Dear Jones Boys,

 

     I know I tell you how much I enjoyed being at KWU with you, but one thing I may not have remembered to say is how proud I am of you guys too.  I'm proud of your seccesses - of your skills and talents, of your hard work and accomplishments, of your dreams and plans.

     I'm proud of the person, I knew at KWU and grateful for the joy you gave to me.  You are all such special people and I have been blessed to have been able to be your coach.

     Daughter Jessica is 15 and a freshman in high school.  She is looking for someone like Barney Gray.  But dad won't let her date anhone who can drive.  (Sorry, Barney).  She'll be available next year.  Wife Kathleen will complete work on Ph.D at Kansas State in January.  I keep plugging along.  We are 6-7 after playing 12 of 13 on the road.  Looks pretty good for second half of season although we will have a hard time being a league contender.  (Picked 7th of 8).  We won't be seventh.  Won one tournament over big rival Bethel (Like Bethany) at their place for second year in a row. 

     Here's some of the news from the returned sheets.  Thanks for sharing and I've enclosed a second sheet if I didn't hear from you on the first one.

     Lonnie (Electric Man) Vance is married, two children (Tameira & Lonnie Jr.)  He's joined the church in Muncie, and works for ABB.  Still plays ball and bowls.

     Ricky Gray is the only black policeman in Ellsworth, KS.  Ricky lives in Kanoplis and wants to work on the State Drug Task Force.  He is a real family man so far as law enforcement allow anyway.

     From assistant coach Mike Kopmeyer,  "I know I do a lousy job of keeping in touch, but I think of you often...God Bless you guys.  Your friend for life and then some."

     Scott Wiltfong got married in June to Brenda Krull.  Banking business in Doniphan, Neb, as a loan officer.

     Eric "Easy E" went overseas last summer to play semi-pro basketball.  He was with the Vasda Stare in Portugal and played teams such as Nicholls State, Alabama State, Samford, New Orleans and Troy State.  When not playing is Assistant Recreation Director in Atlanta.  No children, now woman, but hobby is clubing?"

     Change of careers for Scott Bennett.  Now runs his own brokerage business-Permerica Financial Services.  Several messages from Scott:

  "Russ, I've got two tickets for the Chiefs/Broncos game, call me!"

  "Razor, Let's play golf, call me."

  "J.T., What's up?"

  "Gus and Billy, When are we going on a float fishing trip?"

  "Paul Walters, Where y'at?"

  "Bryan Ward, You never call back, I always talk to Beth."

     Simon Emidy is a Navy Corpsman assigned special forces with the Marines.  Trying to get with the SEALS or BUDS (underwater demolition)  Climbing buildings and jumping out of helicopters.

     Roy Lawrence.  Activity Director and Assistant coach at St. John's Military Academy.  Should become Head Basketball Coach soon.  Travels summer and works basketball camps.

     Chris Hutzler and Jane have no children yet, but a dog named Sasha who is treated like a child.  Moving up in the actuary world.  Move to Plano, TX.  Considering an MBA.  Still playing recreational ball.

     Russ Pleiman completed degree at KWU.  Says Kevin Brown is back in Denver getting heavy.  Road racing up mountains on a bicycle, restoring '68 Mustang convertible.  (Russ sent a six page letter I've read 100 times.)  Give special love to Jan and Barry Trulson for making KWU home for Russ.

     Ryan Ellis.  Adult Offenders Caseworker wants ex-con, cellmate Todd Clark to call.  Married (Liz) and live in Littleton, CO.  Hi to early years Jerry's Kids especially the "Sorry-Ass All-Americans."

     Barney Gray graduates in March with MBA from Northwestern.  Owns and manages two buildings.  Still project manager for IBM.  Obtaining license for being an entertainment agent.  "Enjoy every day of your life as if it is your last because one day, it will be."

     Ray and Molly Kujawa live in Manhattan, KS.  Ray coaches basketball and track and teaches math.  Looking for a head basketball job and then will start a family.  Quite a golfer now.

     Lance Taylor and Ed Spears mail returned.  Where are these guys and Paul Waltersssssssss?

     Dave Frederick went back to Salina this summer:  "Ben (the redheaded crewcut maintenance man) let me in the gym.  I was there for two hours by myself.  It was great.  I looked at the banner on the wall and remembered the undefeated streak we had in that gym my senior year.  Jim Montague (maintenance & security guy with mustache) came in and didn't recognize me.  He says 'Hey, you're not supposed to be in here.  Do you have any affiliation to the camps or the school?'  I pointed to the banner and said, 'Right There!'  Then he remembered me and we talked.  Jim said it hasn't been the same."

     Brian Mitchell is YMCA Sports Director in Garden City.  He's been on Sunflower Games Board of Directors.  Going to Fort Hays for masters in sports administration.  Wife - Crystal from Hugoton, KS, daughter - Jordan.  Mitch calls me regularly on Kansas Juco talent.  "Tell Russ the Denver Donkey will choke again."

     Mike and Julie Cox plus 2 (Joshua and Austin).  Still playing in tournaments in basketball, softball and volleyball.  New house with hot tub deck.  Saw James McGill in Wichita.  "He and I are the oldest Jones Boys."

     Billy Smith, "I miss all you guys and wish I could see you.  We were a close group and those times will be thought of forever."  Still in building supply business, enjoy the work and love the money.  Wife - Yvette and March 23, 1992, daughter, Jessica Marie.  Playhing a lot of golf and basketball.

     Brad Bingesser.  No serious engagements.  Fotball and basketball assistant coach at KWU.  Teach at Roosevelt-Lincoln Middle School and coach softball at Salina Central HS.  Can't afford to take a full-time job at KWU.  Working on degree at Kansas State.

     Carl Ellis is selling computers, but Hollywood is calling.  He's up for a part in "The Air Up There."  Universal has called Coach Jones about Carl a couple of times.  No marriage yet for Carl.

     Darcy Parrish is marketing for concerts that travel around the country.  Those shirts, photos, albums, etc.  Couple of guys have seen Darcy, but I haven't heard from his this year.

     Howard Alexander has been working for the Houston Police Force in payroll; but he left for Iowa where he and Angela plan to marry.  Aaron Andre is two years old now.  "Tell everyone I miss them and love them very much and my God Bless them all."

     Coach Mike Kopmeyer had his left knee joint replaced.  Walked 18 holes ten weeks after surgery and broke 90 (88).  Endlessly counsels the worse juvenile offenders imaginable.  Plans for the future are to die and run out of money at the same time.

     Tim Parker and Julie are expecting in February.  I'll be looking forward to seeing the baby.

     REMEMBER THOSE 'REMARKS FOR THE GOOD OF THE TEAM? 

  This from Scott Bennett:

     "On the fields of hesitation lie millions of bones of countless individuals, who at the dawn of victory, sat down to rest, and in resting, died."

  This from Barney Gray:  (My wife loved this one.)

     "Listen to the Coach, although it may seem he has no idea what he is talking about, as he is usually pretty accurate."

  From Billy Smith:

     "Enjoy Jerry Jones while you can.  The lessons he will teach you will not seem important till later.  Basketball will end!  Enjoy it while you can."

 

     I wasn't that good of a teacher, while you guys were KWU's team; but I loved you Jones Boys, then and now.

 

Ol' Coach Jones