Memorial Posts

Tracie Lee Toups Olson ~ Class of 1970

Departed 07/10/09~Breast Cancer

 

 

 

 

 

Obituaries
Tracie Lee Olson
Posted: 07/14/2009 5:56 PM
Tracie Lee Olson, 56, was called by God to come home on July 10, 2009. She passed away peacefully at Central Wyoming Hospice. Tracie was born in Texas City, TX, on Aug 8, 1952, to Ray and Jean Toups and was the 2nd oldest of six children. Her father’s work took the family to Europe and Asia, and she attended grade school in Naples Italy. She graduated from the International School of Bangkok, Thailand, in 1970. When she returned to the United States, she met her soul mate, Randy Olson. They were married Oct. 9, 1970 and settled in Casper, Wyoming where they raised two sons. Tracie worked for the federal government for 25 years and retired as Supervising Budget Analyst and Administrative Officer for the Bureau of Reclamation. Tracie was a favorite Sunday and Vacation Bible School teacher and member of Faith Bible Chapel. One of her passions was teaching young people. She was known for her storytelling and delightful sense of humor. She will always be remembered for scaring her nieces and nephews with a gripping story of “Squish Plop” while floating down the river at dusk. She relished being voted “Gumbo Queen” numerous times over the last two decades at the annual family gumbo cook-off. Tracie also loved the water. Many of Randy and Tracie’s travels took them to a lake or the ocean, where they enjoyed fishing together. Tracie was a breast cancer survivor for 12 years. She enjoyed a full and wonderful life during this period. She encouraged all around her with her witty and whimsical personality. Her greatest joys were her family, her church, and her savior, Jesus Christ. Tracie is survived by her husband of 38 years, Randy Olson, her son, Patrick (Monica) Olson, grandson, Ryun Olson, and father Ray Toups. Her brothers & sisters of Casper include Pete (Christy) Toups, Stephen (Cathy) Toups, Joe (Carol) Toups and Terry (Patrick) Gallagher, as well as Shelly (Ron) Coddington of North Carolina. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Jane (Lyle) Webb of Minnesota and by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Jean Toups, and her son Jacob Olson. Visitation and viewing will be July 14 at Newcomer Funeral Home from 6-8p.m. The funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Wed., July 15, at Faith Bible Chapel with Pastor Dale Fitzsimmons officiating. Burial will follow at the Veterans Cemetery. Colorful casual attire is encouraged. In lieu of flowers, donations to Faith Bible Chapel Sunday School/Youth would be appreciated by the family.

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com

Ann Groom-Blake

Class of 1961

Departed ~ Circa 2008

Complications from a lung transplant

 

Tonia: Ann Groom Blake (Annie) pass away in 2008. She had a lung transplant at John Hopkins and it gave her a few more years, but her body rejected it finally and she passed. Bob Gleason ISB 1962

Kevin Murphy ~ Class of 1971

Departed ~ 7/8/2008 ~ Heart Attack

 

 

 

This saddens me greatly. I recall his gentle quiet nature. We lived in the same apt complex in Bangkok. I recall Kevin and used to play Monopoly while cross legged on the floor listening to the latest records from the US. We were all at an age in Thailand trying to find our way in a foreign land we called home. He made me feel safe out on the streets of Bangkok when we all used to get crazy so late at night. It was fun reconnecting and seeing Kevin at our gatherings in the DC area. Kevin was so easy going, steady, kindhearted, a good listener, non judgmental and one that many can easily call a friend. My heart is very heavy today and my thoughts are with his family.

Marianne Bremseth 71′

 

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com

Ke-Yi Jim “Jimmy” Hsieh

Class of 1962

Departed ~ January 20, 2008

 

 

 

 

Ke-Yi “Jim” Hsieh

HSIEH, Ke-Yi “Jim”The fourth child of Haoling and Janie Lee born on June 2, 1944 in Chongqing, China, died unexpectedly on January 24, 2008, at home in Franklin, TN. He was a resident of Nashville and Williamson County for over 37 years with deep roots. His friends were everywhere. Jim is preceded in death by his parents; son, Erich R. “Yobi” Hsieh from former wife Barbara Ramsey. He is survived by sons, Brent and Loren Hsieh from first wife Carolyn Hall; sisters, Nancy Kuo of West Lafayette, IN and Lucy Yuan of Palo Alto, CA; brother, Johnny Hsieh of Tucson, AZ. Jim had a successful career as an independent commercial artist and illustrator, and was committed to teaching in Adult Literacy Programs. His joyful response to life through his art, music, humor, love of children, food, and service to others in different stations of life, have touched many and will stay with us. A memorial gathering to celebrate Jim’s life will be 2 p.m., Saturday, February 2, 2008 at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 4800 Belmont Park Terrace, Nashville Rev. Randy Hoover-Dempsey officiating. Rev. Will Campbell will provide a remembrance. Bring your families, children, pictures, stories and music. View Jim’s work and life at www.gemihsieh.com.
Seeking Information about Jim Hsieh’s Artwork

Continue reading “Ke-Yi Jim “Jimmy” Hsieh ~ Class of 1962″

Harold Billups ~ Class of 1970

Departed-11/30/07 ~ Details unknown

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail.com

Ricardo Stokes ~ Class of 1970

Departed ~ 4/29/2007~Murdered

 

 

 

 

 

The above pictures were submitted by Bill Jadwin 71′.

Continue reading “Ricardo Stokes ~ Class of 1970”

Michael Noss ~ Class of 1971

Departed ~ 03/16/2006 ~ Persistent brain tumor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hear Michael sitting in on bass with The Still Remains at the Dallas Reunion 1996

Michael died this evening at 9:45pm. I was with him, beginning another round of memories with his best friend Dave Elder and David Wilkerson, also from Bangkok days, and his sister Sarah, all of whom arrived in time to sit with him, and say goodbye, as his breathing became more labored. It was clear that it was that strong Noss heart pounding a few more minutes on the planet, and then, a slower pace of breathing, and then, as peaceful a transition as could be given. Just peaceful.

David Wilkerson got a bottle of red wine from the car, we toasted our Michael. he cell phoned a few of the ISB (International School of Bangkok friends). I called Patrick, who is with his friends tonight. My brother came with the file on the cremation policy. The friends and sister left, and I had some quiet time with this man who loved me, and was so damaged, and all the unmet dreams were left to also let go.

Tomorrow begins the details of disengagement, calls and coordination, and moving Patrick to his new place. I think it is good for him to move forward as much as he still can within the other workings, which are mostly mine to handle.

A sweet and pure soul, a kind and non-judgmental ease, a life with a persistent tumor that impacted his ability to win against his demons, but in the end, cleared away everything but that gentle nature.

I couldn’t save him, I could only keep him safe, and that I did, it was our journey, he taught me much, and gave me the chance to be the parent of Patrick.

So begins another day, another step, but as you know, and Susan Sarandon said so well in Bull Durham, Michael Also “Believed in the Church of Baseball”

Anne Noss

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com

Nirankar Narula ~ Class of 1970

Departed October 2005 ~ Cancer

 

 

 

 

 

From Valerie, Nirankar’s widow:

This is a brief summary of Nick’s life after ISB.

Nick left BKK to go to Fresno State University. A year later when then Governor Ronald Reagan raised tuition for foreign students he left California for Houston, Texas to attend University of Houston. He graduated in 1975 with a degree in business. In 1979, we married in Houston and lived here until his death. We have 2 daughters. We have our own business which designed and imported our own label of clothing called Casey Coleman. The clothes were manufactured in BKK and India.

The entire family would visit BKK every summer for business and pleasure. Nick’s family still lives in BKK and was also involved in the production of Casey Coleman. Every year as a family we traveled to a new destination in Asia and Europe which Nick and I really loved to do. We were able to create so many memories with our girls.

In 1999, while traveling in Australia, Nick began noticing sinus congestion that continually worsened. By December, he was diagnosed with a rare sinus nasal cancer. He went for treatment here at M. D. Anderson hospital in Houston. The treatments were able to help him live with cancer for 6 years. During those years when he was well we continued to work and travel as a family like in past years. Nick kept up with circle of friends that he met while at U of H as well as many other friends from around the globe. He believed he was a citizen of the world.

The girls and I have been able to keep our yearly travel plans that remind us of our family adventures with Nick.

With best regards,
Valerie

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com