2021

 

 Helene Hall

1937-2021

Helene Ruzicka Hall, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, June 18. Helene attended Woodrow Wilson High School where she excelled as an artist for the school newspaper and yearbook. She studied geology and business at the University of Texas at Austin and later began her career at Sun Oil.

In eighth grade, Helene met the love of her life, Jack Curtis Hall, and they were married August 20, 1960. After spending the first few years of marriage in Dallas, the Halls relocated to Longview to raise their family. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last year.

Helene and Jack were the proud parents of one daughter, Whitney Hall Schaap, and her beloved husband Troy. The joy and light of Helene’s life were her grandchildren: Jackson and Payton Schaap.

Helene was adept at using her artistic talent and creativity to benefit the Longview community with enduring programs. By forging relationships with area dry cleaners, she developed the “Cool Cat Coat Sale” where free coats were distributed to underprivileged children. This effort evolved to become what is now the “Coats for Kids” program.

Always valuing intellectual curiosity and competition, Helene excelled in bridge playing and belonged to five different bridge groups over her lifetime. Two of Helene's favorite partners were Linda Baker and Patsy Wood. Always a gracious lady at the table, she will be missed by all her bridge friends 



 

Don Bartley

 

Donald Orvin “Don” Bartley, 85, was freed from the prison of Parkinson’s disease and dementia on April 27 at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler.

 

George Earl Bennett, M.D., 96 of Marshall, TX, passed away on Feb. 5, 2021 in Marshall, Texas.

 

 Dr. Bennett played at the Longview Duplicate Club in years past and, according to Mike Graham, donated funds regularly to help pay the club's rent.

 

Dr. Bennett attended college at the College of Marshall and The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Bennett got called to service in 1943 where he would serve in World War II. He was in the U.S. Air Force as a navigator on a B-29 bomber, based on Tinian Island. George and his crew flew 24 bombing missions over Japan.

After the service, he married the love of his life, Inagene McMillan of Hughes Springs. He graduated from Tulane University Medical School in 1951. Dr. Bennett practiced medicine in Marshall for 48 years and served as chief of staff at the Marshall Hospital.



 

 Betty Willkinson

1934-2021

Betty Lea Wilkinson, 86, died on March 25, 2021, at her home in Athens, TX. She was born on December 6, 1934, in Nocona, TX. Betty worked as a government accountant most of her life. She became the Chief Financial Officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Besides the passion for her family, Betty had a strong love for the game of bridge and had earned the Life Master title. To read Betty's complete obituary, click here. 

Sympathy cards sent to Betty’s Athens address should be forwarded to her family.  That address is 5 Oak Wood Place Dr., Athens, Tx 75751.

 

A Tribute to Betty by Jean Roach

I know I speak for many of Betty’s friends when I describe her as dependable, loyal, intelligent… and lots of fun!  I learned so much partnering with her over these last 12 years, though I seldom played with her more than once a week.  Some of her regular partners were Ursula Brooks, Sandy Molander, Gloria Rowland, Jo Ann Parten, Mary Priest, Ginger Rhamey, Jo Booth, Joyce Austin and probably others I've failed to recall.

Betty served as president of our unit doing an excellent job.  Prior to that, she was the unit’s parliamentarian. She attended most of the unit games for years and truly enjoyed tournament play. She was a regular in Canton, Athens and Gun Barrel clubs until this past December when her health condition worsened.  We will miss her so much! 



 Helen Sullivan

Helen Joyce Sullivan, 83, passed away on March 02, 2021, in her Mount Vernon home.  She was born on April 24, 1937, in Monett, Missouri.

Helen was resident of Mount Vernon and was a retired Escrow Officer. She loved playing bridge but especially enjoyed her time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her three children, five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

 

Tribute to Helen by Linda Harrison

Helen was a regular player in the Pittsburg and Lake Cypress Springs DBC. She played very few conventions but that did not impact her game.  In fact, she was an excellent player and usually got points regardless. She had great card insights and was a tough competitor. When you sat down at Helen’s table, she often beat you with a smile on her face.  

Helen had a wonderful sense of humor. In fact, one of her partners apologized for making an error by saying, “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”  Helen replied abruptly, “Then you need to practice thinking." Helen was willing to play with many different partners and stayed with her basic winning game. Some of her regular partners were Jean Huskey, Cliff Smith, and Fredye Alford and she even won points playing with Frank Harrison.  

Cliff commented that Helen was such a special lady and that he loved playing bridge with her.  Helen will be greatly missed at the bridge table!  

 

Charles R Kemp

12/18/1930 - 1/18/2021

Longview DBC lost one of its finest and most faithful players on 1/18, with the passing of Charlie Kemp at the age of 91.

Charlie was a financial advisor for 51 years with Principal Financial Securities & Wells Fargo Advisors. Charlie worked into his mid-80s before retiring in 2016.

Upon his retirement, he and Margie, his wife and bridge partner of 68 years, were regulars at the Longview DBC playing three times a week. They also played occasionally at the Tyler Rose City DBC on Fridays, the monthly Unit 225 games, at the Lake Cypress Wine & Cheese, and local tournaments.

A fierce competitor, Charlie will posthumously be the recipient of the Ace of Clubs award for Unit 225 for 2020 in the 500-1000 masterpoint category.

Charlie took great pride in the fact that he and Margie had been bridge partners for the better part of seven decades. He was a gentleman at the table and away from it. He was a truly generous benefactor for LDBC and spearheaded the fund to purchase its dealing machine.

Charlie will be dearly missed at the club. Any time his fellow players look at the coffee pot, they will be reminded of Charlie who did love his coffee! RIP our friend!

--Mike Graham





 

 Dorothy McCasland

1930-2021

Duplicate Bridge lost one of its most passionate players on Jan. 4, 2021, with the passing of  Dorothy McCasland, a Sapphire Life Master. Dorothy was a former Board member of Unit 225.

Born in Mills County, Texas, .Dorothy was a member of Greer Boulevard Church of Christ in Pittsburg, Tx,  where she taught children’s bible classes for 25 plus years. Dorothy was very civic minded and made many contributions on a local and state level. Many of those contributions are listed her obituary which can be read here.

 

Tributes to Dorothy:

 

I met Dorothy playing in Mineola years ago. She asked me to with her, and when her husband Larry died, she asked me if I could take his dates. I was already playing in Longview and I asked Dorothy to play with me there. We added the unit game as a regular date as well as local and area tournaments. We became dear friends until the end and talked on the phone every day. We traveled together and met for lunch and dinner regularly. I will miss my dear friend so much. 

--Nelda Avent

Dorothy loved duplicate bridge and always supported Unit 225, and her local clubs in Longview and Pittsburg. If there was a game nearby, she was there!  Always dressed nicely and ready to play.  Dorothy relayed to me that she especially loved playing with her first partner, Vashti Fuller, and that they usually came home winners when traveling to games and tournaments.   Dorothy also assisted Nelda Avent and Mike Graham, her friends and partners  with tournaments and bridge games.  She was a loyal supporter and player. Mike Graham was a regular partner as well and Dorothy loved playing with Mike and they usually came in first.   In Pittsburg and Longview Dorothy also partnered with Liz Guthrie and they had lots of winning games too. Dorothy attained her Sapphire Life Master rank with 3500+ master points.  

Dorothy was a bridge advocate and recruiter. In fact, she is responsible for getting me playing duplicate.  After playing in a few Pittsburg party games with Dorothy in 2006, she invited me to play in the Mineola duplicate game directed by Mike Graham. Kenneth Jeffery was my partner and he tolerated my novice play but Dorothy had started me on a duplicate bridge journey that has opened so many opportunities to learn and meet wonderful friends. Dorothy will truly be missed as an excellent player, loyal supporter and bridge advocate as well as a friend!  

--Linda Harrison

 

Dorothy McCasland was a member of the Longview DBC and the Pittsburg DBC and played regularly at the Unit 225 games in Tyler. A Sapphire Life Master, Dorothy and her longtime regular partner, Vashti Fuller, were one of the most formidable partnerships in our unit for many years. 

In the last two decades, Dorothy’s regular partners were Nelda Avent, Liz Guthrie, Mike Graham and Beth Hankins, as well as several others she enjoyed playing with on occasion.  At one of Dorothy’s final games at LDBC, she had an 81.25% game. She never strayed from playing her basic Goren convention card, but even not playing many of the newer methods, she was one of the finest players in Unit 225.

--Mike Graham



--ET (Edwyna Testerman)



 

 

 

 2020

 

Dan Cowling

 

Our dear friend, Dan Cowling, passed away on Nov. 1, at home as the result of a heart attack. Although he had tested positive for COVID-19, his symptoms were mild and were being treated.

 

Years ago, Dan had told his family that he did not want a funeral service and his wishes are being respected. 

 

Dan was a Bronze Life Master and played regularly in Canton. He will be greatly missed by his many, many bridge friends.

 



 

Bonnie Gorman

1923-2020

With great sadness, Unit 225 bids farewell to one of its brightest stars, Bonnie Jo Robertson Gorman, who passed away on Oct. 1, 2020, at the age of 97.

Born on July 6, 1923, Bonnie lived most of her life in Gilmer, Texas. She would tell you that she was fortunate to have had two wonderful husbands, Durwyn Robertson and Vance Gorman. She is survived by her son, Eddie Robertson and his wife Rusty, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In her earlier days, Bonnie taught home economics at Gilmer ISD and retired after 30 years in the education field. After retirement, she was owner of the Gilmer Flower Shop. Bonnie traveled extensively and enjoyed every day to its fullest.

Bonnie never met a stranger at the bridge table and welcomed all players with her ever present smile. At the age of 97, Bonnie was still playing bridge at the Longview Duplicate Bridge Club and with her social groups. Among her many partners, two of her most favorite were Janie Wolaver and Betty Finney. Bonnie accomplished the rank of Life Master thru local and tournament play. She will be fondly remembered by her friends as the “Queen of No Trump.”



Lynn Walker

From Ginger Rhamey and Susan Ford::

The last of our “greatest generation” Lynn Walker, bridge friend, has quietly spread her wings and joined her husband, Bob, on Aug. 23.

 Her last days were filled with love and phone calls from her children, grandchildren, and friends. Although she couldn’t talk to them her face would light up with her gorgeous smile and she would raise her eyebrows and sometimes manage a precious word or two. 

 Lynn lived life to the fullest while living in different countries, teaching children of their workers, and even plowing her beloved farm. She will be missed by all who had the privilege to know her. 

 

From Paula Edwards:

I remember playing with Lynn in Athens. She and I were playing against Nancy Green and some fellow from out-of-town. He bid a major, I overcalled with a beautiful diamond suit and about 11 points; Nancy supported her partner; then Lynn jumped to 5 diamonds; he bid 5 of his major; followed by a fast pass from me and Nancy; and Lynn bids 6 diamonds; he doubles; and all pass. I’m figuring how many I’m going down when Nancy leads her A to Lynn’s void and 5 diamonds! We made 6 doubled. The guy said he would never double again She was a bidder and never to be underestimated .A great lady and a joy. 

 

 

We pay tribute to Sharon Whatley, former Unit 225 member and director of the Ore City Duplicate Bridge Club, who died on June 6, 2020. Sharon, a life master, loved bridge and played regularly while living in Longview. A friend to all who knew her, Sharon had a kind and gentle spirit even while beating you at the bridge table. Her thoughtfulness was especially felt by new players as she kindly taught them the intracacies of bridge etiquette. Sharon lost her long battle with cancer while living close to her family in North Carolina. If you would like to read her complete obituary, click here.

---

 

 2019

 

 

Peggy Wright

Peggy Wright, a member of the Nacogdoches Duplicate Club since its inception in the 1950s, passed away on Nov. 26. She was a Silver Life Master. Peggy and I were partners for the last 10-12 years. She had an outstanding record of service to Stephen F. Austin State University, to Nacogdoches and to our duplicate club. Her passing was noted as front page news in the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel.  (Her Obituary can be read at www.dailysentinel.com) She was ever gracious and willing to serve. She never fussed. I cannot count the number of times I had to lay down a hand I had bid with nothing and say to anyone who would listen, “She’s going to kill me!” Peggy never blinked an eye. With surgical precision, she went to work and, most of the time, she made the contract. The photo shown here is in celebration of her 95^th birthday at the club.

--commentary and photo by Gay Roach



 

Emily Leake

Emily was born in Oklahoma City, OK, and

moved to Ft. Worth at a young age. She graduated from Arlington Heights High School and then went to the University of Texas where she graduated in just 3 years and met the love of her life, Wayne.

She was a member of Marvin United Methodist Church and loved the Friendly Class. She enjoyed going to Bridge tournaments and became a Life Master in her early twenties. Emily loved her husband, family and friends, Bridge, Bourbon, the Texas Longhorns and life. We will miss her wonderful sense of humor and honesty.

(Note: To read Emily's complete obituary, click here.)

Here are some tributes paid to Emily from friends in Unit 225:

 

Emily was my longtime  bridge partner and friend through the years, and we went to many tournaments including  as far away as Vancouver, British Columbia, Naples, Florida, and all of the major cities  of Texas and were fortunate to win many points and awards.  As all of you fellow bridge players know, she was an excellent bridge player and a vivacious, fun partner.  I was indeed fortunate to have her as a partner for so many, many years and will always cherish the happy memories. -- Brenda Baker

 

She (Emily) was my teacher and my friend.  I liked what was said in her obituary.   "Emily loved her husband, family and friends, Bridge, Bourbon, the Texas Longhorns and life. We will miss her wonderful sense of humor and honesty."  I think that sums up Emily quite nicely.  I will miss her.

--Cheryl Landers, Cheyene WY



"I began duplicate lessons in 1999 with Emily. She was an excellent teacher very helpful and very funny. She created a love for the game in all her students. After several lessons she threw us into the lion’s den. It was tough, but it was said if you could play in Emily’s game you could play anywhere. It was the toughest game around. She will be greatly missed."

-- Nancy Green

 

"Emily was an excellent bridge instructor and mentor.  She was always willing to answer questions and give tips to me as a novice. The best bridge lessons I ever received was when she allowed me to bring in hands that had given us trouble in various tournaments and she gave us guidance on how to bid and play them."  --Sandra O’Bannon

 

"Emily was my first Duplicate Bridge Teacher in 2009  and got me “hooked on duplicate bridge”. I had played social bridge since my nursing school days and always enjoyed it.  Once I understood the challenge of learning duplicate from Emily’s fast moving class, I was inspired to keep learning and keep playing. I appreciate so much Emily’s many contributions to Unit 225 and its players!" --Linda Harrison

 

"Emily was such a precious lady! Sue(Ritschel) and I would get to Tyler early on Wednesday and Emily would teach us new bids, work with us on our defense and play of the hand. We learned a lot from her.  I will always remember her cute personality and her great laugh! She was a jewel! Loved that gal!!!  --Noelene Hardy

 

"My favorite memory of Emily occurred at the Longview sectional tournament many years ago when she and I were partners. In the two session open pairs  on Saturday there were a lot of strong Dallas players there including Hugh and Mary Joe Hillaker. After the first session the Hillakers were in first and Emily and I were in second. There were two sections and we didn’t play them the first session as they were in the opposite one. When the second session commenced, Emily & I started against the Hillakers. As the director gave his instructions, he said “pass your boards down two tables and E/W pairs move up one table. Emily was delighted, and we ended up first & the Hillakers second. Great fun!" --Mike Graham

"Emily was a good director of the bridge club in Tyler. She had her way of novices coming to the club, in educating them with the conventions and how to apply them. I understand she was a good teacher in explaining the bidding and playing of hands. We definitely will miss her presence in Tyler." --Rathnam