ACBL Unit 225
East Texas
United States
acblunit
2021
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 95th 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
Barbara Williams passed away on Aug. 20th at the home of her daughter in Eustace after a brief illness. She was our director in Gun Barrel for over 10 years and a dear friend to so many. Barbara loved directing, but did get to play with her partners Jo Booth and Rachel Lee when she got a chance. She loved going to tournaments and had attained the Silver Life Master rank. We will truly miss her.
Mary Hinkle, Gold Life Master, passed away in June. A native of
Oklahoma, she not only played bridge but was an accomplished artist. She was honored by her hometown with an art exhibit several years ago. Her primary bridge partner was her husband, Dick, and, a number of years ago while playing at a church in Tyler, she partnered with Ed Stewart. Mary will be missed by all her bridge friends.
Paul March
Members of the Sheila Bell DBC in Texarkana said farewell to friend and fellow player Paul March, age 82, who died on 3/11. "An empty chair was turned down in his memory at our Club today. He was an avid Bridge player and a true gentleman. He will missed and he will live on in our hearts and our memories," stated Lisa Looney.
Rick Davis
Rick Davis passed away in the hospital on January 15th at the age of 72 with Karen, his wife of 49 years, at his side. He had serious medical problems these last few years, but he lived life to the fullest as he continued to be active in his church, duplicate bridge, travelling with friends and supporting various charity endeavors. Rick served on our Unit 225 Board several terms and he and Karen held committee positions on 2 of the Tournament of Stars regional events. His regular duplicate games were with Karen at Canton’s Monday night game and with Barry Daniels on Wednesdays in Gun Barrel. He and Karen were big supporters of ACBL’s “The Longest Day”, working hard to provide door prizes for the event and raising money for Alzheimer’s Assoc. We will miss Rick greatly.
Rick was a graduate of California State Polytechnic University in Pomona where he met Karen. He earned an MA in education at Chapman Univ. in CA, an MA in counseling from Pepperdine Univ. and did post graduate work at Univ. of Southern California in educational leadership. During his career with the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District in California, he was a high school math teacher, head coach for swimming and water polo, high school administrator and Director of Personnel. He was also Adjunct Professor for Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego.
Karen has asked that any gifts in memory of Rick be sent to “Celebrate Forever Families”, P O Box 216, Kaufman, Tx 75142. This local, non-profit organization is committed to reaching mothers and their children in crisis and maintains a facility in Kemp large enough to provide individual private living space for up to 12 families. To learn more, go to www.foreverfamiliesprogram.org.
2018
Richard Bryant, Silver Life Master, passed away this past weekend (11/9). Richard played regularly in Longview, monthly Unit games, and area tournaments. On Mondays in Longview and at Unit games, his regular partner was Tom Spradlin and he played with Mike Graham at LDBC's monthly Saturday game. Prior to moving to Henderson, TX, Richard was director of a bridge club in Michigan. He will be missed by all that knew him.
Chester Neel passed away on Tues., 9/21, at the age of 75.
(Note: The following was received from Jean Roach, Partnership Chair at The Bridge Studio at Cedar Creek.)
Chester Neel passed away on Tues., 9/21, in a Tyler hospital at the age of 75. He had serious health problems that he bravely faced, including hospitalizations, but he always came back to playing bridge as much as he could. He loved duplicate and Bonnie Magee was his regular partner for games on Wednesday & Friday at Gun Barrel City. As partnership person for our club, Chester was my favorite player to call. It happened more than once…Chester and a novice coming in first. Chester was always a gentleman at the table!
Bonnie’s regular partner was not able to play on Mon, 9/20, so she asked Chester to play. They came in first. Later that evening, his wife Suzanne took him to the hospital and Chester died the next afternoon at 2:30. Bonnie says there are 3 kinds of bridge: Standard American, Two Over One and Chester bridge.
Bobby May, aged 82, was a long time bridge player at Longview DBC. Bobby, born in Gilmer on March 13, 1936, retired from Texas Eastman Company after a long career. He died on Aug. 7, 2018.
Nancy Louise Peterson Strain
29 August 1926 - 13 July 2018
Nancy retired as a gift manufacturer representative from her own corporation on 5th Avenue in New York City. She was a strong, independent woman, with a feisty, but playful sense of humor. She loved attending church, caring for cats, solving crossword puzzles, and the camaraderie at the bridge studio. Nancy loved playing bridge so much she built a new home for the Dottie Pirkle’s DBC in downtown Athens, TX in January 2007. She always looked forward to her Monday’s and Thursday’s at the bridge club and never came without something for everyone to snack on. She will be missed by all her friends. (For the complete obituary, click here.)
-Copyright 2014 ACBL Unit 225. All rights reserved.
ACBL Unit 225
East Texas
United States
acblunit