Paula Paul Blanton

Paula Paul Blanton

April 2, 1952 – December 22, 2024

Paula Lynn Paul Blanton was born to Robert Clyde Paul and Jan Mary Adams on April 2, 1952 in Dallas, Texas. She grew up in Dallas where she attended Lake Highlands High School. She was a member of the Lake Highlandettes drill team. After high school, Paula attended Abilene Christian University where she was a member of GATA sorority and pursued a degree in Physical Education. As divine fate would have it, she met a redhead from Amarillo, TX by the name of Pat Blanton. Patrick was the love of her life. They married on February 24, 1973 and shared over 52 years of undying devotion and marriage together which continues to leave a great impact on all.

Upon college graduation at West Texas A&M University, Paula founded a successful interior plantscaping business by the name of Plantspan Incorporated. For over 46 years, she was the CEO and President of the family-owned business, which grew under her talents with all things horticulture and creating beauty. Paula had a diligent work ethic which led to the many meaningful relationships that she formed with long-standing clients who knew just how special she was. Paula also worked for Delta Airlines for a time where she formed many lifelong friendships as well.

Patrick and Paula are the parents to their daughters Sara Brooke Blanton, Rebecca Lynn Burton and her husband Taylor, Haley Beth Blanton, and their son Stetson Patrick Blanton; grandchildren include Stella, Graham, Gray, Tatiana, Paul, and Costner.

To know Paula was to love her. It is rare that this can truthfully be said about anyone, but in her case it was the absolute truth. She cherished her family, valued her friends, and was unwavering in her faith at all times. She loved to laugh, spend time with her dogs, enjoyed watching Hallmark movies, being a part of her book club, and enjoyed all sporting events.

Paula is survived by her husband, Patrick, their three daughters and one son, and six grandchildren. She is also survived by her father, Robert Paul and her brother, Chris Paul, as well as a host of many special friends and family. Paula was preceded in death by her mother, Jan Lacey. Her legacy will be treasured by her family, friends, and loved ones. Her faith, kindness, and love will be carried on as a testament to how she lived her life.

On December 22, 2024, Paula was victorious in her 9 year battle with cancer and was given complete healing. She was a fierce warrior. This is the day the Lord hath made. We will rejoice and be glad in it… for He has claimed what it His and taken His daughter home. Praise our Holy One.

A Celebration of Paula’s life will be held on January 4, 2025 at 11 am at The Hills Church, located at 6300 NE Loop 820, North Richland Hills, TX 76180. There will be a visitation an hour prior to service at 10am. A private family burial will be held afterwards. Never forget!

Randall Blair Ashby 1952-2021

Randall Blair Ashby
1952-2021

Randall Blair Ashby died unexpectedly Friday, March 19, 2021. Randy was born in Gatesville, Texas on January 27, 1952 to Paul and Eleanor Ashby, the third of four boys. He was a 6th generation Texan. His mother's family, the Blairs, arrived in 1845, and the Ashby family in 1854. He graduated from Lake Highlands High School in North Dallas in 1970, and the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a B.B.A. in Marketing with honors. He went on to study law and received his J.D. degree from the University of Houston Bates College of Law.
Waiting for his bar results, he worked at a restaurant as a server, the job that was the most consequential of his life. It was there that he met Mary. They married in 1982 and joyfully welcomed Timothy Andrew in 1989 and Matthew Paul in 1996. Randy loved Mer and their boys more than anything, especially cherishing their time camping and hiking together in the Texas Hill Country.

Upon graduating from law school, Randy worked as an attorney with the City of Houston Prosecutor's Office, then practiced law at Ross Banks. He was a partner at Waldron & Schneider for 28 years, joining the firm shortly after it was founded.

Randy was very active in his community, serving on the boards of the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, the Armand Bayou Nature Center, and was a member of The O.N.E. Group.

Randy's love of singing started early when he and his brothers would harmonize together as a family. His beautiful tenor voice was enjoyed by the members of St. Rose of Lima and St. Clare of Assisi Catholic parishes. He was also a former member of the Houston Choral Society.
Randy is survived by Mary, his loving wife of almost 39 years; sons, Timothy (fiancée Angela), and Matthew; brothers, Jerry Ashby and his wife, Sharon, and Doug Ashby and his wife, Cindy; sister-in-law, Tina Ashby; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Therese Behrendt, Margaret and Ben Denson, Gary and Kuniko Wahlen, Joanne and Robert Johnson, David Wahlen, and Lissa Goodwin. He is also survived by many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Eleanor and Paul Ashby: brother, Wendell Ashby, aunts Doris Denman and Roberta Powell; his father and mother-in-law, Hank and Gloria Wahlen; and brothers-in-law, Greg Goodwin and Frank Behrendt.

Randy was an honorable man whose faith guided him throughout his life. His gentle nature and big hugs will be missed by all.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, April 9, 2021 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 3600 Brinkman, in Houston Texas.
If desired, donations can be made to: Armand Bayou Nature Center, PO Box 58828, Houston, TX. 77258; Birthright of Houston, 1200 Blalock Rd. Ste. 104, Houston, TX. 77055; or Texas Parks and Wildlife, 2914 Swiss Avenue, Dallas, TX. 75204; or a charity of your choice.
For more information or to leave a condolence, please visit josephjearthman.com.

Stephen Michael Johnson

Steven Michael Johnson, age 68, passed away peacefully at home on May 31, 2020, after a hard-fought battle against cancer and accompanying health issues. Steve was born in Kansas City, MO to Charles and Anna Lee Johnson on December 10, 1951. He Spent his childhood all over the Midwest until settling in Dallas, TX for his best high school years. There he was a proud member of the Lake Highlands Wildcat Football Team and graduated with the class of 1970.

After high school Steve attended UTA in Texas before moving to California where he majored in English Literature at US Santa Barbara. He was born bibliophile with a true passion for book and poetry. His other great love was music. Steve loved discovering new bands/singers/song writer before they were famous. If you asked him, he basically discovered Bruce Springsteen.

In 1978 Steve bought a lawnmower which led to the establishment of Steve Johnson Landscaping and a successful 40 year career creating natural works of art to bring to people joy. He was meticulous with his work and enjoyed getting to know his customers. His earliest business cards offered “Intellectual Conversation Free of Charge!” Steve loved nothing more than meaningful conversations and making other laugh with his quirky sense of humor.

He loved his landscaping business and being part of his community. For many years, Steve enjoyed teaching citizenship and landscaping classes at night through the South Bay Adult School. He was also an active member of AA for decades and treasured his “Manly Man” meetings as he called them. Our family would like to thank his AA family, especially his sponsor, for saving and supporting him; you helped him to feel a part of something much bigger than himself.

in 2011, Steve was diagnosed with Throat cancer. He endured unforgiving treatment and went into remission, but it left his body vulnerable to complications. He fought incredibly hard for his daughter, for his sisters and for time with his granddaughter. When he had exhausted his body and spirit, Steve passed away at home comfortably and peacefully, just the way he wanted.

Our Dad was not a religious man, but if we were to paint a picture of heaven for him, it would consist of: great literature, the perfect cup of coffee, a vast record collection, long meandering drives, strolls through botanical gardens, the Browns winning the Super Bowl, visits with friends and family, and more time with his granddaughters. We love him and will forever miss him, his humor, his illness… he was one of a kind. He was ours.

Steve will be missed by sisters Linda, Judy and Jennifer; daughters Corie (Kyle) and Stephanie, and grand daughters Wyatt and Heidi.

David Power in Memory

David Richard Power, age 67, of Wimberley, Texas was born in Victoria, TX on May 20th, 1952 to James Talford Power II and Doris Jean Britton Power. He passed away on April 17th, 2020.

David graduated from Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, TX in 1970. While attending high school at Lake Highlands he was a drum major and was a two time member of the all state band in 1969 and 1970. After graduating he went on to attend college at the University of Texas at Austin where he was a member of the Longhorn band from 1970-1971, a member of the University of Texas Symphonic band from 1970-1973 and a member of the University of Texas Symphonic wind/string ensemble in 1973. He graduated from UT in 1974.

David married Mary Beth Evans on October 2nd, 1976. They welcomed their son, Ben on November 22nd, 1986. David retired from the State of Texas with 23 years of service in October 2009. David was a man of honesty and integrity. He will be sorely missed by many friends and family members.

He is survived by his son Ben; brother, James, sister in law Alyson Anderson and her husband Rodney, brother in law Terry Evans and his wife Donna and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. David's funeral service were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 24 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas. A Memorial Service will be conducted in the fall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of choice. God bless David and may he rest in eternal peace.

Published in Austin American-Statesman on May 11, 2020

Ken Kelly in Memory Wildcat 70

Dan Jordan reached out this morning to share that Ken Kelly passed on 12-15 years ago. If anyone has memories it would be good to share them.

In Memory of Steve Brogoitti

We were notified this weekend of the death of Steve Brogoitti from a fellow classmate, Mike Tarnower. Steve actually passed in 2006, but we want to share this with our class as we begin to catch up together coming into our 50th class reunion.

STEPHEN ARTHUR BROGOITTI was born in New Orleans, LA on April 2, 1952, to Florine and Hardy Brogoitti; and passed away July 14, 2006 in Denton where he lived. Stephen attended grade school through high school at Lake Highlands schools, Eastfield College and NTSU, Denton. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday July 27, 2006, at St. Johns Episcopal Church, 848 Harter Road, Dallas, the Rev. David Houk officiating. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Johns Building Community Fund. 

Steve has been added to our In Memory page. Please let us know if have information on any of our classmates.