[ Home ] [ Central ] [ Reunion 2016 ] [ Prior Reunions ] [ Alumni ] [ Recognition ] [ Memories ] [ Music ] [ Lost Classmates ] [ Our Deceased ] [ TomTom ]

Colleen Lear

One of the questions asked…what was the worst moment in school?  The one I remember…On a student council city-wide meeting, I was asked to sing something to represent Central for our part of the entertainment program.  My friend who sometimes accompanied me on the piano couldn’t be there so another student was scheduled to play for me.  After choosing a song, we rehearsed it before we were to perform.

The day of the event arrived and when I looked at the program schedule I realized I was second on the program.  The first person was representing Rogers …and it was Anita Bryant!  I knew how good she was and I really didn’t want to get up and sing after her.  However, I had committed myself, so I tried to calm down and decided to just do my best.  Then Anita got up to sing and she started singing the same song we had prepared!  We were already on the stage in front of everyone which made it almost impossible to do anything.  The boy who was playing the piano for me just looked at me and whispered “what should we do?!” I whispered back to him “What other songs do you know?”  We finally came up with a song we both knew…without music, and I got up after her song and sang a song that to this day I don’t remember.  No one knew what had happened or that I had wanted to disappear rather than be on stage singing!

Some of my best memories were of being a part of the musicals that were performed by the Opera Club.  I was only in the chorus, but it was always fun and our “lead singers” were great!  Another time that stands out in my memory is the time I sang a song that my good friend Don Venable had written.  I was so scared, but honored he wanted me to do it.

I met Patrick Hosford (a graduate of that “other school”) at the University of Oklahoma and have shared a wonderful 47 years together.  We raised three sons who all graduated from college, married three great women and each have three children. They have all done well in their fields and have lived in many places all over the world.  At one time or another they have lived in China, The Congo, Scotland, England, Cairo, The Netherlands.  They have also lived in California, New Mexico and Wisconsin.  We are blessed with two of them living in our area at this time and our youngest son is moving next month from Amsterdam to Wisconsin.  We just kept their twin boys (age 6) for a week while they looked for a house…what fun!  They are identical and are already trying to switch places!

During the years Patrick was with Amoco we moved about every two years, mainly in Texas and Oklahoma.  We settled in Houston and Pat left Amoco and started several companies.  I became active in our last company (management) which we sold a few years ago. Pat stayed on for almost two years but then retired.  We seem to always be busy as I’m sure most everyone at this age is. “When did we have time to work?” seems to be a common expression among those of us who have retired.

We enjoy traveling a lot…visiting our kids wherever they are, taking trips to places we’ve always wanted to go and see old friends and family when possible.  We have both been active in the Presbyterian Church.  We both sing in the choir and have served on our Session as an Elder.  I played tennis on the ladies tennis league for many years but have given it up a few years ago with the intensions of having more time to take up golf.  I love the game, but with a lot of traveling and getting over a neck injury, I’m not very far along with my game.

I also enjoy writing poetry whenever I take the time. We enjoy the activities of our community.  Pat was on the executive board of the Chamber of Commerce for several years and have met and enjoyed many friendships here in the Woodlands. Pat has a special group of old high school friends from Rogers that get together every year or so and take a trip together.  I’m continually trying to convince them that Central was the BEST high school but so far they won’t listen!

We were all fortunate to have attended such a good high school that prepared us for our future.  Tulsa was a wonderful place to grow up and I look forward to the reunion to remember old times and share new ones.
Last updated 01/06/16