For those we have lost

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In Memoriam

It is with a very heavy heart that Don Rayner lets us know of the unexpected passing of his brother Gary H. Rayner on 2/28/2008. Gary attended AFCENT from 1972-1975 when he graduated. Student athlete, football captain, football and wrestling champion, dormie, dreamer, adventurer. Loved by all, he will be missed. "Always on the horizon with the sun at his back."

Colin Baerman (Class of '91) died peacefully in his sleep after a prolonged illness on March 28, 2005, in Colorado Springs. He graduated with a degree in psychology from Providence College in 1995 and did postgraduate work in poetics at The Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado. Despite a difficult life, he wrote and published myriad works of prose and poetry. One of his greatest gifts was his performance of his works and his connection with his audience.

Dr. Jeff DeBlanc died from complications of pneumonia on November 22, 2007. He was 86 years old. He taught math and science at AFCENT High School from 1974 to 1979. "He really enjoyed teaching at AFCENT High and we often spoke of the school and life in Holland. Dad was a school teacher and administrator in St. Martinville, Louisiana and retired from this in 1974 to take the teaching job with the Department of Defense", said his son Mike. He was also a retired Marine Corps Colonel (Reserves) and was the last living Medal of Honor recipient from Louisiana. Rob Robertson reminisced, "He was noted for his tufty white hair and zany antics: such as filling the chalk board, and continuing to write on the walls; and beaning inattentive students with chalk."

Jenny Seagroves Dunn sadly reports that Kevin Seagroves (Class of 1976) passed away suddenly on August 29, 2007.

We were proud to know Kevin as a sincere and genuine man. He worked extremely hard and with integrity. We looked on with amazement as he gave of himself completely, selflessly and without complaint. Kevin was a devoted and loving Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Nephew, Uncle, Grandfather, and Friend.

Kevin’s life was so very precious to us. His beautiful brown eyes revealed the kindness and charm in his soul. He was so down to earth, full of smiles, grins and easy humor. He graced our lives with lots of laughter, love and sincerity. He has left us all with a treasure trove of memories that always brings a chuckle and a smile to our face. Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.

Michael Kirby, AFCENT 85-89, Class of 91, passed away after a lengthy fight with cancer on January 23, 2007. He has left a wife, Jamie, and his parents Millie and Steve, of Nova Scotia, Canada.

Jason Riley, son of Msgt & Sherry Riley, passed away on Aug 30, 2005 as the result of a motorcycle accident. He attended AFCENT 92-94. He ran cross-country and played Basketball with the IYA. He leaves a wife and three daughters, Alison, Jordan, & Emilie; his brothers Jeremy & Jesse; his sister Jenney; 4 nephews, three neices and many friends. A memorial page is in the works.

David Leslie Dunn, 32, passed away on August 6, 2005 at the home of his parents after his second battle with cancer. David, a son of Michael and Kitty Dunn, was born on September 4, 1972 in Lubbock, Texas. While growing up in an Air Force family, David lived in Texas, California, Utah, New Mexico, Florida, Oklahoma, Alabama, Hawaii, Germany, and the Netherlands. David attended AFCENT from 1984 to 1987. He graduated from Prattville High School in Alabama and attended Utah State University. David entered the US Air Force in September 1996 and served for 6 years as a Radiology Technician completing his service with the rank of Staff Sergeant. David served in Texas, Florida, and Nevada. After separating from the Air Force, David moved to Texas. He re-located to Hawaii in October 2004 and became re-acquainted with his former sweetheart, Jennifer McClay, whom he married on November 5, 2004. Their daughter, Adia Leslie Dunn, was born on September 19, 2005.

Kelly Sherrard, class of 76, lost a battle to cancer and died on 27 Aug 2005 in Texas. Anyone wishing to send condolences or well wishes please contact Chris Morales for further information.

It is with saddened heart that we announce the tragic passing of John Young, Class of 1978, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. John was living with some of his cousins in New Orleans at the time of his passing. He was a friend, classmate, fellow Dormie, and team mate of many of us from the mid to late 70s! He will be sorely missed. Anyone knowing how to contact his immediate family or can get word to his brothers Greg, Class of 79 or Eric, Class of 81, please feel free to pass our condolences along to them in this their hour of sorrow. PEACE JOHN YOU WILL BE MISSED! (Anyone wishing to send condolences or well wishes please contact Chris Morales for further information.)

John Doble, class of 1983, was killed in a house fire in Tampa Bay in April 2003. John was extremely popular in our class and will be missed by many former AFCENT students. He was truly a person that people loved to be around. He leaves behind a teenage son Chris and his Mom (Vicki), Dad (John Sr.) and brothers Mark, David and Michael. John had built an awesome business running a brew pub with his parents help. See pictures of John and the brew pub at http://www.tampabaybrewingcompany.com.

Dan Bunch attended AFCENT HS the l984/85 year. He was very active in football and the musical, Cindy Sue's Slipper Slipped. He left his senior year to return to Killeen High School in Killeen, TX. He graduated as the president of his choir and senior class. He graduated from Texas State University, formally known as Southwest Texas State University, with the highest grade average in the music department and was asked to sing the Texas state song at graduation. He and his wife Michelle became missionaries to Norway, while attending the Houston First Baptist Church. He taught choir in the Houston School District and became active in the AD Players and Houston and was eventually employed by them. He died tragically on November 27, 2001 of an accidental shooting. He left behind his lovely wife and 9 month old daughter. He is also survived by his parents Bill and Fran Hulgan, brothers, David Bunch, James and Beau Hulgan, many nieces and nephews. You can contact Fran Hulgan at wehulgan@centex.net for further info.

Mrs. Joan Bellhouse was a special ed teacher at AFNORTH at the time she was diagnosed with liver cancer. Mrs. Bellhouse was loved by so many people.

Clint Fast (AIHS '92) died on August 14, 2003 after a long battle with a brain tumor. He is survived by his wife Jennifer (Curran) Fast (AIHS '93) and their two daughters Riley and Greta.

Shannon Aquiningoc (who would have been Class of 1996) was killed in a car accident in the summer of 1995.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gardner R. Smith, the oldest son of Blanche Opal and Gardner William Smith. Gardner R. passed away from an apparent heart attack on December 31, 2002. He was 37 years old and had one son, Dominique, and a very special girlfriend, Robin Viol. He will be missed by his family (Opal, mother; Gardner W, father; Charles, brother; and Thaiese, sister) his girlfriend Robin, and her parents, Toni and Don.

Dawn Devening (70-72) died suddenly on August 30, 2001 after a short illness. She loved her time and all the friends she made at AFCENT.

Dick Shawd, who was Dorm Counsellor and Supervisor at AFC from 1973 - 1979, passed away on Dec. 28th 2001 after a short illness borne with great courage and dignity.

Mrs. Jean Elder, a respected former AFCENT teacher, died March 10, 2001 from complications from the effects of pancreatic cancer. Mrs. Elder had been diagnosed in the last couple of weeks with pancreatic cancer and given less than three month to live. The illness and death has removed another great personality from our midst, sooner than we desire. She has influenced many young students and families over the years from AFCENT International High School. She will be sorely missed! Webmaster's note: Mrs. Elder was a tremendous influence on me during my time at AFCENT. The Class of '86 was lucky enough to have had Mrs. Elder's company at our 10-year reunion, and I know we'll all miss her very much.

Chuck Morgan, brother of Karen Morgan Mullins (Class of '77), passed away September 10th, 2000. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Prostko Morgan, son Clark and daughter Rachel, all of Orlando, Florida.

Suzan Brinkman (class of '76) passed away in Feb 1997, after a heroic struggle with stomach cancer. She leaves her husband, Mike, and 7 year old daughter Rebecca as well as the many, many people who were fortunate to call her friend, sister, and daughter. She will be missed for every day of our lives.

Melanie (Stephens) Johnson passed away March 20th 1999 after a stroke. She went to AFCENT from 1969 to 1972. She is survived by her Husband Garry, 2 children (Jeramiah, age 9, Jessie, age 6) Father, Mother, and brother (Robert Stephens).

Dianna Coffey (class of 1996) died the summer of 1998 after 3 years fighting cancer.

James Van Dierendonck was the Assistant Principal at AFCENT for a number of years and had been a shop teacher there before that. More recently, Jim Van Dierendonck was the Principal at Geilenkirchen School across the German border from AFCENT. He retired this past Fall; sadly, he passed away recently. DODeA has named an elementary school in the Netherlands after him.

Alan Lofgren was killed in a terrible train accident May 1995. He was married and had a 3 month old girl (Katie). As terrible as this all sounds - he is a hero, as he died while saving his cousin.

Katherine Harris passed away on May 14th 1996 after two year struggle with brain cancer. She attended AFCENT International High School from 1978 to 1981 for the 8th, 9th and 10th grades. She survived by her brothers Warren and Robert (also of AFCENT), parents, husband and daughter.

Jason Jones (AIHS 94) died in December 1996 in a one car accident going home for the holidays.

Dr. Sam Tryon - AFCENT's principal for most of us - passed away in early August 1998 from kidney failure. Dr. Tryon had been named DoDDS 1998 Superintendent of the Year - we will all miss him.

Todd Manning was killed in a vehicle accident when the jeep he was travelling in as a passenger on his stag night lost control and went into a body of water.

Mrs. Gage will be missed by all of us who enjoyed her kindness, charm, and teaching skills.

Rebecca Freeman attended AFCENT 71-72, and was at Sousterberg before AFCENT. She was killed in January 1985 during a robbery attempt in Atlanta, Georgia.

Rod Zander died in April 1993. Jeff Courouleau has a web page in his memory.

Hugh Cox, a member of the Class of '86, died in a plane crash with his newly-wedded wife in July 1996. There is a lovely memorial for him at AFCENT.

Dennis Gates was killed in a moped accident in August 1986 - he was only 16 years old, and had just finished his freshman year of high school at AFCENT.

Go Lions!