Kenneth "Kenny" Thomas

The last 30 years?

After graduation I spent a year working at Herr International, for some reason I thought I was making money.  I met a fellow class member, Charlotte Murphy.  Well we were married in October 1977 and our daughter Nicole was born in January of 1978.  Needless to say this ended disastrously in 1979.  I spent 1978 through 79 working at Hesston, again thinking I was making money?

Well in early 1980 I made what turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made, off of a 'wild hair' I enlisted in the USAF, became what I am today, a Supply Troop!  It was so much 'easier' than I would have ever imagined and the first 4 years flew by.  I did receive the invitation to our 5 year reunion, however I was stationed in South Korea at the time. After the first tour in Korea I was fortunate to be stationed at McConnell AFB in Wichita which is when I learned the truth to the old saying "You can never go home again", everything had changed, friends included.  Well I was there from 1982 until 1984 and went back to Korea a second time,... This time to actually see the country. 

In 1985 I was stationed down in Altus AFB, OK.. yup, just what I thought..."Were in the H is that?"  Southwest corner of Oklahoma, I was there from 1985 through 1994, so long I began to think the Air Force had forgotten about me.

For those that did serve in the desert,.. nope, my TDY was to Mildenhall, UK to support a Phase Inspection Dock for in-theatre KC-135 Tanker aircraft.  What a blast!  not only did I do my job, but I jumped in and helped to actually work on the planes.  So while those in the desert roasted, I froze!

Well back in Altus, I remarried in 1988 to JoAnn, we had another daughter, Tashawna in 1989 and in 1994 finally a son, Derrick!  So with her daughter, Nakisha (from a previous marriage), we have two kids 16, and 11 running around the house, normally being chased by my two year-old Grand-Daughter, Haylee.

In 1994 I was reassigned to Whiteman AFB, MO, home of the B-2.  On 1 August 2000 I finally retired from the USAF after 20 long years.  After the required waiting period I was hired into Civil Service (GS) doing the very same job as I had for the past 20 years, although now it's better, no uniform, no haircuts (unless I want one), no mobility's, no fear of the "Next War".

Life is Great, now you guys hunted me down, and here I come... WebPages coded!

My hobbies and interests?

Hobbies:  Discovered the joys of woodworking, built just about every piece of furniture in the house, even took a couple ounces off the thumb, (but thankfully it's not noticeable), while stationed down in Altus and with the help of the Base Auto Hobby Shop, there isn't too much I can't do to a car these days, played organized softball for the first time in my life in 1998!  Had the time of my life!!!  And finally the ultimate.. in 1994 I got my first computer, now there ain't to much I can't do with one of these (can't program yet, but that's due to not having the programs to do it with), so since 1994 some say it's been 'downhill' since <vbg>.

Interests:  My kids!  Doing as anyone else would do, trying to teach them lessons they can use their entire lives, spend as much time I can with them, maybe not in the same room, but within earshot.  Then again the 'evil' computer is also a big interest, someday I hope to finally get the proper training and make IT my career!  I am constantly asked by our 'Computer Room' folks for help and/or advise on desktop systems, but it's only what I've read or experienced, no formal training whatsoever.

Well, since our last reunion the world has become a deadly place, it is still hard to believe that 10 days after we had reacquainted ourselves after long years of separation our world would take a sudden turn. Like other things in our lives, 9-11 will forever remain in our memories.

Some of you have sons, daughters, husbands, wives, and maybe even yourselves in harm's way. My thoughts and prayers go out to each and every one. I am with them heart and soul.

On the personal side in March of 2002 I lost my first Grand-daughter, Sarina Dawn Thomas to SIDS.  This was a personal awakening for me, one that I hope none of you ever have to experience.  If given time to dwell on it, I still hurt from the ordeal.

In April 2003 I finally embarked upon a journey to gain an Associate degree in Computer Information systems, focusing on Web Development.  I achieved this goal in June 2005, and likewise am continuing towards a Bachelor Degree in the same field.  Last month I gained my first client for my web design business, nukedJupiter Web Design.  If your curious about the name, I'll let you know at the reunion, it's kinda long, strange story at best.

Which brings me to the here and now, looking forward to once again join with y'all in another reunion.

So if you ever feel the need to contact me...... here's my email address ken.thomas76@nhs-classof76.us