Diane Hallmark:
CLASS OF 1963
Kirkman Technical High SchoolClass of 1963
Chattanooga, TN
Diane's Story
I have led a very interesting and varied life. In 1964, my mom finally remarried and the entire family moved to Indiana. I joined the Air Force on May 5, 1965 in Indianapolis and was given my oath by
Colonel Jimmy Stewart at the Indianapolis 500. The commander of the recruiting offfice was from Chattanooga. In 1966 I had a horrible automobile accident and was told I would never walk again. Independent that I am I showed them I would not only walk but dance (2 months later). I married a guy named Ronnie Irons (a ringer for Don Grady) in 1965 but sadly, that marriage did not last. Three years after the divorce, I married Larry Hallmark in 1970 and we were married until his death from Agent Orange in 2005 thirteen years after having a liver transplant. I have 3 sons, Thomas a nuclear engineer is 37,. He is just finishing a national program by the Atomic Energy Commission to be a nuclear plant manager. Nathan, an architecture and as of August 16, 2012 a registered nurset is 35 and he is being worked up for a heart transplant. Joseph Blayne has just graduated from Criminal Justice at age 32. I have three grand daughters, ages 1month, Charleigh (Charlie), 1 yr (Brooke) and 11 )Ashleigh), and one grandson age 15 (Douglas) . I found my father's family in Ohio in 1995, and after talking with them, I found a sister I neverr knew I had and she moved to Fort Worth area the same year I moved here (1980). We live in the area of Fort Worth better known as "Cowtown" which is part of the old Chisholm Trail. In 1973 I started college as a pre-engineering major and made dean's list. Then in 1975 I had a son with a heart problem so I had to drop out of college to take care of him. In 2008 I graduated with a BSW degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. In 2005 I was again involved in a MVA and received permanent injuries when a drunk driver ran a stop sign at 55 mph and hit me broadside. I am just learning to walk again but will again prevail. I am a tough bird and hard to keep down. I enjoyed our 45th reunion, seeing all my old friends and catching up on what is happening with them. I am looking forward to the 50th. I am still independent, strong willed and love being with other people. I basically have not changed much since 1963 so if you...Expand for more
knew me then, you know me now, just ask Jim Neighbors.
I now have four grandchildren, Douglas Enrique 16, Ashleigh 12,. Brooke Wlpiana 3, and Charleigh Elizabeth 3 weeks (yes she is named after me and her other grandmother, Georgina Elizabeth), They are all very smart and the older two are in advanced math and science classes like their dad who is a nuclear engineer now taking federal classes to run the entire plant. My daughter-in-law is from Monterrey, Nueva Leon, Mexico. The children speak both languages which is more than I can say for Grandma.
I do a lot of volunteer work, with schools and with homeless veterans. I received a national volunteer service award five years ago for a program I started in our local school which the Fort Worth ISD board adopted and now operates in all its schools teaching children not to make excuses because they can now be whatever they want to be nowadays.
I worked at Locknheed aircraft research and Development when the C5A was being developed and that is probably the most exciting thing I have experienced in my life. It was really interesting to see all the research that went into that plane and to meet people from all over the world who worked in the Research and Development Section where I typed technical papers (from the researchers who were working on the C5A) for publlication. Those of you who knew me in school will understand how much I enjoyed that.
I have had a very satisfying life and have made a positive difference in many lives, and I don't believe anyone can ask for more than that.
I miss Mr. Carr. He is probably the one person who made the biggest difference in my life and I never got to tell him that. I was really looking forward to telling him that at the 45th reunion but sadly never got the chance.
I was thrilled to see that the comraderie was still there among our class members at reunion.
I was talking to my grandson the other day about the major changes we have witnessed in our lives and it amazed even me when I thought about it all. Remember the old sonic booms when the pilots broke the sound barriers? Now F16s do it over our home multiple times daily and we barely hear them. The changes that really amaze me are in the medical field, where I worked for 35 years.
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