Joe Bray:
CLASS OF 1974
Fruita Monument High SchoolClass of 1974
Fruita, CO
Fruita Middle SchoolClass of 1974
Fruita, CO
Loma Elementary SchoolClass of 1974
Loma, CO
Joe's Story
Wow, where has the time gone? What are we now 35 or 36, I keep forgetting. Anyway, I've truly been blessed over the years since I left good old Fruita Monument High. As some of you might remember, I left high school early (dropped out) & joined the US Navy (view my "then" photo). Probably the best decision I made in life. Since then it seems like one adventure after another. My wonderful wife of 26 years, Debbie, and 2 of my 3 kids, my son Devin 18, and daughter Julianna 12, live in Alaska. I have a 22 yr old son whose currently in the US Air Force stationed in San Antonio Texas.
I finished up my tour in the US Navy and then spent 7 yrs in college completing a bachalors and masters degree, and am currently working on my dissertation for a PhD in Psycholoy. Now how's that for a high school drop out! Actually I've never really enjoyed school even though I've now spent a total of 12 yrs in higher education. To me it's like laundry & dishes, I did it because it needed to be done to get to where I felt I wanted to go in life.
I am currently in Honduras playing army (I've just crossed over 25 yrs as a US Army Reserve Officer). I've just finished 1 year here as Deputy Commander of our Medical Element (believe it or not I have actually made it to Lieutenant Colonel)and was just extented to remain here until Aug 2010. If you look at my most current photo that is me out in the jungles of Honduras. I know it's getting a little more d...Expand for more
ifficult to recognize each other as the years fly by.
Spent 11 years as a school counselor on the Navajo Reservation, 4 years as a school counselor up in the arctic circle among the eskimo people, and 3 years as a mental health theripist in the same region of Alaska. out of the past 5 years I've spent 4 of them on active duty doing various military missions.
I was recently in Grand Junction visiting family. We had a small family gathering and one of my life long buddies, Ron Bond, and his wife, and his awesome brother Larry Bond joined us. Ron is the type of friend that no matter how long it has been sence you've seem him, you immediately connect as if you were never apart.
As usual, I've rambled on far too long. One last thing I must mention. They most important decision I ever made was allowing Christ to come into my life and take the wheel (remember Carry Underwood's great song "Jesus take the wheel). the only reason I have been able to accomplish anything in my life is because I know I have a loving Heavenly Father who will be as real as I allow Him to be in my life. His love, kindness, long-suffering and daily guidance has allowed me to scale seemingly impossible mountians in my life, and I am forever greatful to Him.
I love you all and look forward to either seeing you at some point or hearing from you. I've been a member of Classmates for years but haven't been active for the last 3 or 4 years.
Bye for now,
Joe
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