Jurene Duram:
CLASS OF 1971
Shadle Park High SchoolClass of 1971
Spokane, WA
Jurene's Story
There have been many steps since high school. As far as I am concerned the most valuable have been the ones in the role of a Mom. I was married 17 years to a man I met while I was serving in the Air Force in Hawaii. Through him, I have two wonderful sons, a beautiful daughter-in-law, and two great little grandsons.
It was my intent to become a DECA teacher coordinator when I graduated from Shadle. I made it through SFC in their mid-management program and loved every minute of it. Finances presented a choice to quit to earn money for college or join the military for the GI bill. My Dad was retired AF so it seemed the way to go. I wasn't expecting the choice of career field they gave me. It seemed my days being a Tomboy working with my Dad on his projects lent to an aptitude to become one of the first women in the Air Force to work in electronics. It was better than being a secretary, I had barely passed typing in my freshman year (sat next to a really cute guy named Jesus, boy was he distracting..)
Turns out I loved working in electronics. My career progression led me to teach it in the Air Force and civilian life while building an IT background in telecom, computers, and multi-media. My military life as active duty and dependent took me to Hawaii, Texas, California,Nebraska, Mississippi, Germany, Maryland, and other fun places. A back injury forced me into early retirement.
I remet and married myfirst love from high school (Mead 68), Michael Lewis in the 90's. We were together 7 years before he died of sudden heart death. It has been a difficult time, however, my faith lifts me through the trials and brings me blessings in many forms for which I find thankfulness.
I often think of my friends from Shadle and other High Schools. My scouting introduced me to some awesome people from Mead, Rogers, Marycliff, North Central,and LC. Though the friends that I made in college seemed to have stronger glue, it is with fond memories that the thoughts of study hall, after school activities, social clubs and doin...Expand for more
g things with so many vibrant and involved people bring a smile to my heart.
The challenges in life brought many dark spots and I found moments where I did not meet up to my expectations or those of others. Instead of letting them take away the horizon, I focused past the barriers and my failures and reached for trying to do it better next time. I can't take away past mistakes, however, I can try not to do them again and keep a positive direction with what I have left. For too many years, I let the times I struggled keep me in the whirlpool of missed dreams and lost hope. I sincerely apologize to those whom I let down through my own actions or their expectations of me. Forgiveness is a powerful tool in growing ... I pray it helps release the pain and perceived grief. The more I forgive myself and others, the more freedom comes into my life. May you have the ability to give yourself the gift of forgiveness. If there is any grief, can we start a new slate? Life is too precious to hold the mistakes.
This last few years, I learned to reach out again and grasp life with passion. Working with many aspects of Veteran programs, I have learned to embrace life, friends and finding purpose. I am actively working on programs with the Vet Center and community faith groups such as Healing Communities 4 Veterans. It is my dream to help launch a program called project SOAR for Veterans this fall. It is not about doing more than anyone else, it is about knowing that you can touch another's life with positive growth and help inspire hope.
If you remember me, please feel free to reach out, I just upgraded to be able to answer messages. It will be nice to be in touch. If you didn't know me then, however are open to new friends and growing forward, also feel free to contact me.
May your memories be washed in the gentle sands of time that the good things lift you and bring smiles while the tough times were washed away. Life is short, lets relish in its blessings and continue to build with friendship and love. Jurene
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Register for Free to view all yearbooks!
Reunions
Register for Free to view all events!
Photos
