High School Sweethearts, Claudia Haulman, and Jim Todd, sitting on her mom's DeSoto in front of her Grandmother, Mabel Garman's, house in Springville, California. - 1954
High School Sweethearts, Claudia, and Jim sitting in his Austin A40 Sports car. Obviously after it got bent.. This is the car we took to Alameda to stay several day's with Claudia's aunt, Gladys, and uncle, Red. They took us out for our first taste of that new Italian food fad (it couldn't possibly last), Pizza. What a wonderful visit it was. When I went to Springville to visit Claudia she always said she would anticipate my arrival by several minutes because she could hear the Austin's 4 banger-dual carb engine reving up the highway long before I arrived. In the background is Patsy (Claudia's mom) Haulman's DeSoto. - 1954 - Mabel Garman's home, Springville, California.
Another view of me and the Austin A40 Sports before it got bent.
My Sweetheart, Claudia Haulman - Her birthday was in early spring, April 6th, and I wanted to get her a special gift. I was always working so I had enough money. I was thinking of clothes or jewelry or even a negligee - but nothing really struck my fancy. I talked with my mom (always there, always helpful) about what a woman would like. She said definitly, "no negligee" and suggested perfume or some type of cosmetic set. "Jimmie, don't buy anything cheap if you really like her, don't be afraid to spend some of your money. Go talk to the salesperson at the cosmetics counter at Claube's Drug Store". I tried all kinds of samplers on my wrist and arm. This was a new experience for me and I wanted to get just the right one for my very special girl. I finally settled on a nice gift pack with powder, perfume (not just toilet water) and an atomizer of Faberge "Straw Hat" cosmetics. It smelled much nicer on Claudia than on me and the "thank you's" she gave me were heavenly. - 1954 photo
Claudia Haulman, my High School Sweetheart, standing in front of my 1949 Ford "Woody" station wagon. I used this car for my Fresno Bee car route newspaper deliveries to California Hot Springs and Pine Flat every day. Claudia always liked to ride along and help with the deliveries. We would get everything done on the way up and then relax and maybe go swimming at the resort. - 1954
The "Fresno Bee" was an afternoon paper except on Sundays when we delivered it before sunrise. This is an early morning photo we shot of a little store where we left a few papers every day
Here's a late afternoon photo Claudia took of me on one of our California Hot Spings trips.
Claudia Haulman, wearing the swimming suit that her mom thought was modest enough, but her grandmother said was too revealing - 1954 - Mabel Garman's home, Springville, California.
Another view of my High School Sweetheart, Claudia Haulman, again in the controversial swim suit. After much close study of the situation I decided that I agreed with her mom. - 1954 - Mabel Garman's Home, Springville, California. -- Claudia died in 1959.
Porterville Evening Recorder article on death of Claudia's grandmother. I do not know the year. We had a lot of great times at Mrs. Garman's house in Springville. My dad told me once that I spent way too many hours there.
Claudia's Family today - Her Little brother, Wally, and his granddaughter, Grace.
Claudia's Family today - Wally's wife, Deana, and Baby Grace
Baby Grace posing with her mom and Dad, Julie (Haulman - Claudia's niece) & Jeremiah Brown
Claudia's Family today - Her nephew, Alex and Baby Grace.
Baby Grace - Boy, she gets around to every photo.
High School Sweetheart, Claudia Haulman - This is probably the last photo I took of her. I went off to my freshman year of Bible College and when I returned she broke up with me and married David Coffee another member of the "Christian Youth Fellowship" that we all attended. The marriage didn't last long, less than a year. She contacted me twice about getting back together, but by then I had married Carol Love and our firstborn was on the way. Claudia was killed the following year when her car was hit broadside by a man running a traffic light.
Kenny Kirby - This photo was taken in 1954.
Kenny Kirby, - He was in the Porterville High School band.
Kenny Kirby, also an able piano player - This photo was taken in 1954.
Kenny Kirby and his future wife, Jo Ellen Wilson - My 1950 Studebaker Convertible is in the background- Photo taken in 1954.
Christian Youth Fellowship (CYF) at Camp Millwood at Lake Sequoia. The other Christian Youth Fellowship campers and our CYF group at First Christian Church were the center of my teenage life.
CYF kids lounging near the lakefront.
Christian Youth Fellowship at Camp Millwood at Lake Sequoia.
Christian Youth Fellowship at Camp Millwood at Lake Sequoia. Campers watching the rock.
This rock was "off limits" for climbing. After all, "you could fall and badly hurt yourself."
So, of course, we all climbed it.
Carol Duncan was from the Fresno Church and is the second person in from the left. I thought she was quite cute and an interesting person. - Christian Youth Fellowship at Camp Tulequoia at Lake Sequoia.
Patty Tinkler from the Fresno church. I thought she was pretty cute also. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Way too many for a young teen-aged boy. Taken at the Christian Youth Fellowship Camp Tulequoia at Lake Sequoia.
Billy Wells (our Pastor's son) strikes again! It's the first day of summer camp and you have to get your girl for the duration early before all the cute ones are gone. As I recall he told me he was thinking of asking either Patty Tinkler or Carol Duncan (who I wanted for my girl) to be his girl for the week. The girl holding the box camera and walking is Vivian ????. Vivian and I became good camp friends and went on one of the moonlight hikes together. I can still remember holding her hand all the way around the lake and then kissing her goodnight at her cabin door.
Way to go, Billy! Getting some sun with Patty. Sorry Billy, old buddy, but I ended up having Carol Duncan as "my girl" for that week. Billy later became a preacher.
Bob Adams Graduation Photo. He was my good friend from the Fresno Belmont Avenue Christian Church CYF group. We always made sure we were signed up for the same week of church camp each summer. Later when we got driver's licenses we got together more often. Last I knew he was dating Patty Tinkler, whose folks owned "Tinklers Funeral Home". [portraits by Frigulti] 1954
Talent night at the Christian Youth Fellowship Camp Tulequoia at Lake Sequoia. Rita Loflin (on the left) was playing a "banjo" Ukulele, which I really liked, I finally bought myself one during my third year at bible college.
Reynold Rutledge all around "good guy" and King of the Accordian. Reynold became a school band and music teacher.
Rutledge reigns at Camp Millwood CYF talent night. -- on the accordian any way. I can still remember his interpretive version of "Lady of Spain."
Our Porterville High School Band with our new band director, Frank "Buck" Schaffer. He's on the right in back wearing the dark suit.. I'm in the front row on the left in a different colored uniform. During marching season I was the Drum Major. I also worked with the twelve "PORTERVILLE! Orange Blossom" girls drill team after school. Someone had to do it. (1953-54 school year)
The Winter Ball my sophmore year at Porterville High School. (I knew all those dance lessons mom had me take at Mrs. Dennis' Dance Studio would pay off.) We were all there. (L to R) Mary Lou Kemper (a good friend and a favorite date - her dad owned "Kempers Music Studio"), Jim Todd, Lou Ann Rutledge, Reynold Rutledge, Karen Lindgren, Monte Hodgson, another accordian player. - 1951
My first phonograph that would play all three types of records: 78, 45, and 33 rpm. What great sounds came from it's metal case and gigantic 4 inch speaker. Not! (1955)
Johnny Flores the drummer getting one of those new LP records ready to spin.
Johnny Flores
Darrel Daley trying to look tough.
Darrel and his wheels
Darrel with his new wheels, a Singer Sports car and me with my Austin A40 Sports Car. Austin only made 600 of these tricked out, hopped up little beauties.
Sport's car rally. Bad photo - Look close. (from nearest car) Darrel Daley and ?? girl in his "Singer SC1500" My dad, Arthur Todd in his "Singer SC1500", Me, James Todd, in my "Austin A40 Sports".
Darrel Daley a Musician in the Navy and latter a music teacher in the public schools.
Marion
Darrel
Darrel and Marion
Darrel Daley coming up with a good thought.
Darrel and Marion again
Darrel again, still thinking.
Marion again, "what's Darrel up to?"
Darrel and Marion getting pretty close.
Darrel and Marion still close. They were visiting Carol and me in Hawai'i when this picture was taken. They will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversery in 2007. Carol and I will celebrate ours in 2008.
Darrel Daley
Page 1 of the PORTERVILLE EVENING RECORDER article on our Porterville Union High School reunion.
Page 2 of the PORTERVILLE EVENING RECORDER article on our Porterville Union High School 20 year reunion.
Gertrude, Ause Emerson (Ester's father), Rev Robinson, Ester, Jim - August 19, 1955. Photo by Johnny Todd. The marriage took place in the Rose Chapel of the Methodist Church in Porterville, California.
The new Ester Todd with Husband Jim Todd - August 19, 1955. Photo by Johnny Todd.
Gertrude Emerson is Maid of Honor and Kenneth Kirby is Best Man at our wedding - August 19, 1955. Photo by Johnny Todd.
Ester's dad, Ause Emerson - Ester Todd with Husband Jim Todd Ester's mom, Isabelle Emerson. August 19, 1955. Photo by Johnny Todd.
Ester looking beautiful - August 19, 1955. Photo by Johnny Todd.
The chapel prior to Ester and my wedding. Harriet Harper is playing the organ prelude.
Page 1 of the 1955 PORTERVILLE EVENING RECORDER newspaper report on our wedding.
Page 2 of the 1955 PORTERVILLE EVENING RECORDER newspaper report on our wedding.
The joyous couple. Ready to go to the Reception. Right after this picture was taken my grandpa, John Todd, came over to me (in Ester's hearing) and asked, "Jim, do you really think you're old enough to be sleeping with a girl." That's my grandpa Todd for you. Then he and grandma, Bertha, gave us a nice check to help us furnish our apartment. Grandpa died of cancer on January 3rd the following year- August 19, 1955. Photo by Johnny Todd.
Jeffrey Ause Todd, our new perfect baby boy, and both my parent's and Ester's parents first grand child was born in January of 1957. He was well prepared for and much anticipated. Ester had gone on the old Jack Baily "Queen For A Day" television show visably pregnant and won. Her wish was for a complete nursery layette. We got it along with the many other prizes the Queen for a Day winners always received.
"Queen For A Day" provided us with beautiful nursery furniture, diapers, powders and oils, baby bath, toys and nursery pictures, and even a cute nursery lamp and mobile. I can still visualize our little baby nest, but most of all, I still remember the powder, oil, and new furniture smell of it all. Oh how we worked getting everything set up and ready for the big day. The delivery went well, Doctor Brady congratulated us and gave us the Porterville Hospital's new baby gift set. More smells, more specialness, more love in our home with our new little gift from the Lord. It was the biggest most special event in Ester and my lives - and, I think, the lives of all the brand new grandparents and aunts and uncles in both of our families.
I remember Jeffrey's aunts and uncles who were too young to visit Ester and the baby in her room crowding around her first floor hospital window so they could get a glimpse of him when the nurses brought him in for his feedings. Ester would always hold him up so they could get a better view. Jeffrey gained and grew both rapidly and loudly. Ester, however, recovered more slowly. She just seemed tired for weeks. She stayed in bed a lot regaining her strength. I would generally be the one to get up when Jeffrey cried and bring him to our bed so his mother could breast feed him.
Jeffrey Ause Todd
The PORTERVILLE EVENING RECORDER newspaper report on Jeffrey's death.
Jeffrey's grave
Jeffrey's grave - I don't know why I took three photos basically all alike. I guess I couldn't say Goodbye to Jeffrey and pull myself away.
Jim and Ester with Jim's family at the Brook's home where we went to eat lunch after Jeffrey's graveside service.
The PORTERVILLE EVENING RECORDER newspaper report on Ester's death. After Jeffery died Ester left me and later married Robert Wheeler.
ESTER - 1957
The PORTERVILLE EVENING RECORDER newspaper funeral notice of Ester's death.
You're right - that's me at the keyboard. Our instrumentation was different but we got it done. Mostly college and high school dances.
Ester's daughter, Bobbie, who she had with second husband, Bob Wheeler.
More of Ester's family with Bob Wheeler, her second husband.
Roberta (Bobbie) and Perry Bruemmer. Bobbie is Ester's Daughter
