Kalene Thomas Farley
408 Mockingbird Lane
Logansport LA 71049
Telephone: 318- 697-6353
No Email
Kalene Thomas
1951
Biography (2001)
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I was born at Smackover, AR and was in first grade there for almost six weeks when my dad was transferred to Lisbon, LA. We were at Lisbon about 1 1/2 years. I was in third grade when Pearl Harbor was bombed December 7, 1941. We moved to Stamps in January 1942 where I continued my schooling until graduation in May, 1951. Those were happy years for me. I decided to go to Southern State College as did many of my classmates. After choosing two years of Home Economics, I decided to change my major to Elementary Education. In January 1955 Jim Farley and I were married in Stamps. He went back to school to get his degree and was then employed by International Paper Company. We made several moves - to Camden, New Orleans, Mobile and St. Louis. I taught school in each city with a total of 22 years. Prior to our move to Saint Louis, a friend suggested that I contact Mary Institute, a private school for girls established in 1859. When I arrived in St. Louis I called the school and made an appointment for an interview. After the interview and reading my resume' they decided that instead of teaching I would be the right person to equip and manage the new, large, vacant (except for theatre seating) Learning Resource Center. I purchased audiovisual equipment and supplies, catalogued and labeled all items, distributed equipment to classrooms and assisted teachers if requested. I enjoyed that position because I could get to know the teachers and students in that very large school. After being in the LRC for six years, a fifth grade teacher retired and I asked to take her place in the classroom. I taught that grade for four years. I loved the ten years I was there, but hated the very cold winters and 3 ft plus of snow that was inevitable every winter. Decided to move to a warmer climate. Considered Houston and Dallas. Came home to Stamps and made my choice by watching the10:00 p.m. newscast. Houston was warmer, so that is where I went. Bought a condo and decided that after 22 years, no more school teaching. I would learn to do something else. Took a six-month course at a secretarial school. Worked in a small office for 11 months doing almost nothing. I was always interested in the medical field so I scanned job ads for jobs in the Medical Center, called for an appoiontment and was interviewed at the Baylor Employment Office. After that interview, the consultant referred me to a new doctor in cardiology, Dr. Christopher Wyndham, a Cardiac Electrophysiologist, the first one in Houston. All of the doctors in the Section of Cardiology at Methodist Hospital are specialist in their own field of expertise, all the doctors participate in research and publish in the medical journals. When Dr. Wyndham arrived he explained his specialty to me and what my duties would be. I listened politely, then told him that I had been looking through the medical journals on the tables and I was not prepared for this work; that I had taught school for 22 years and would have trouble spelling "pneumonia" and I didn't want to be fired in two weeks. He laughed and said that he would teach me. He is "Australian" and I am "Southern," but teach me he did! We just couldn't understand each other's words for quite a long time. I worked for him for eight years and was periodically promoted until I became administrative assistant. Then he and his family decided to move to Dallas. I went to Baylor Personnel and was assigned as administrative assistant to the Heart and Lung Transplant Coordinator (1 year and he moved to California). I was then placed as administrative assistant to the Head of Biochemical Virology (3 years and he decided to retire); then on to two Oncology Specialists (for one year, but this move was me - to Logansport because my dad was not well). My dad died March 22, 1996. I had three years to be near him and Mother. I live across the street. Mother and I see and/or talk to each other every day. I have a sweet little Pekingnese (#4), Mai Ling, and an assortment of cats which just came to me one or two at a time and I love them all. From: "me" delilahm@ipa.net To: "Tom Sims" TomESims@West-Point.org Subject: Kalene Date sent: 5 July 2008 Hi: Just want to bring you up to date on what I've learned about Kalene. I called Joe Lile in Haughton, LA. Monday August 4th, '08, and was told that Kalene in now at his sister Barbara's home; in BlueWater, New Mexico, and that Kalene has recently been in a hospital in Albuquerque. Kalene is under the care of Hospice; as her health is now so poor. Joe stated that in the event of Kalene's death that her funeral would be held at the A O Smith Funeral home here in Stamps with burial at the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Stanley, La. Her condition is very bad. She is not responding to any one, and not eating much, falls when she walks among other problems. Joe's phone # is 318-949-0590. |