Jim Lienard by Mary Thurman Yuhas

Before graduating from high school, Jim Lienard enlisted with fellow classmate, Jim Dixon, into the Navy on the buddy system.  The program ensured that the two friends would be together throughout their enlistment.  However, Jim said, "The buddy system lasted one week."

Both left for boot camp together, but one week into it, Jim Dixon was pulled out for dental work.  Throughout the rest of their training, Dixon was a week behind.  After basics, both went to radio school, but Jim Lienard was sent to the East Coast and Jim Dixon to the West Coast.  "I didn't see Jim (Dixon) again until I got out."

After graduating from radio school, Jim was a radioman on a ship and before returning home, he served one tour in Viet Nam. 

Sadly, both of Jim's parents were deceased so following his stint in the military rather than returning to Rock Island, he settled in Springfield, Ill. where his brother lived.  He met his wife, Sandra, there at a friend's house. The two started talking he says and six years later they married.

Today, they live in Peoria, Arizona and have two grown children - a son, Chris, 39 and a daughter, Tracy, 32.  Tracy has a 3-year-old son, Logan, whom Jim and Sandra watch throughout the week while his parents work.  "Logan's so much fun and he's such a blessing."

Because neither of them like shoveling snow or getting up in the middle of the night to start up a cold car, they have lived in the Phoenix area since 1973.  "My wife had family there too," Jim said.  

In 2002, Jim retired from Honeywell as the primary programmer and analyst.  Sandra worked for two more years as a legal secretary at Honeywell Aerospace.  While Jim waited for her to retire he worked part time as a volunteer at a hospice.

Their retirement is very enjoyable Jim says.  They both like to spend time with their children and grandson and Jim has many pastimes. He meets for breakfast with other retired, former co-workers, reads mysteries (he especially enjoys John Grisham) and says he and Sandra travel frequently.  Traveling with their children is the best he says.  "We travel together as much as we can € we're all very close."

High school was a good time for Jim. In his senior year, he was in the DO program and worked half days at the Argus newspaper.  Mick Mitternick, Jim Dixon, Dick Gaylord, Bill Kirby and Mike Patrick were all good friends of his back in the day.

He enjoyed sports and going to the football and basketball games and  went to some of the dances following the games. But he said he never felt he was much of a dancer so he mostly watched. 

Jim fondly recalls going down to the Coney Island close to the Levee for a hot dog before taking the ferry across the river.  It cost a nickel back then he recalls.  Once in Iowa, he would head for the ballpark and watch minor league baseball games.  But the best was "hanging out and playing a lot of sports with my friends." 

A funny high school memory for Jim took place in Mr. Chilton's swimming class.  "A bunch of guys got together and put packs of fizzies in the pool," he said.   "Mr. Chilton never found out who did it and he wasn't real happy."

Although it hasn't worked out for Jim and Sandra to attend any of the previous reunions, they will try to make it to the next one.  He would like to hear from other classmates.  You can email him at    jlienard@yahoo.com.