Franklin High School

To: The Class of 1961
From: John Goldsmith
November 13, 2006

I WANT TO FIRST THANK ALL THOSE WHO HAD A PART IN SENDING OUT THE CD-ROM WITH THE PICTURES - I REALLY ENJOYED THEM - GREAT JOB - THANKS!!!!!!

I enrolled in and then graudated from Purdue University in 1965, got married (the first time) that summer and moved to Louisiana where I enrolled in and then graduated from LSU Law School in 1968. My first son, Michael, was born two months before I graduated from LSU. I moved to Gonzales where I practiced law from 1968-1982. My second son, Patrick, was born in 1969 and my third son, Matthew, was born in 1971. I was elected Judge of the 23rd Judicial District Court of Louisiana in 1982, re-elected in 1984 and after that term ended 12/31/1990, I retired.

My first wife and I divorced in 1986. I married my second wife in 1988. We moved, when I retired, to Sedona, Arizona. We built the house we still reside in and added an office, patio, BBQ, and water feature (a project now almost finished after 2 yrs.).

My oldest, Mike, is married with a son who'll be three in Dec. and a second son to arrive after the first of the year. Mike is head of information technology (his title is VP or something) for a wireless provider in Baton Rouge, La.

Pat, the middle son, is married with two sons. Pat is a Director in the office of the Legislative Auditor for the State of LA. He also lives in Baton Rouge, LA.

The youngest, Matt, just got married (after some 8 years of dating Joey) April 1 this year. Matt is a Class A PGA golf professional. Matt is currently Director of Golf at Idlewild at Atchafalaya a new (last year) course in Patterson, LA. -- and believe it or not he lives in FRANKLIN, but it's LA.

Some of you will remember Patti, my sister, 3 years behind us. She's still married to the same guy she met at Ball State and married in 1966. She lives in Avon, near the airport at Indianapolis. Patti also has three sons -- of which the middle one is to make her a grandmother for the first time next year -- you guessed it -- another boy.

Just in case you haven't been paying attention, I have 3 sons, soon to be 4 grandsons, three nephews, and soon to be 1 great nephew - NO DAUGHTERS, GRANDAUGHTERS, NEICES OR GREAT NEICES. Other than my sister, Patti, there are no other females in the Goldsmith family in over 100 years.

I hope I haven't bent anyone's ear too much. If I have, or even if I haven't, please feel free to get even with me by bringing me up to date on your last 45 years.

Sorry we missed the reunion, but we had a prior committment ( a National Conference) we couldn't miss. God willing, I will be there for the 50th and, if possible, maybe we can make to Franklin before then.

If you're in our area please let us know so we can get together. -- JLG

John Goldsmith Letter ~ Novemer 13, 2006