A lot of Farmers and Lions married over the years.

Larry Dan Eates, Class of 1970, and Frances Victor Eates, a 1971 Farmington High grad whose parents both taught at Farmington High, joined that crowd 44 years ago.

Today is Frances’ birthday. I’ll let Larry Dan do the honors:

“Happy birthday to my lovely wife of 44 wonderful years! Not only has she been a wonderful wife, a great mother to three terrific kids (because she made them that way), a grandmother to four tremendous grandchildren and a friend to anyone who needed help.

“Her passion has been her family and all children in general. For that we all are grateful.

“Happy birthday, Frances!”

Frances’ response:

“If you have a man in your life who helps bring balance to your world, who makes you laugh but drives you crazy, who you are thankful for and truly adore, love him the mostest.”

I know Frances isn’t a Lion, but neither was Carol Yost Godby and she made Lawrence “Sonny” Godby, Class of 1950, very happy for decades till they both passed away. Sonny was a Marine pilot who served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was part of the faceitiously named Gang That Terrorize Marion County that I ran around with when we were MHS students.

Larry Dan was named for his mother, Mary Larry Eates of Carolina, who married his father, Dominic Eates, Class of 1946. Both parents passed away. Dominic has a passel of siblings: Tony Eates, Class of 1950, living in Fairmont with wife Lucy Cann Eates; Joe Eates, Class of 1945, who lives on in Monongah with Ann DeMary Eates, also Class of 1945 (godparents of my son, John Larry Olesky); Michael Eates, Class of 1948; Nick Eates, Class of 1935; Mary Eates and Angie Eates, graduation years not found by me.

Frances’ father was John Victor, long-time basketball and football coach at Farmington High School.

Other December birthdays among Lions:

December

2 – Adam Michna, 1980 North Marion graduate

2 -- Mareia Wilmouth McDougal, Class of 1964

3 – Goldie Mae Martin, Class of 1964

4 – Ronald Pearse, Class of 1961

4 – Jay Michalski, 1980 North Marion graduate

5 – Duane Harbert, Class of 1951

5 – Frances Victor Eates, Farmington grad, wife of Larry Dan Eates, Class of 1970

6 – Goldie Basagic Huffman, Class of 1974

8 – Brenda Urban, Class of 1971

10 – Richard Weaver, Class of 1957

11 – Paulette Colanero O’Connor, Class of 1966

13 – Otis “Sarge” Shaver, Class of 1948

14 – Bev Morgan Colisino, Class of 1974

16 – Shelvy Maze Cunningham, Class of 1964

16 – Henry Moore, husband of Beth Pritchard Moore, Class of 1975

16 – Paula Rossi Wiley, Class of 1976

18 – Bill Cameon, Class of 1960

20 – Mike Hess, Class of 1975

22 – Frances Wimer Miller, Class of 1951

23 – Jim Fullen

25 – Charles Melton, Class of 1973

25 – Chris Shamrock Henning

27 – John Yokay III, son of John Yokay, Class of 1953

29 --  Dolores Edwards, Class of 1955

30 – Deborah Prunty Poluck, Class of 1973