Linda Boman Hamer
1965
Before we entered the world in 1965, my life actually began in 1947 as did most of yours. I was born and raised on a small farm in Kansas. The nearest big town was four miles away and the population was 512. We had lots of pigs, chickens, cattle, one milking cow, and cats to catch the rats, but no running water. When I was eight years old, we had plumbing installed and a flush toilet. Whoopee!!!!
We moved to Southern California where I attended Sutter Junior High School for one year and Northridge Junior High for 2 years. I made friends that would be lasting relationships throughout our years at Cleveland High School.
After graduation, I went to San Fernando Valley State College. It was so close to home, I was able to remain at home and not participate in any of those awful times in the dorm rooms or frat parties!!! Boy, how lucky was I! I worked at the Security Pacific National Bank for the years I was in school, trying to figure out what I wanted to be.
I finally decided that teaching was my career choice and in 1971, I got my first teaching job in East Los Angeles. That job lasted for one year, as the enrollment went down and as I was the last one to be hired- well, you get the picture. So I went back to work for Security Pacific National Bank. Our son was born in 1973. Oh I forgot to tell you I got married. I met my husband, John, at Security Pacific National Bank’s computer center where we both worked. We got married in 1969 while we both in school.
We moved to Southern California where I attended Sutter Junior High School for one year and Northridge Junior High for 2 years. I made friends that would be lasting relationships throughout our years at Cleveland High School.
After graduation, I went to San Fernando Valley State College. It was so close to home, I was able to remain at home and not participate in any of those awful times in the dorm rooms or frat parties!!! Boy, how lucky was I! I worked at the Security Pacific National Bank for the years I was in school, trying to figure out what I wanted to be.
I finally decided that teaching was my career choice and in 1971, I got my first teaching job in East Los Angeles. That job lasted for one year, as the enrollment went down and as I was the last one to be hired- well, you get the picture. So I went back to work for Security Pacific National Bank. Our son was born in 1973. Oh I forgot to tell you I got married. I met my husband, John, at Security Pacific National Bank’s computer center where we both worked. We got married in 1969 while we both in school.
As we found ourselves trying to get away every weekend to the “great outdoors,” we decided to move to it. Six weeks after our son, Dan, was born, we moved to Carson City, Nevada. Our daughter was born there. We moved around the area with John’s job until we finally settled in the Carson Valley where we have lived for over 40 years. Gosh, I am sounding old.
I began teaching for Douglas County. I taught 2nd, 4th, 7th, and 8th grade. Every age was fun. My own children were fun so as they got older, I moved up in grade level. No, I never taught either of them; that wouldn’t have been cool! “Just kidding!” as my daughter always said growing up.
After 20 years in the classroom, I wanted to try something new but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to be when I grew up. I started networking with friends I met along the way and the job of a parole and probation officer was introduced to me. I really wasn’t sure what that was, but I pursued it. After four weeks of a live-in academy and a lot of soul searching(could I really point a gun at someone?), I decided to go for it. My husband was very patient with me. I went through 13 weeks of a live-in academy to become certified to be a peace officer. I loved the job and found it so rewarding. I supervised a caseload of over 80 people at times. I frequented prisons, jails, and some scary homes. There was never a boring day!!!!
When I was afraid I was getting older and slower, I knew I needed to retire from that line of work. So I went to work for the counseling office to whom I had referred my parolees and probationers. I facilitated substance abuse groups, did evaluations and taught DUI School. I worked in that field for about 5 years.
Now I chase grand kids.
John and I also like to travel to Spain and Italy. One of my favorite trips was our helicopter hiking trip in the Canadian Rockies.
My husband and I are starting a Stephen Ministry program at our church.
I really want to thank the reunion committee for continuing to provide all of us with wonderful get-togethers. Our 65th birthday party was especially fun. I want to thank Pete for the outstanding website which allows us all to reconnect and to find out what life has been like since Grover Cleveland High School after 1965.
I began teaching for Douglas County. I taught 2nd, 4th, 7th, and 8th grade. Every age was fun. My own children were fun so as they got older, I moved up in grade level. No, I never taught either of them; that wouldn’t have been cool! “Just kidding!” as my daughter always said growing up.
After 20 years in the classroom, I wanted to try something new but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to be when I grew up. I started networking with friends I met along the way and the job of a parole and probation officer was introduced to me. I really wasn’t sure what that was, but I pursued it. After four weeks of a live-in academy and a lot of soul searching(could I really point a gun at someone?), I decided to go for it. My husband was very patient with me. I went through 13 weeks of a live-in academy to become certified to be a peace officer. I loved the job and found it so rewarding. I supervised a caseload of over 80 people at times. I frequented prisons, jails, and some scary homes. There was never a boring day!!!!
When I was afraid I was getting older and slower, I knew I needed to retire from that line of work. So I went to work for the counseling office to whom I had referred my parolees and probationers. I facilitated substance abuse groups, did evaluations and taught DUI School. I worked in that field for about 5 years.
Now I chase grand kids.
John and I also like to travel to Spain and Italy. One of my favorite trips was our helicopter hiking trip in the Canadian Rockies.
My husband and I are starting a Stephen Ministry program at our church.
I really want to thank the reunion committee for continuing to provide all of us with wonderful get-togethers. Our 65th birthday party was especially fun. I want to thank Pete for the outstanding website which allows us all to reconnect and to find out what life has been like since Grover Cleveland High School after 1965.
Three years after graduation
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At Security Pacific Bank
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Packing a gun (for my job)
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My husband John and I, in the woods near our home
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Our family at Christmas 2012a; Me, my son Dan, his wife Rachel, Elsie 2, Abby 6, Jakob 8, John, Mickey 7, my daughter Suzy
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Dancing with John at the 40th Reunion
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With John, at the 2012 Class of 1965 Birthday Party
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Me and a giraffe (see, I'm not so short after all)
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Comments
Hi Linda~Your story is really good. ! Did you read the other stories and find the young man who had such a crush on you? I look forward to seeing you in 2015 & will always remember what fun we had in Dance Class!
Gloria Dorcy
Gloria Dorcy
Aloha,
Thank you so much for sharing your remarkable life adventure. Brought to mind one definition of success I discovered: "Success could be defined as the continued expansion of happiness, and progressive realization of worthy goals." I definitely believe you are achieving that! God's Peace.
Scott Brown
Thank you so much for sharing your remarkable life adventure. Brought to mind one definition of success I discovered: "Success could be defined as the continued expansion of happiness, and progressive realization of worthy goals." I definitely believe you are achieving that! God's Peace.
Scott Brown
Linda: What a great story! I can't get it through my head...Linda packing heat. Just blows my mind.
My wife, Shari, and I love to have breakfast and a little gambling at Fandangos Casino. Every July we stay at the Hardman Hotel and play golf at Silver Oaks, Dayton Valley and Genoa Resort for three days. We used to fish on the Carson and Walker rivers a couple of times a week back in 2003 to 2005. Bit enough about me.
You were such a sweet, pleasant, kind person and I am so glad your life has turned out the way you wanted. Thank you for sharing your adventures since high school with us. It is such a kick to hear about everyone's stories.
Maybe you and John and Shari and I can have breakfast some morning at Fandangos.
Jeff Davis
My wife, Shari, and I love to have breakfast and a little gambling at Fandangos Casino. Every July we stay at the Hardman Hotel and play golf at Silver Oaks, Dayton Valley and Genoa Resort for three days. We used to fish on the Carson and Walker rivers a couple of times a week back in 2003 to 2005. Bit enough about me.
You were such a sweet, pleasant, kind person and I am so glad your life has turned out the way you wanted. Thank you for sharing your adventures since high school with us. It is such a kick to hear about everyone's stories.
Maybe you and John and Shari and I can have breakfast some morning at Fandangos.
Jeff Davis
It has always been fun to see you every ten years or so at the reunion events. You still have the same outgoing personality that I remember from high school. Your story is also an amazing one. A career that even included law enforcement. Very impressive. Looking forward to seeing you at the 50th event.
Dick Eyster
Dick Eyster