Veteran and Former Coudersport Resident Writes

Donald Stives, an army veteran and former Coudersport student, recently wrote in hopes of catching up with past friends and acquaintances. Don asks that anyone wishing to contact him email stivesjrdon@gmail.com or on Facebook.

Here is what Don had to say:

I am a veteran and had attended Coudersport Area Schools back in the day. Actually, I attended until 1975 when my family moved to New York State. I finished the 5th grade there. I was wondering about sharing my military photo with the former friends.

My family and I had resided in the Coneville area prior to our move. My grandpa was Victor Weimer and my parents are Donald Sr. and Doris Weimer Stives. I have 2 brothers and their names are Terry (graduated from Coudersport in 1975) and Tim who was 3 years younger than myself. I have 2 sisters and their names are Freda (who would have graduated in 1975 but dropped out) and Diana who was 2 years older than myself. I was related to the Jackson’s, Wackwitz’s, Murray’s and Carpenter’s that lived in Coneville.

I eventually ended up graduating in 1982 from Morgan High School in Morgan, Utah. I pulled 4 years of active duty- pulling 2 years in Germany and the remainder of my time at Fort Irwin, California. I got out in 1986 and returned back to Bolivar, NY where my parents are still currently living. I pulled 2 years of active reserves in the Army after my 4 years.

I currently live in Port Republic, VA and have lived down here for almost 16 years. I have 3 of the most beautiful daughters who are, Sena (28 and married) with 2 of my grand daughters (who are 5 and 2), Kira (26 and married as well), and Bryanna (19 and married). I only have the 2 grand daughters who along with my 3 daughters mean the world to me and are my life. I had worked for 15 years as a sales rep for a telecommunications equipment company and now I am a product of the darned economy. I am currently separated from my second wife.

My brother Terry is married and lives in Texas with 5 children and 8 grandchildren, brother Tim married and lives in Buffalo, NY and has 3 boys and his youngest has down syndrome, my sister Freda is married and lives in
Ogden, Utah and has one son and lost twin boys in 1980 and last sister is Diana and is divorced and lives in Bolivar with 5 children and 3 grandchildren.

On another note, my parents celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary on January 26th. I do still have a grandmother alive and she lives in Wellsville, NY and is 99. Her birthday is August 28th.

If there is anything else besides my life history I have already given you that you might like to know please ask. If you want or would like a more recent photo please ask. Thanks for allowing me to allow my former classmates know where I took off to.I enjoy reading your site on facebook.

I used to enjoy reading the newspaper until they changed it where you had to pay to read most of it. I was hoping they would come up with some kind of price for out of state people for the internet only.

Thanks again and I look forward to hearing from you especially if you would like more photos or information.