Dear 1978 MM Grads,

I regret to inform you all that last night November 22nd, 2005 one of our classmates - Jim Olmstead passed away. He was driving and rear ended a semi truck that had stopped on the highway for construction. No one else was hurt in the crash.

I know this families situation personally. Jim's son Casey and my son are best friends. It has been a hard road for this family the past 4 years, and each year it seems to get harder, and this will not help. Jim was a good provider and a nice man to his family. Casey has been the absolute perfect kid in the midst of what would have swallowed up many of our kids. He is now a freshman at Seattle Pacific University this fall and is going to become a engineer. He was one of the top students in his class last year at MMHS, and worked about 20 - 30 hours per week at Bud Clary Chevrolet to make ends meet this past year. He was one of the key basketball players on last years 2nd in State basketball team. He helped to start the new Mark Morris Hall of Fame that will be inducting our 1978 State Champion basketball team on Dec. 9th at the MM vs. Kelso basketball game. Casey became one of the leaders of MMHS Young Life this past year and has held the high road at all times. What I'm trying to say is his family is going to need some serious help and comfort this holiday season. If you would like to help send a check made out to "MMHS Class of 1978" to my business address listed below. I'll lump them all together and write one check out to Casey and let him know that we care about him and his family as fellow class members of his Dads graduating class of 1978. Casey will have to step into some roles that no one his age should have to do. It will fall to Grandparents to step in, too in this particular situation. He received many scholarships toward college, but last night's tragedy will make things get much harder. Please pray for Casey and the family as they will need comforting in the coming weeks. Funeral arrangements have not been made yet, but if you would like to know email me back, and I'll make sure to get those to you. Please share this with any classmates you are in contact with.

May you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving weekend.

Your friend always,

Darren Talley