JACK CHAMBERS 1957 - 1984 STATION AGENT LIT OKC Hello Jack, Great seeing yall again at the reunion - just sorry that I had to leave early and miss most of the shindig. I'm writing about our conversation regarding the union at Central before ALEA.. I think that would be an interesting article to put in the newsletter. Most folks aren't even aware of that union's existence. I'd appreciate you writing me a letter about it: names of officers, when did it end & the circumstances, when did it start. etc. Thanks in advance for your help, -Jake Lamkins (8/28/01) I ran into Dave Sledge this week. He sold out and went to TUL when LIT closed. He is back in LIT now. I worked with Dave for years and he is a great guy. He was happy for all the news of FL. He is coming to the FYV-FSM PIGnic with us this year. He has never been but he knows Phil and a lot of the FSM crew. -Jack Chambers, Cabot AR (6/13/03) Leonard (Pratt) was one of the original heroes of flying and I guess he really did it all. A wonderful human being and a great friend - I loved being around him. He was/is a legend to some of us oldtimers. Leonard had lived at Heber Springs for years Rusty told me at the Picnic that Emmett had passed away. The stories that could be told on those guys would produce two best sellers. They were both American Originals. Never again will aviation see, or be, as it was in their day. Thank god I was a little part of it and got to know the main players. The ones who lived it and made it happen. It was our life: We lived it and loved it. -Jack Chambers (9/25/04) Hey Jake- Just to let you know we are finally online-after kids and grandkids we now have a Dell of our own. Jake if you have an e-mail for Fred Perry please send it to me. we are fine and looking forward to seeing everyone in August at the pignic. -Jack Chambers (4/7/06) Hi Jack, Great to hear from you and find that you're online. It makes it so much easier to keep in touch. I'll send you an invite to the free online FL Club which has over 600 members. Also check out the FL info at the website link below. Fred Perry's email is FHPerry@aol.com -Jake Lamkins (4/7/06) Letter Jake, I am sending info on Bernie Nagle (LIT station agent). Maybe you can use it in the paper. Also some photos I had taken at an old timer party we had in LIT a few years ago. Maybe you can use one of them. I have copies of these so don't bother to return them. His wife Barbara sent me the inter picture made in 1994. Bernie graduated from National School of Aeronautics in MKC in March 1961. He was hired by Central Airlines right out of school. He and Hank Goffart hired the same day and were sent to LIT - I trained them both. Truman Jones, Superintendant of stations, hired a lot of people right out of airline school in MKC in those days. Bernie was a prince of a guy and a loyal friend. Hard working and dependable, he was the epitome of an airline agent. Another perfect example of the rare breed of people who joined together to make Frontier Airlines the unique company that it was. Bernie was special - most of all he was a treasured friend. Bernard J. 'Bernie' Nagle January 28, 1932 - February 16,2007 Bernard J. 'Bernie' Nagle passed away on February 16, 2007, after a brief battle with cancer. He was 75 years old. Bernie worked as a station agent for Frontier Airlines in Little Rock, Ark., from 1961-1986 and for a short time in Denver, Colo. Upon retirement he moved back to his hometown of Altoona, Penn. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Barbara; son Matt; stepdaughter Christina Mitchell; stepson Gary Parsons; three grandchildren; one greatgrandson; two nieces; and one nephew. Bernie was preceded in death by son Daniel, and two sisters, Celeste and Helen Schorner of Altoona, Penn. He served in the United States Air Force from 1961-1966. He was an avid reader, gardener, woodworker, and a lifelong lover of jazz music. -Jack Chambers (2/28/07) Note with Xmas card: Jake, Sorry I missed the party in Ft. Smith this year. We built a new house and moved in March. I sold the house and 5 acres - too much work - we have 1 acre here. But not much to mow or clean. Sure hated moving, but it gave me a chance to unload 30 years of junk. We love the new house now that we are getting used to it. Kind of like living in a hotel for awhile - where are the cups? What did you do with my socks? What does this switch do? Anyway, with all that was going on, I had my eyes teted in June (routine deal) but Dr has found a nevus on my right eye. It's a spot like a mole or freckle - test, and more test - 3 doctors - finally ended up in Memphis at Univ. Tenn Med Center. Anyway it is a small .5 cm melanoma cancer. Many people get their hands, face, etc, and they are easy to burn off. On your eyeball it is different - they can cure it - but you lose vision in your eye. So, since it is small the Dr says wait. I go back to MEM in Jan '08 to retest. Hopefully it is slow growing and could have been there for years - we don't know. Tests in Jan should tell us more. Good News - 99.9% curable, with very small chance if would spread. Bad news is to cure it cost vision in your eye. They don't treat it until it is 2.5 or 3 cm - mine is .5. So it might be years yet - know more in Jan '08. My position is, I had rather be me growing old with one good eye than betting on beating cancer. I been telling you guys for years it hurts to get old. I will be 75 years old on Christmas Day. Thanks for all you do to keep the FLamily together. I truly believe we had the best group of people that ever worked for one company. Take care my friend, we can't lose you. Best to you always, Jack P.S. Have you ever had any contact with Lewis Johnston (HOT LIT OKC)? He came to LIT when HOT closed - then OKC when LIT closed. -Jack Chambers (12/1/07) Hi Jack, Sorry to hear about your eye problem. My dad always said, "Getting old ain't for sissies!" And he was right. Best wishes for no growth in that melanoma. Happy birthday on your 75th - that's a big one. You are pulling me along behind you - I was 65 in Sep. I have an address for Lewis but I'm not sure it's "our" Lewis. I remember him well but have not heard from him. Take care, -Jake Lamkins (12/4/07) A J CHAMBERS Station agent seniority date of 6/13/57, emp# 01360, on the 7/1/84 FL/ALEA seniority list but he's not on the 1/1/86 list. -Jake Lamkins (12/25/07) Letter: Re Lewis Johnston Jake, When we were kicked out of our happy home in Aug 86 Lewis went to work for UAL as a PT rampie. Haven't heard about him since. He lived in Mustang, OK which is a bedroom community just to the west. There is a Lewis Johnston listed in the OKC directory. Keep it going. -Jim Hildebrand OKC (1/24/08) Hey Jack, Did the Lewis Johnston contact I gave you last month turn out to be him? Jim Hildebrand wrote to say Lewis lived in Mustang, OK. Did you work with FL until the end or leave a year or so before? -Jake Lamkins (1/24/08) Jake - I wrote Lewis Johnston at the Mustang , Ok address as soon as I received your email, but never heard a word from him. He came to LIT when HOT closed and made the drive up every day - he never moved from HOT. He rode with Bill Sanders and James Greer - they traded off on driveng a lot. James is deceased and I guess Bill is still in HOT. When LIT closed Bill Sanders retired, James Greer went to HOU and Lewis and I went to OKC. I did not like that at all, meaning I am out of here, so I actually retired Nov. 15, 1984. I went to work for Executive Travel which within a year became Dillard Travel. I resigned and worked for the State of Ark for three years, then went to work for Fred Poe travel and stayed until Jan. 1, 2003 when I had my first bout of cancer in the bladder, which seems to be ok as of now. I go back for me check up in June it will be five years so maybe that one is over with. Nothing new on the eye - more test- last trip to Memphis Doc says wait and see - I go back in April . Thanks for all you do Jake - you are appreciated. -Jack Chambers (2/4/08) Note with subscription check: Dear Jake, All is well in Old Folks Land - sure miss having a good paying airline job, but I guess in time you get over it. I got a good report on my bad eye on my December check up - a no change (which is REAL GOOD) so we wait and see - next check up is April at Tenn. Med. Center in Memphis. Hope all is well with ypou - hope to see everyone this summer, but at our age every day is a blessing and a special gift. The FL News helps us all keep up, plus checking the emails. I never see any of my old LIT bunch. Makes you sad to see the state of the airlines now days - even the good ones like Delta are in a mess. What happened? I doubt if we can ever answer that. Thanks for all you do for the FLamily. Take care of your health old friend. Best always, -Jack Chambers (3/4/09) Jack told me at the reunion he worked for INDTW for four years before CN. He quit them to come home to LIT when wife became pregnant. He gave me several items - kiddie wings (2 RA ones) and some FL golf balls. He was one of the editors of the TW Skyliner newsletter and had a collection of them. -Jake Lamkins (8/21/10) Jake- Finally got PIGnic pictures printed. We had a good crowd and I enjoyed seeing everyone again. At our age every year is a special event. Thank you for so much time and effort spent keeping the FLamily together and saving our history. The older I get the more I realize what a special bunch of folks we worked with. Thanks to all of them - it was truly my pleasure to be a part of a great airline, and a special moment in time that will never be duplicated. But we were there, and so blessed to be a part of it. I have enough good memories to last me a lifetime. Take care my friend, and if you ever need anything - call me. -Jack Chambers (11/17/10) Hi Jake I wanted to let you know we would not be at the reunion this year. I had a mild stroke on June 1 and they have me slowing down some. I am doing good and all the tests on heart, head ,blood work etc is good. Doc says it was probably a one time thing since I have no perm damage he can find - except some mild short term memory of that day, June 1. I never felt better but they have restricted my driving some. I wanted to let you know that Arthur Lewis Jr, passed away on July 20, 2011. Ella Mae Canady called us the bad news - they came to the reunion as long as Arthur was able to drive down form Kansas City. We kept in touch, Christmas cards, etc and Ella May wanted you to know about his passing. You can find his obit at www.Elitefuneralchapelservice.com - Ella sent a copy to me from the paper. We should have several pictures of Arthur from past Pignics. I am not sure of the dates, but I think Arthur worked for FL several years- the obit says he was a pilot but I dont know if that part is true - I thought he was a grunt like the rest of us. (Art was a MKC/MCI agent.) Keep up the good work Jake, and thanks for taking care fo the FLamily. Best Regards , -Jack Chambers (8/8/11) Hi Jack, I'm sorry to hear about your stroke and your not being able to come to the reunion. Take care of yourself and get completely well. Thanks for the sad news about Art Lewis which I have passed on to the FLamily. He was quite a guy but I could tell he was declining when I spoke with him a year or so ago on the phone. Take care, -Jake Lamkins (8/9/11) Hi Jake - I wanted to let you know we are still here, and doing ok for old folks. Still have health issues as most of us have , but plan to be in FSM in Sept. in all goes well. I was wondering if you will mail a summer issue of FL News - I read the ink off mine- I have every issue from the first one- They are a part of our history too, thanks to you. I remember tht first time we talked about a newsletter at the Pignic one year, and started a money jar with everyone stuffing $20 or whatever thay had in it. Take care, see you next month. -Jack Chambers (8/5/12) Hi Jack, Always good hearing from you. Did I read your note right - you need me to send you another Summer issue or you never got the summer issue. Se yall in September. Jake (8/5/12) Jake - The last issue of News I had was Spring 2012 - wasn't sure you had mailed Summer issue. I didn't get one yet. I would love one if you have some left. Thanks, -Jack Chambers (8/5./12) Danged post office has gone to hell since I retired. I mailed summer issue out July 5th. Replacement copy for you in mail tomorrow. Thanks for letting me know. -Jake Lamkins (8/5/12) Letter with 4 pix from 2012 reunion: Hi Jake, Been meaning to send you these pics from reunion in Sept. Hope we can all make it another year. We are doing good so far. Got a foot of snow here. Now I remember why we left Indiana. Ha! We have missed the flu, but it is all around us. Hope all is well with you. Take care of yourself and be seeing you. Best Always, -Jack Chambers (1/11/13) Hi Jack, Thanks for the four pix you sent and I'm glad you're doing well. Happy belated 80th birthday. I'm attaching scans of the four pix for your files. I too have dodged the flu so far and doing well. My doc says I'm in pretty good shape for the shape I'm in. See ya later this year, ol' FLriend! -Jake Lamkins (1/11/13) Note with check: Dear Jake, Can't remember if I renewed or not, so sending a little money. Barbara Nagle sent me a box of things Bernie Nagle had saved. She called to see if I wanted to go thru it, so I told her to send it and would take it to you. I will bring it in Sept. She is still in Altoona, PA but getting remarried. We are good - hope you are the same. Take care of yourself. Best always, -Jack Chambers (7/9/13) Jake We plan to be at FSM reunion next week - not sure if any other LIT folks will be coming. I received the new hard copy newsletter and love it- lots better than the folded version. Hope all is well with you - we will catch up on all the news on Sep 13. Best to you, -Jack Chambers (9/2/14) Thanks, Jack, I'm pleased with the new format too. Looks more like a Frontier operation. See you the 13th! -Jake Lamkins (9/2/14) Note with 2014 FYV-FSM Reunion pix. Jake, We only got a few pictures this year. Too busy talking I guess. I had a great time. Good food, good fellowship, good friends. It does't get any better. Phil Stalling being there made it special And I never expected to see Bill Guthrie. He goes way back to Central days too. I think he started in 1957 when I did. One of the first mechanic I met. Thanks again old friend for keeping it going. Let's dance as long as the music plays. Take care & god bless. -Jack Chambers (9/17/14) Hey Jack, Great to have our annual visit and thank you for the pix. I have posted them for the FLamily at our Facebook page.. Thanks again, -Jake Lamkins (9/17/14) Jack phoned to see if I got the reunion pix okay that he sent. Since he's not online anymore he wanted to make sure. We chatted for 23 minutes and I really enjoyed it. Jack went to CN school with Tony Worden back in 1957. I told him that Ralph and Tony missed it due to having the wrong date. I told him I really appreciated him and Shirley getting the pix. -Jake Lamkins (9/9/15) Jake, Sorry to miss the reunion but too far for my old body - one day trip. Shirley and I are doing good just old. I am using Ark Democrat iPad. They furnish free with digital sub ..my old Dell bit the dust. Take care Old Friend let us know how you are doing -Jack Chambers (8/26/19) Hi Jack, Great hearing from you. I had been wondering how yall were. All's well here - we just had a great reunion. 18 people showed up including mechanic Fred Perry whom we had not seen in a long time. Here's a pic from it for you. Maybe you can make it next year. Regards, -Jake Lamkins (8/27/19) Jake, Let you know we are still here.. I had a pacemaker put in June. Doc said should last ten years - works good so far. Shirley still with me..she swears old age hurts... Boy I hope not, ha. Pray we can all miss the virus. Keep in touch old frriend, and lets keep hanging in there. FYI Larry Norman died last week...Natural State Funeral in Jax Ar -Jack Chambers (7/18/20) Hi Jack, Great to hear from you and find you're online again. Thanks for the info on Larry. I had been wondering if he was still around. All's well here but hated cancelling the reunion. Looks like this damned virus is gonna be around awhile. Take care and keep in touch. -Jake Lamkins (7/18/20) Jake Hope this finds you well. We are good some bad days along the way I did not see Marvin in the Gone West list of summer issue. He was the best boss I had with FL. A real fine man. We lost him and Larry Norman both this year. I have been trying to locate all the gang that remains. Take care of yourself and cherish today.. Jack Lamkins (9/29/20) Hi Jack, Did you just get the Summer issue? It was mailed Jun 29 before Marvn flew west. The post office totally screwed me on the Summer issue. So badly that I decided not to print hard copies and mail them anymore. They are posted online at the weblink below. The Fall issue is posted and has Marvin & Larry in it. Take care, -Jake Lamkins (9/30/20) HI Jake More Flamily flew west. Bob Washburn passed he is at Griffin Leggitt Funeral home In No, Little Rock. He was an old Central agent.We worked side by side for years. Re Summer News I did just receive it last day Sept. We are still hanging in there. Some days bad some good. Take care of your self We still need you. It is a better world with Jake. Our best always -Jack Chambers (10/12/20) Thanks, Jack, I remember Bob and sorry to hear his FLight West. Hang in there. -Jake Lamkins (10/12/20) Hi Jake Buddy Griffin passed away in October Smith Westbrook Funeral in Beebe. Shirley and I both still here - eyes bad but. health ok .I will be eighty nine Christmas . Take care. Keep in touch.. Have a great Thanksgiving. -Jack Chambers (11/21/21) Hi Jack, Great hearing from you but sorry about Buddy. He was a great guy. Best wishes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and your birthday. Next year we can celebrate your 90th and my 80th. Big hug for Shirley. -Jake Lamkins (11/24/21) Christmas Card from Jack Chambers on Dec 14, 2022 Jake, Every day here is a miracle. We are still here. Health about the same. I will be 90 on Christmas and Shirley is 86 in March. Still live at home but it does get harder. Hope you are well. I still drive but not far. So many great memories. Would do it all over again with gladness. Love and Prayers, Jack & Shirley Jack's daughter Jackie phoned me at noon to tell me Jack passed away last January at age 92. She apologized for taking so long to let me know but said she was still getting over it. She had some Frontier stuff that she was looking for a home for. I suggested one of the museums in Little Rock. Jack was a great guy and came to the FYV-FSM Reunions many times over the years. I found his obituary easily once I remembered his full name of Andrew Jackson Chambers. -Jake Lamkins (11/14/25) A J CHAMBERS Emp# 01360 M DOB 12/25/32 DOP 1/1/98 (pension starts) Per the Dec 1984 Pension Records, ALEA terminated voluntarily. Flew west 1/8/25, so he was 92 yrs, 14 days old. -Jake Lamkins (11/15/25) FLacebook FLIGHT WEST REPORTED JACK CHAMBERS 1957 - 1984 STATION AGENT LIT OKC https://anaturalstatefuneralservice.com/2025/01/andrew-jackson-chambers-age-92/ Jack was a friend for 50+ years and was a regular at our FYV-FSM reunions. He spent 27 years at LIT until it was closed in 1984. After a short time at OKC he quit and went home. In spite of many health problems, he made it to 92 years last Christmas. Post your remembrances of him. -Jake Lamkins (11/19/25) Fred Watson R.I.P. (11/19/25) Trish Swanson-Hawk Prayers to his wife Shirley, family and many friends. Jan Lefler Condolences to his wife and family. (11/20/25) FLacebook FLIGHT WEST POSTED JACK CHAMBERS 1957 - 1984 STATION AGENT LIT OKC http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Jack_Chambers.html Post your remembrances of him. -Jake Lamkins (11/29/25)