Sunnyside High School Alumni
Tucson, Arizona (AZ)
Recent Members
| Crispin Salazar | 1991 |
| Deborah Johnson | 1981 |
| Jessica Kinman Jessica Payton | 1974 |
| Leo Hernandez Leo Hernandez | 1978 |
| Monalisa Bessett | 1978 |
| Ronald Low Ronald Low | 1969 |
| Will E | 1979 |
| Willy Cruz | 1979 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your Sunnyside High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Blue Devils lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni
Alfred C. Nelson Jr
Class of 1961
Army, 20+ Years
Infantry Commander Viet Nam 1968-69. Earned 2 Silver Stars, 3 Bronze Stars (2 with V), 2 Prurple Hearts, Air Medal, Cross of Galantry, Combat Infantryman Badge, Also during 30 year career earned 5 Meritorous Service Medals, 2 Army Accomodatin Medals, 1 Army Achivement Medal, and 1 award of Legion of Merit. Retired in the grade of Major. Served tours in Germany, Korea, Viet Nam, Fort Benning, Riley, Carson, Leonard Wood, Polk, and Alaska.
Class of 1961
Army, 20+ Years
Infantry Commander Viet Nam 1968-69. Earned 2 Silver Stars, 3 Bronze Stars (2 with V), 2 Prurple Hearts, Air Medal, Cross of Galantry, Combat Infantryman Badge, Also during 30 year career earned 5 Meritorous Service Medals, 2 Army Accomodatin Medals, 1 Army Achivement Medal, and 1 award of Legion of Merit. Retired in the grade of Major. Served tours in Germany, Korea, Viet Nam, Fort Benning, Riley, Carson, Leonard Wood, Polk, and Alaska.
Bill Moody
Class of 1964
Army, 3 Years
Military Police Dog Handler.in the US Army. Vetnam Veteran
Class of 1964
Army, 3 Years
Military Police Dog Handler.in the US Army. Vetnam Veteran
Charles W. Sutphen
Class of 1960
Army, 20+ Years
Did a hitch in the Navy, reserves for about two years, then 16 years in the Army. Served in combat in Vietnam in 1968, received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, and others during my career. Retired in 1982.
Class of 1960
Army, 20+ Years
Did a hitch in the Navy, reserves for about two years, then 16 years in the Army. Served in combat in Vietnam in 1968, received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, and others during my career. Retired in 1982.
daniel walker
Class of 1964
Navy, 4 Years
served as a plane capt for fighter squadron 53. participated in the battle of tonkin gulf in aug 1964 off coast of vietnam which initiated the war. did two tours vietnam service. discharged as an e-3.
Class of 1964
Navy, 4 Years
served as a plane capt for fighter squadron 53. participated in the battle of tonkin gulf in aug 1964 off coast of vietnam which initiated the war. did two tours vietnam service. discharged as an e-3.
David Valenzuela
Class of 1980
Marine Corps, 14 Years
Served with 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division Camp Pendleton, Ca
Desert Storm/ Iraqi Freedom Veteran (2 combat tours) Injured in Iraq and returned to Tucson, Az
Class of 1980
Marine Corps, 14 Years
Served with 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division Camp Pendleton, Ca
Desert Storm/ Iraqi Freedom Veteran (2 combat tours) Injured in Iraq and returned to Tucson, Az
Fernando Morelos
Class of 1980
Air Force, 20+ Years
Air Traffic Controller
Assignments: Dyess AFB Abilene TX., Sheppard AFB Wichita Falls TX., Kunsan AB South Korea, Holloman AFB New Mexico
Class of 1980
Air Force, 20+ Years
Air Traffic Controller
Assignments: Dyess AFB Abilene TX., Sheppard AFB Wichita Falls TX., Kunsan AB South Korea, Holloman AFB New Mexico
Fred Wilson
Class of 1967
Air Force, 4 Years
Environmental & Military Public Health
Class of 1967
Air Force, 4 Years
Environmental & Military Public Health
Gary Childs
Class of 1963
Army, 2 Years
Inducted Aug 9, 1967 stationed at Ft Bliss, Texas for basic training.After basic I was stationed at Ft Polk, La.for advanced infantry training at the jungle warfare facility called Tigerland. Sent to Viet Nam April 9, 1968 and assigned to Charlie Company 4 of the 12th 199th Light Infantry Brigade. I returned to the states on April 9, 1969 and was discharged at the Oakland Army Terminal in Oakland California.
Class of 1963
Army, 2 Years
Inducted Aug 9, 1967 stationed at Ft Bliss, Texas for basic training.After basic I was stationed at Ft Polk, La.for advanced infantry training at the jungle warfare facility called Tigerland. Sent to Viet Nam April 9, 1968 and assigned to Charlie Company 4 of the 12th 199th Light Infantry Brigade. I returned to the states on April 9, 1969 and was discharged at the Oakland Army Terminal in Oakland California.
Gary l Riggs
Class of 1968
Army, 2 Years
Drafted on Dec. 9,1969-Nov. 1971, Ft. Lewis, Washington for Basic. Amberg, Germany-Motor Pool Mechanic, Hawk Missile Unit.
Class of 1968
Army, 2 Years
Drafted on Dec. 9,1969-Nov. 1971, Ft. Lewis, Washington for Basic. Amberg, Germany-Motor Pool Mechanic, Hawk Missile Unit.
James F. Hyder, Jr.
Class of 1965
Army, 4 Years
Jimmy served in Vietnam in 1966-67. Born July 25, 1947 died June 8, 2013 Thank you for your service to our country.
Class of 1965
Army, 4 Years
Jimmy served in Vietnam in 1966-67. Born July 25, 1947 died June 8, 2013 Thank you for your service to our country.
Jerald Burelison
Class of 1964
Navy, 20+ Years
Joined 3 days after graduation in 1964, separated in 1969 rejoined 1971 and retired in 1991. Did 5 tours in Vietnam, was stationed about the USS Constellation, USS Colonial, USS Dixon & USS Tripoli. Also station NCS Stockton, Stockton, CA, NCS United Kingdom, Thurso, Scotland, NCU Key West, FL. Retired from HG AFNORTH NATO Comman, Oslo, Norway. Now retired in Snowflake, AZ. Married Phyllis Zachary class of 65'.
Class of 1964
Navy, 20+ Years
Joined 3 days after graduation in 1964, separated in 1969 rejoined 1971 and retired in 1991. Did 5 tours in Vietnam, was stationed about the USS Constellation, USS Colonial, USS Dixon & USS Tripoli. Also station NCS Stockton, Stockton, CA, NCS United Kingdom, Thurso, Scotland, NCU Key West, FL. Retired from HG AFNORTH NATO Comman, Oslo, Norway. Now retired in Snowflake, AZ. Married Phyllis Zachary class of 65'.
John "Lucky" Lopez
Class of 1974
Air Force, 20+ Years
Served the Air Force for 23 years, retired as a Master Sergeant, stationed @Norton AFB CA, Travis AFB CA, Yokota AB Japan, Clark AB Philippines, Charleston AFB SC, Diego Garcia, Indian Ocean, Patrick AFB, Florida. Aircraft Maintenance, C-141s, C-130's Special Ops and Search & Rescue, HH-60s, C-17s.
Class of 1974
Air Force, 20+ Years
Served the Air Force for 23 years, retired as a Master Sergeant, stationed @Norton AFB CA, Travis AFB CA, Yokota AB Japan, Clark AB Philippines, Charleston AFB SC, Diego Garcia, Indian Ocean, Patrick AFB, Florida. Aircraft Maintenance, C-141s, C-130's Special Ops and Search & Rescue, HH-60s, C-17s.
Ken Saner
Class of 1963
Marine Corps, 3 Years
MOS: (0311) Grunt - Joined Marines June 25th 1964 along with three other SSHS graduates, Kress Goeltzenleuchter class of (63), Tom Madaras & Mike Stevenson, class of (64) - Bootcamp, MCRD, SanDiego, June 25th to Oct. 6th 1964 - Stationed at Camp Pendleton with the 1st Marine Division, Oct. (64) to Jan. (65) - Served one tour of duty in Vietnam with 1st Battallion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, March (65) thru April (66) - Upon returning stateside, stationed at Twentynine Palms, Calif. until discharged, June 25th, 1967
Class of 1963
Marine Corps, 3 Years
MOS: (0311) Grunt - Joined Marines June 25th 1964 along with three other SSHS graduates, Kress Goeltzenleuchter class of (63), Tom Madaras & Mike Stevenson, class of (64) - Bootcamp, MCRD, SanDiego, June 25th to Oct. 6th 1964 - Stationed at Camp Pendleton with the 1st Marine Division, Oct. (64) to Jan. (65) - Served one tour of duty in Vietnam with 1st Battallion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, March (65) thru April (66) - Upon returning stateside, stationed at Twentynine Palms, Calif. until discharged, June 25th, 1967
Leonard Aros
Class of 1990
Air Force, 12 Years
Enlisted then Commissioned Officer; deployed to Turkey, Norway, Egypt, Korea, Okinawa, currently in Germany as a DoD Engineer.
Class of 1990
Air Force, 12 Years
Enlisted then Commissioned Officer; deployed to Turkey, Norway, Egypt, Korea, Okinawa, currently in Germany as a DoD Engineer.
Martin R "Gunny" Barreras
Class of 1983
Army, 20+ Years
American Army non-commissioned officer who held the rank of Command Sergeant Major, and played a crucial role into the rescue of Jessica Lynch in 2003.[1]
Barreras was born in Tularosa, New Mexico in 1964. His family moved to Tucson, AZ in 1974 where he attended and graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1982. In 1983, Barreras first enlisted in the Marine Corps. Six years later, he was transferred to the Ranger Regiment and served under the Regiment until 2010.[2] During his military career, he spent most of his service in Iraq and Afghanistan. On May 6, 2014, Barreras was shot in Afghanistan. Several days later he was returned to the United States, where he died in the San Antonio medical hospital.
Class of 1983
Army, 20+ Years
American Army non-commissioned officer who held the rank of Command Sergeant Major, and played a crucial role into the rescue of Jessica Lynch in 2003.[1]
Barreras was born in Tularosa, New Mexico in 1964. His family moved to Tucson, AZ in 1974 where he attended and graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1982. In 1983, Barreras first enlisted in the Marine Corps. Six years later, he was transferred to the Ranger Regiment and served under the Regiment until 2010.[2] During his military career, he spent most of his service in Iraq and Afghanistan. On May 6, 2014, Barreras was shot in Afghanistan. Several days later he was returned to the United States, where he died in the San Antonio medical hospital.
Patrick O'Brien
Class of 1969
Navy, 4 Years
Enlisted in May of 1970, boot camp in San Diego. Avaition Electronics "A" school in Memphis Tenn. "C" school in Md. the 34 monthes in VQ-3 in Guam. Aircrewman flying C-130 's all over the Pacific. Loved the flying just not the Navy or Guam. Got back to the world in 1974.
Class of 1969
Navy, 4 Years
Enlisted in May of 1970, boot camp in San Diego. Avaition Electronics "A" school in Memphis Tenn. "C" school in Md. the 34 monthes in VQ-3 in Guam. Aircrewman flying C-130 's all over the Pacific. Loved the flying just not the Navy or Guam. Got back to the world in 1974.
Paul Perkins
Class of 1985
Army, 18 Years
US Army Military Police Officer. Served 3 tour in Afghanistan. Change my job to a door gunner on a black hawk. Current in school for a recruiter.
Class of 1985
Army, 18 Years
US Army Military Police Officer. Served 3 tour in Afghanistan. Change my job to a door gunner on a black hawk. Current in school for a recruiter.
Rebecca Staup
Class of 1970
Navy, 4 Years
Oboist, English horn player with U.S. Navy Band in Washington, D.C.
Class of 1970
Navy, 4 Years
Oboist, English horn player with U.S. Navy Band in Washington, D.C.
Thomas E Jaimez
Class of 1974
Army, 20+ Years
US ARMY RETIRED,Still Serving Proudly @ FT HOOD TEXAS
Class of 1974
Army, 20+ Years
US ARMY RETIRED,Still Serving Proudly @ FT HOOD TEXAS
Tom Feldt
Class of 1967
Air Force, 4 Years
Stationed in Alaska, Colorado, Louisiana as Security Police. Also Viet Nam where I was assigned to the ROK white horse division as a liason Officer. (This was an Army position but they pulled out and I got stuck with them).
Class of 1967
Air Force, 4 Years
Stationed in Alaska, Colorado, Louisiana as Security Police. Also Viet Nam where I was assigned to the ROK white horse division as a liason Officer. (This was an Army position but they pulled out and I got stuck with them).
Walter L Catton (Wally)
Class of 1977
Army, 4 Years
Was Armored Reconnaissance Scout Sgt E-5, Served in Korea, Texas and European theater
Class of 1977
Army, 4 Years
Was Armored Reconnaissance Scout Sgt E-5, Served in Korea, Texas and European theater
Walter Y. Tang
Class of 1988
Marine Corps, 10 Years
Marines Corps 8th PSC and on the way to Africa for about 7 to 8 month
Class of 1988
Marine Corps, 10 Years
Marines Corps 8th PSC and on the way to Africa for about 7 to 8 month
Alumni Stories
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School News
Yearbooks
If you go to the Sunnyside Unified School District website, you can access yearbooks as they are scanned and uploaded. H...
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Our Sunnyside High School military alumni are some of the most outstanding people we know and this page recognizes them and everything they have done! Not everyone gets to come home for the holidays and we want our Sunnyside High School Military to know that they are loved and appreciated. All of us in Tucson are proud of our military alumni and want to thank them for risking their lives to protect our country!