Ruby and John Lomax celebrate 60 years Ruby and John Lomax celebrate 60 years (February 23, 2005)

Ruby and John Lomax, residents of Menlo Park since 1979, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a renewal of their wedding vows, followed by a reception, on Saturday, March 5, at Royal Hodge Masonic Center in Menlo Park.

The couple was married in Dundee, Illinois, on March 3, 1945, while Mr. Lomax was serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

After his military service, Mr. Lomax received his bachelor's degree from the University of Washington.

They moved to the Bay Area, where Mr. Lomax earned a master's degree in electronics at Stanford University, and their first child, William R. Lomax, was born. Two more children, Gregory M. Lomax and Lynn Lomax (Grassano), were born during the time Mr. Lomax worked as an electronics engineer for Boeing Aircraft in Seattle. Kenneth Lomax was born when the couple returned to the Bay Area

Mr. Lomax did research on radio communications at SRI International for 19 years, then was hired to establish the Law Enforcement Support Agency in Tacoma, Washington. He returned to SRI for another 12 years, working in communications research and design, and in management until retiring in 1990.

As a private citizen, Mr. Lomax worked on flood prevention on San Francisquito Creek, served as an assistant scout master, and taught gun safety at Stanford University. He has published four books on the descendants of Lomax immigrants to the colonies.

Mr. Lomax was elected to the board of the West Bay Sanitary District in 1999. Re-elected in 2003, he is serving his second term on the public board.

Ms. Lomax earned a degree in horticulture in addition to being a full-time wife, mother and PTA mom. She also served as a volunteer in the State of Washington Agricultural Service, providing advice on plant problems to farmers. She arranged the flowers for the altar at Bethany Lutheran Church in Menlo Park for many years.

In retirement, the Lomaxes, who have eight grandchildren, have traveled extensively. The entire family will cruise to Alaska this summer in celebration of the anniversary.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.