MGM Corp. filmed “The Naked Spur” in Durango, starring Janet Leigh and Jimmy Stewart. Virginia was hired as Janet’s double, and did all the horseback scenes for Janet. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity, to spend four months on the movie set located in the beautiful mountains of Colorado and get paid for it. Returning to Santa Paula, Virginia came back to the Limoneira and McKevett companies, where she continues to work for the Teague and McKevett families. Virginia has served as the personal secretary for Milton, Alfreida, Alan and even Chuck Teague, and feels honored to be a part of their business family all these years.When the Alumni Association was formed in 1982, Virginia accepted the responsibility of class correspondent for the Class of 1944; she has kept track of her classmates, and helped put on reunions for her class. Whenever the Association has a project, Virginia is always there to help out.She is still working part time for the Teague and McKevett families. It is always a special treat to see her in downtown Santa Paula, always with a smile for everyone.
Virginia Faudree Bougas, Class of 1944
October 14, 2005
Santa Paula High School
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The only child of Roy and Edith Warren Faudree, Virginia was born in Santa Paula. Roy came to Santa Paula in 1916, and was in the construction business. (If you look closely at the sidewalks in the older part of town, you will see “Made by Faudree Bros.”) Roy also made several houses in Santa Paula. Edith will be remembered as the dispatcher and matron for the Santa Paula Police Department for 32 years.
Virginia was educated at McKevett and Isbell Schools, and in the 1930s was in the Camp Fire Girls with Dorothy Harms Lincoln, Class of 1912. She entered high school with the Class of 1944.Some of Virginia’s pals at school were Helen Stafford, Mary Harding, Kathryn Shively, Shirley Good, Mary Louise Teeters, “Mike” Meukow, Betty Steans, Betty Ann Weiser and Pauline Tevis. These gals have been pals over these years, and still get together for a “slumber party” once every year.At SPHS, Virginia was active in the Girls Athletic Association and the Sportswomen Club. She was president of Girls League in her senior year, and a member of Tri-Y her last three years.After graduation, Virginia worked as executive secretary for the Boy Scouts of America for Elwood Greist and John Gessford. She worked for the Limoneira Company as a “Jack of all trades,” and then as the corporate secretary for the McKevett Corporation, the Teague-McKevett Co., Tapo Oil Company, Sisar Mutual Water Co. (a volunteer for 23 years), as director and treasurer for the Santa Paula Community Fund, and the director and secretary for the Limoneira Federal Credit Union.In 1946, Virginia was honored as the queen of the Santa Paula Rodeo, earning this title with her horseback riding skills. She led the Rodeo Parade, and served as queen for the two-day rodeo held at what is now Harding Park.In 1951, Virginia moved to Durango, Colorado to visit her friend Helen Stafford Craig (‘44). Helen married a licensed guide who had an elk hunting camp north of Durango that was only accessible by horseback. It was here that Virginia met her husband to be, James Bougas.Virginia and James were married in 1953, and were together until his passing in 1994. Jim had two children by a previous marriage, Dan and Kathy, who are special to Virginia. While living in Durango, Virginia worked for the Vanadium Corp., the Continental Oil Co., and also for the El Paso Natural Gas Co. in Farmington, New Mexico.
