- First, I'd like to say that I appreciate the great education I received at Shawnee High School. I especially appreciated and enjoyed three outstanding faculty members - Mrs. Sloan - Math, Mr. Bagian - Science and Mr. Gary - History. Also, I have to applaud the outstanding cafeteria crew who knew how to cook wonderful meals and especially the scrumptious apple pie- "ummm-good"!
- After graduation, I went to work for Inland Containers Corp. on Old Shepherdsville Road in 1958. They manufactured corrugated boxes for many large companies such as G.E., Falls City, Dole and many others. I, of course, started at the bottom, but worked my way up to Assistant Buyer in four years. My job was to purchase and keep track of everything that the entire plant needed, except for the kraft paper used in the corrugation process. While working there, I was encouraged by my good friend, Dr. Alton T. Embry (one of our classmates) to attend Palmer College of Chiropractic, in Davenport, IA. Inland allowed me to take off and I attended four semesters. However, my money ran out and I had to resign myself to working for a living. In June of 1965, I was finally hired by the L&N Railroad and I started in Sales & Marketing, where, in a short time, I was making freight rates. Later, I worked in the Divisions department where we divided the revenues between all the railroads involved in each train movement. In early 1976, the L&N merged with the S.C.L. Railroad located in Jacksonville, Florida. We were told we could take a severance or they would move us to Jacksonville. DUH!!! So, I moved in August 1976 to beautiful Jacksonville where my new offices were located on the banks of the St. Johns River. After a couple years, I transferred into the Purchasing Department, where I purchased sundry items, including car and locomotive parts and spent $4 to $5 million a week. In 1989, after we had merged with yet another Railroad (B&D/C&O), I took a buyout that was offered to anyone that would take it. So after 24 years, I needed a change. My parents had retired to the Orlando area and also my only sibling - my sister had moved here too. They insisted on me moving here to be close to them as they were getting up in age, so I moved here to help out. I sold real estate for about a year, but it was a very tough situation, almost like now. I decided to try something new. I took a job with Florida Auto Auction of Orlando. We are owned by Cox Enterprises which also owns Cox Cable, Newspapers (including the Atlanta Journal & Constitution), Radio and TV stations all over the United States and auto auctions all over the world, including: China, France, Sweden, Germany, England and Australia. They own Auto Trader, Auto Trader.com, Dent & Chip Wizard among other things, including a coffee plantation in Kona, Hawaii. However, after 16 years, I am retiring at the end of July, 2008. That, folks, is my work history - almost 50 years - I think I deserve to retire - right?
- Now here's my personal life. In April of 1965, I married Charlotte Gribbins from Fairdale High. She graduated in 1963. In 1970, I helped build our new home just off Manslick Road. It was a beautiful tri-level on a small hill. We divorced after 12 years just before I moved to Jacksonville. We had no children. While in Jacksonville, I married Merle Miracle Miller, who graduated from Southern High. We divorced in 1978. In 1980, I married Rosa Scott, who was originally from Georgia. That lasted only 1-1/2 years - we divorced. I remain single. I live in a gated 55 or over community just north of the Orlando area. It's fantastic and very quiet.
- Accomplishments: After graduation, when I went to work at Inland, I met a fellow employee who was playing in a country band. He invited me to audition and after auditioning, I joined that band. We played all over the Louisville area, including the fairgrounds and Southern Indiana. Later we acquired new members and played in a wider area. In the late 60's, Country Music Hall of Famer Pee Wee King picked up my whole band to travel with him and Redd Stewart and two sisters who sang and danced during our appearances. We traveled from Wisconsin to Alabama and all in between. We played at several Air Force and Army bases and stayed in the VIP quarters. We were also guests backstage at the Ryman Auditorium for the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. We were fortunate to appear in various shows with such greats as Grand Pa Jones, Bill Anderson, Hank Snow, "Jumpin" Bill Carligle, Jack Green, "String Bean", The Luvin Brothers, Tom Paul & The Glazer Brothers and many more I can't think of at this writing. We parted ways after 1-1/2 years. Also, I played softball for Inland, L&N, SCL, CSX and 2 different church teams. I played bass guitar for a local gospel quartet in Louisville - The Kings Quartet. We had the privilege of appearing at Memorial Auditorium with J.D. Sumner and The Stamps Quartet, who backed up Elvis for many years in Las Vegas. We went out to eat after the concert and J.D. talked a lot about Elvis and his generosity. We played at many local churches and recorded an album. Of course, when I was transferred to Jacksonville, I had to leave both groups. I owned two businesses. One was a men's clothing store located on Preston Street close to the hospital and one in Mt. Washington, which was a carpet, vinyl, tile, furniture and appliance store. I installed carpet in many churches and homes and even a skating rink and pizza parlor.
- I'm a pilot and owned two different aircraft. First a Piper Cherokee 140 and then a Piper Cherokee 180. I truly enjoyed flying. I flew out of Bowman Field Kentucky Flying Service, but landed several times at Standiford. I am also a bonafide KY Colonel signed by Governor Julian Carroll. I have held a Florida real estate license since 1988.
- I have been an avid traveler. I have been in every state but five. I have been to Hawaii 12 or 13 times. I did own a time-share two bedroom, two bath unit in Kehei, Maui called Maui Hill. I have made several road trips west of 7-8,000 miles each. I have been to Mexico, the Bahamas and Canada numerous times. One of my favorite places (besides Hawaii) is Yellowstone, where I stayed inside the park once. I have lived in six states, Georgia, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Kentucky and Iowa. I think I have been kind of busy. I truly have been blessed, even tho "Old Arthur" showed up several years ago and I can no longer play my guitar, however, I can still play bass and I'm also playing keyboard at my church almost every Sunday. I hope to see you all in September.
- God Bless!