Well I got to remembering my ole buddy, early this morning. CJ will always be missed around our house. He and Betty were great friends, and were both members of the Eastern Star Chapter with us. He and I were both Past Masters of our respective Masonic Lodges too. He at Newell, and, after I finally grew up & got my act together in '99, I at Mint Hill. Always cherish the many nights out visiting Lodges around the Queen City. He knew "everybody" who was anybody in Charlotte, through his career in law enforcement. At his funeral, I will never forget how many lined up to bid him farewell at Hickory Grove Bapt. Just overwhelming to see him honored by so many important Masons, including Rev. Brown, and so many influential Charlotte citizens that day. They all knew, like I, CJ did a lot for our community, and layed his life on the line many times for others.
Several years before he passed, after I retired the first time, he and I got to running together several times a week, at least. He could not drive at night, so I'd pick him up. He just loved to get out of the house and ride, and tell me all about his favorite places, one of which we both visited a number of times over the years, "Flamingos" out N. Tryon, remember that"? We loved going to the outer banks and fishing together. One of the greatest times we ever had together was when he took me to the final four one year here in Charlotte. Boy, did he hoop it up. When he got excited, he'd cough a little.
I will always credit CJ for getting me involved in the NRA, knowing the correct way to carry concealed, and fire a pistol. In fact, he gave me his police concealed carry leg holster that I wear almost every night I'm out with my family these days. One of the most unique pieces of information I ever got from him, was to always use a revolver, never an automatic pistol; the barrel on an automatic would heat up and cause it to jam. A revolver never would. He was right, and I think they still teach that in the Marines, even today.
CJ was one of a kind, and those of you close to him knew where he stood on about any issue. If you didn't, he would make sure. He'd lean on ya some, and make you focus, or make up your mind, real quick, about any uncomitted issues you had hanging around in your brain. But, if I really needed to interrupt him or get his attention, I would call him "Crawford". He'd shut up for a while then. But, with his one eye, he saw life from about every angle, more intelligently, than most of us with two. I learned so much about life from CJ, he just had a communicative style that I liked. Same as bad bad whiskey, stout & straight up! Here's to ya, "W. Brother". dd
D. Denny Allen
Well I got to remembering my ole buddy, early this morning. CJ will always be missed around our house. He and Betty were great friends, and were both members of the Eastern Star Chapter with us. He and I were both Past Masters of our respective Masonic Lodges too. He at Newell, and, after I finally grew up & got my act together in '99, I at Mint Hill. Always cherish the many nights out visiting Lodges around the Queen City. He knew "everybody" who was anybody in Charlotte, through his career in law enforcement. At his funeral, I will never forget how many lined up to bid him farewell at Hickory Grove Bapt. Just overwhelming to see him honored by so many important Masons, including Rev. Brown, and so many influential Charlotte citizens that day. They all knew, like I, CJ did a lot for our community, and layed his life on the line many times for others.
Several years before he passed, after I retired the first time, he and I got to running together several times a week, at least. He could not drive at night, so I'd pick him up. He just loved to get out of the house and ride, and tell me all about his favorite places, one of which we both visited a number of times over the years, "Flamingos" out N. Tryon, remember that"? We loved going to the outer banks and fishing together. One of the greatest times we ever had together was when he took me to the final four one year here in Charlotte. Boy, did he hoop it up. When he got excited, he'd cough a little.
I will always credit CJ for getting me involved in the NRA, knowing the correct way to carry concealed, and fire a pistol. In fact, he gave me his police concealed carry leg holster that I wear almost every night I'm out with my family these days. One of the most unique pieces of information I ever got from him, was to always use a revolver, never an automatic pistol; the barrel on an automatic would heat up and cause it to jam. A revolver never would. He was right, and I think they still teach that in the Marines, even today.
CJ was one of a kind, and those of you close to him knew where he stood on about any issue. If you didn't, he would make sure. He'd lean on ya some, and make you focus, or make up your mind, real quick, about any uncomitted issues you had hanging around in your brain. But, if I really needed to interrupt him or get his attention, I would call him "Crawford". He'd shut up for a while then. But, with his one eye, he saw life from about every angle, more intelligently, than most of us with two. I learned so much about life from CJ, he just had a communicative style that I liked. Same as bad bad whiskey, stout & straight up! Here's to ya, "W. Brother". dd