Thomas Cook

It was 9th grade - the Latin Bacchanalia. Everyone had to make a project for the festival. Jeff Garmong and I made a full-size Roman Litter. This was a device for carrying people around. It was Gold and white with 2 poles on the front and 2 on the rear for the "bearers." We carried Mrs Norris (Latin teacher) all around the festival and ultimately won first place. We built the litter in Jeff's basement. Jeff's mom made the curtains.

Jeff was a great guy. I have not seen him in years, but I will never forget him.

Tom Cook 

Fred Higgenbottom

Jeff was indeed a great guy!  After my sophomore year, we lost contact with each other as my parents moved our family to Tennessee where I completed High School and graduated from college. 

Jeff and I were "starters" on the 1963 Hobart Junior High football team which Jeff quarterbacked.  I was the offensive center who snapped the ball to both Jeff and the other backs and blocked for them.  Our 9th grade team was undefeated that year until the very last game of the season which was an away game.  To this day I have many wonderful memories of long and grueling practices in the dust bowl and also of the great pride in playing together as Brickies in the immortal "Brickie Bowl".  I was blessed to have gifted althetes, dependable friends and great teammates like Jeff Garmong, Mike Deal, Craig Buford, Leonard Duhon, Mike Benka, Jerry Wojihoski, Dennis Wronko and Bob Kospade.

The single wing formation was used with great success by our 1963 Hobart Junior High football team and although at times coach Barber was a task master we all knew that he cared deeply for each one of us as people as well as members of "his" team.  Jeff and I played basketball together too.  He was always popular, a fine athlete, a brilliant scholar and a true friend.  He'll be deeply missed.  May God bless you Jeff and may you rest in peace until that great awakening day!

Richard Raymond cactusdicktheump1@yahoo.com

It's been 2 years and every time I try to do this I can't get through without crying my eyes out.  Jeff was my best friend my mentor and my idol.  I named my son after him and dreamed of the day we would meet again. Our lives got in the way and we never got to gether.  I will bear this for the rest of my life, just a little extra effort and it would have happened.  Rest in pease my friend.