Comments:
Hello Friends,
A little about myself. Here goes,
I dropped out of school and worked a couple of jobs, one at Brunswick Mcgregor for nine months striping footballs, also managed the City Sports Center, the pool hall for several months.
Joined the Navy on November 19th 1963, just three days before President Kennedy was assassinated.
I met the girl that I would marry on August 21st 1964 and on February 26th of 1965 we were married. She is from Ventura, California.
I was in food service for my twenty years of naval service and was the senior mananger of the food service operation on three different ships.
Our oldest child was born in California, our next was born in the Republic of the Phillipines, our oldest son was born at home, yes just me, my wife and the lady next door. What an experience I shall never forget.
I served on 5 different ships, spent two tours in Vietnam on my first ship.
For those of you that may have served in the military here are the ships I served on.
USS NECHES (AO-47) tANKER
USS THOMAS J. GARY (DER-326) SPY SHIP
USS GLENNON (DD-840) WW11 DESTROYER
USS EDENTON (ATS-1) SUPER TUG W/DIVERS
USS HARLAN COUNTY (LST-1196) TROOP TRANSPORT/MARINES
I retired from the Navy as a Mess Specialist Chief Petty Officer E-7 February 1st 1984.
I had a temporary job at Mobil Chemical in Covington and at John Fry in Conyers.
I then landed a job at Foamex in Conyers as a shipping and receiving supervisor that lasted for 13 years, when the company moved to Orlando Florida.As I had traveled for 20 years in the Navy I wasn't about to relocate.
I had a job at the Newton County bus shop for one year taking care of the parts for all the buses.
I went to work for Rockdale County Parks and Recreation at Black Shoals, the Rockdale Reservoir for 2 years and at 58 years of age I fully retired.
I enjoy fishing in my spare time, mostly for largemouth, hybrid, and striped bass.
I am also involved in the American Legion in Conyers,I along with my brother Kyser have been in the Honor Guard performing military funerals for veterans complete with the 21 gun salute, flag presentation, and taps free of charge to the family of any veteran that served honorably in any of our armed forces.
We also visit senior complexes, high schools, post colors at events, etc, which keeps us fairly busy.
I have written a book about my life, growing up in Georgia,20 years of Navy experiences, and fishing experiences.
My youngest son is doing the final editing and I hope to have some copies soon.
I just mainly did it for something to leave behind for my kids and my grandchildren. we have seven that range from 8 to almost 19. They keep us busy too.
I guess I have went on too long so I will give it a rest for now.
