How do you say goodby to 65 years of friendship? I'm not sure, but here goes. In Miss Mahaffey's 3rd grade class she assigned Joe Sullivan, Lynn Eisiminger and me to seats next to each other and friendship resulted. All through elementary we laughed together, suffered through tough teachers and were required to learn to Waltz in the 6th grade. Waltzing was required because "There will be dances in High School and you need to know how to dance correctly." I remember dancing in H.S. to Paul Revere and the Raiders , not Glenn Miller.
Junior High brought in new friends and our circle of friendship grew. High School formed even more friendships. But the small group from 3rd grade was still strong. Graduation resulted in a scattering of friends as we formed our adult lives. About every 10 years the class of 64 would get together to remember when. And at one of those reunions a small group (Joe, Gavin and me) asked each other "What if....? with a respone of "Why Not!" And the circle of friends became larger with reunions of 62-66.
Yes there were times patience shortened , miles were logged and timelines nearly missed but to Joe it was worth it. I remember the excitement in his voice when he would say " Guess who's coming this time?" and another friendship would be renewed after many years. Was it worth it , Joe would say "Yes." Those times were not to just remember back then but they created new memories as we all met the adult classmates. Many times Joe would say "Hey, did you know this about classmate X , I wish I had know earlier."
As the years have passed and our steps have slowed (we still dance to Johnny Limbo) each reunion becomes important because the circle of old and new friends becomes smaller. At the end of each reunion as we say our goodbys there is always a little lump in the throat because we know for some it will be our last goodby.
Thank you Joe for being my friend and a friend to many others. After 65 years this is a last Goodby.
Denice Hughes (Lewis) (1964)
My hearfelt condolences for the family and friends of Joe. Denice Hughes Lewis
Thomas Blaylock (1964)
So sorry to learn about Joe's passing. Such an all around great guy. He will be missed by so many. Our thoughts are with Lynn and family. R.I.P. Joe
Tom and Marolyn Blaylock
Toby Lynn Beery (Clauson-Falor) (1964)
Toby Beery Clauson - 1964
How do you say goodby to 65 years of friendship? I'm not sure, but here goes. In Miss Mahaffey's 3rd grade class she assigned Joe Sullivan, Lynn Eisiminger and me to seats next to each other and friendship resulted. All through elementary we laughed together, suffered through tough teachers and were required to learn to Waltz in the 6th grade. Waltzing was required because "There will be dances in High School and you need to know how to dance correctly." I remember dancing in H.S. to Paul Revere and the Raiders , not Glenn Miller.
Junior High brought in new friends and our circle of friendship grew. High School formed even more friendships. But the small group from 3rd grade was still strong. Graduation resulted in a scattering of friends as we formed our adult lives. About every 10 years the class of 64 would get together to remember when. And at one of those reunions a small group (Joe, Gavin and me) asked each other "What if....? with a respone of "Why Not!" And the circle of friends became larger with reunions of 62-66.
Yes there were times patience shortened , miles were logged and timelines nearly missed but to Joe it was worth it. I remember the excitement in his voice when he would say " Guess who's coming this time?" and another friendship would be renewed after many years. Was it worth it , Joe would say "Yes." Those times were not to just remember back then but they created new memories as we all met the adult classmates. Many times Joe would say "Hey, did you know this about classmate X , I wish I had know earlier."
As the years have passed and our steps have slowed (we still dance to Johnny Limbo) each reunion becomes important because the circle of old and new friends becomes smaller. At the end of each reunion as we say our goodbys there is always a little lump in the throat because we know for some it will be our last goodby.
Thank you Joe for being my friend and a friend to many others. After 65 years this is a last Goodby.