Thanks to Ruston for 14 wonderful years!

I have had 14 wonderful years in Ruston. I have made so many friends and had what I think were great adventures. I am so thankful for them except for the passing of Jackie, my wife of 63 tears, the first year we were here. Kerry and John, my daughter and son-in-law, have given me a spot for my trailer in their yard all these years. Here is a picture of the view from the back of my trailer.

What a nice trailer spot. One of the prettiest that I have ever had.

Unfortunately my time here is coming to an end. John and Kerry are moving 248 miles south to Franklinton. They will be ten miles from their only grand daughter, Johnny Lynn. Next Thursday, June 18, 2020 I will be moving my trailer to their new yard. Their new house is on a 110 acre lake.

During these last 14 years I have made many trips. Four to the East Coast. One to place Jackie's ashes in our bury spot in the Arlington National Cemetery and one trip to place the ashes of Christopher my oldest son in the burial plot with his Mother. Made a trip to the home of my first American grandfather. He moved over here from England around 1625. He is buried in Newhaven, CN. I made more trips than that to the West Coast.

During these 14 years I was a repeat attendee at many civil functions. Morning coffee meetings, VFW meetings, Louisiana Tcch sports events, and for 13 years I attended swim class at Tech. I made dozens of good friends. I know the faces of several hundred people that I attended functions with for many years. Knew the names of many.

My first foray into the social life pf Ruston was attending early (like 5 am) coffee at the Jefferson Corner service station and convenience store. These coffee meetings went for hours with attendees coming and going. Seated would be 10 to 25 people. We settled a lot of problems and fought many battles. Once in a while there would be some gossiping.

This is the crew that ran Jefferson Corner. They became lifelong friends of mine. I fell in love with them. Two daughters and a Mom. Visiting 2 hours a day, five days a week, for ten years makes it possible to form a lot of friendships and to fall in love.

Another group I was part of is the local chapter of the VFW.

This plumber and I served at Camp Cooke, California for a period of several months in 1943.

I am a member in good standing of the Cook Baptist First Thursday Pot Luck.

I also attend Saturday Breakfast at the old Unionville Store.

We did not have enough to eat in Ruston. So three times this young man drove a car full of us hungry guys to Does Eat Place in Greenville, MS. Part of the charm of Does is the armed guard at the door. It is 150 miles to Greenville.

I was a student at Louisiana Tech. I carried three units in swimming. Swam three days a week for13 years. I was scheduled to graduate in 17 more years. I met my teacher out of class at a football game. I fell in love with her too.

Jewrtt and Sue Farley even took me to the Bean Fest in Mountain View, AK. Music and outhouse races added to the good times.

They also took me to the Country Club for Sunday Brunch. That is Jewett and Sue at each end of the table. A grand daughter and a sister fill up the group.

I served on the board of the local Council on Aging for several years. I enjoyed having lunch at the Senior Center. Made many friends.

It is with a heavy heart that I bid farewell to my life in Ruston. But I am sure that I will enjoy Franklinton. Watching gradchildren and visitors swim in the lake.. I am staying with the same VA doctor in Monroe. I will come back once a year for a physical. I plan to stay several days and do lots of visiting. A huge part of my life is invested in Ruston.

Bless you all and thanks from the bottom of my heart for being so nice to me.

 WONDERFUL 14 YEARS!