Michael Lynd:
CLASS OF 1971
Lynwood High SchoolClass of 1971
Lynwood, CA
Whaley Junior High SchoolClass of 1968
Compton, CA
Janie P. Abbott Elementary SchoolClass of 1965
Lynwood, CA
Michael's Story
Laid back and fun loving. I always liked having a good time, and and I still do.
A good workout on the heavy bag is a great way to blow off steam; or running a half marathon once in awhile is good as well. My favorite way to relax is to drink a pina colada on the beach in Kaanapali, Maui while lying in the sun after snorkeling at Black Rock.
If I'm going to work somewhere, I need to have my blackberry, laptop, and a clear mind to be able to deal with the day-to-day.
I have lived in a variety of places since graduation. I left Lynwood when I went into the Army in September 1972. I went to Fort Ord, CA for basic training, Fort Benning, GA for jump school, Fort Gordon, GA for advanced training, back to Fort Benning for pathfinder training, and then to Schoffield Barracks, HI. I then went to Korea, back to CA, to Fort Bliss, TX, Fort Lewis, WA, Fort Campbell, KY, and several places in Germany. I returned to CA in 1981, left the Army and moved to Long Beach where I lived while I completed the LA Sheriff's Academy. I moved to Riverside in 1983 and have lived here for the past 27 years.
The one person from my past who I'd most like to see again is my dad. Since he passed away in 2008 I have realized just how much I enjoyed talking with him, or visiting him in Nevada. I would love to be able to see him one more time, or have just one more conversation and listen to his stories.
My biggest surprises were probably being forced to make a career change when I left the Army in 1981 due to my ex-wife's family issues, and another one due to an on-duty injury when I was in law enforcement. I would also include becoming a grandfather at 39, and getting divorced after 29 years of marriage.
If I won $100 million, I'd give 20 million of it to our church, then spend the rest on family , friends and world travel.
When I am truly happy I am lying on the beach in Kaanapali, Maui with my wife just relaxing after a nice day of snorkeling at Black Rock.
My current age is 56. When I was 12, I thought that people my age now would be really old or dead. I was so completely wrong.
I have achieved a lot of success in the different careers that I have had. My current, and likely final, career has taken me to an executive level position that is challenging, enjoyable, and rewarding.
My best friend would tell you I'm a soft touch, but people who don't know me very well would probably describe me as tough as nails.
Not onl...Expand for more
y do I dress like I did 10 or 20 years ago, I don't think much has changed in most of my life. I still wear levis, skate shoes, t shirts, or shorts depending on the time of year. That is, of course, unless I am working where I wear business suits most of the time.
I don't know that I ever had a "weird" job, unless you call jumping out of airplanes and helicopters weird.
I share my home with my wife, granddaughter, stepson, dogs and cat, which I find comfortable and relaxing.
Bowling 300 was probably the biggest victory I have had in sports in a long, long time. I do have some other "big victories" one of which was completing my MBA.
As much as I love my kids and grandkids, and although I believe my life has gone pretty well overall, if I had one do over I would have not married at 19 and taken the opportunity I had to go to West Point.
In 10 years, I hope to be retired for 5 years. I'm going to get there by doing what I'm doing.
I didn't really stay in touch with people from Lynwood or from school. Probably my oldest friend is a guy I met after we graduated from the LA Sheriff's Academy in '82. We both had been in the military, loved to have a good time, liked cars and guns, and have been friends for over 25 years.
What would probably surprise everyone at my high school reunion is that I have achieved a great deal of success in school, business, and financially; and that I divorced my wife after 29 years of marriage.
My first job was at Foods Company Market on Imperial Hwy next to Zody's, where I got paid $162.5 an hour to box groceries and chase carts. What I remember most about it is my cousin Doug Bieser and I standing in line with a bunch of other people to be interviewed by the manager before the store even opened. I loved getting a paycheck and worked as many hours as I could get..
I will NEVER forget the day that John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I was a 10 year old 5th grader and I can remember that day like it was yesterday. I will also never forget the day my one month old baby brother died which was 3 months after the Kennedy assassination. That was a very tough year.
I just hope that people do remember me. It is sad to think that anybody would spend this many years on this earth and not leave a legacy. I guess I would like to be remembered as a nice guy who worked hard, was never afraid to try new and different things; and who loved, cared about, and cherished, his family.
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