Gary Pennington:
CLASS OF 1955
King George High SchoolClass of 1955
Vancouver, BC
University of WashingtonClass of 1960
Seattle, WA
University of CaliforniaClass of 1959
Berkeley, CA
Seattle UniversityClass of 1959
Seattle, WA
Lord Roberts SchoolClass of 1951
Vancouver, BC
Gary's Story
Well, hard to remember how I really was as a young fella. I hope that I was kind and gentle and that I was not too arrogant because of successes in sport; certainly not for accomplishment in school. I think that I have always tried to do the "right thing" but things can get in the way of this for all of us. I was particularly delighted when several of our old Chinese school mates greeted me warmly at the 75th King George reunion about 20 years ago. It made me think that I couldn't have been too bad back then if they still considered me a friend. I must say that it was so good to see them dancing proudly together in their new-found Arthur Murray dance steps that put our old KG Drag to shame. Funny (not really) that I don't remember these folks being a part of our Social Hall times. I guess that while we were aware of our racism it was still there since there was no real inter-racial mixing beyond the classroom and sporting field. We should have been dancing and dating together as well. Sorry to have run-on. Hope this helps to say who I am.
Cheers,
Gary
Play sport, dance, go to aquafit, chop wood, plant trees, muck around, build things, go to garage sales.
Almost set Gloria Panton's hair on fire in SS class.
If I'm going to work somewhere, I need to have interest,, support,, and passion to be able to deal with the day-to-day.
Many. Have named a few of my seven (count them, 7) kids after them. Nelson (Mandella), David (Thoreau), Andre (Sakarov), Theresa (Mother T), & so on.
Lived in Canada, Australia, NZ, USA, and spent time in England, Scotland, Wales, Africa, & Scandinavia. Bit of a vagabond I would say.
The one person from my past who I'd most like to see again is Alan Affleck, because he was a good mentor to me and is now frail and I am afraid that he may be infirm. I have had no luck contacting him. I would also like to see as many of my old school mates as possible..
I guess that I am obsessed by sport, particularly baseball since I still play competitively in an over-30 league with a bunch of young bucks while being at the ripe old age of 72. Each year I go down to play in the Senior World Series in Arizona.
It amazes me the way that the last 30 years have gone by - Tempest Fuget I guess. Apologies to those who actually took Latin in high school.
If I could improve my home, I'd remodel it to be more environmentally sensitive and add on a large barn/workshop.. My dream home would be a timber frame house with geothermal hearing in the forest (got the last part already)..
Wow! Kids - I guess that they have been the primary educators of this little West End kid. I have learned much from them about life & hope that I have contributed in some significant ways to their lives. I regret not spending enough times with my first brood because of being overly involved in so-called professional matters and some ill-chosen romantic dalliances. Anyway, can't change those things; can only say that I am sorry for some mistakes.
The late Ev Woodward at Seattle University was s superb teacher. He encouraged me to go on for my Masters Degree when I didn't even know what that was. Having someone have faith in you is a marvellous thing. I only wish he was here so that I could tell him how influential he was in my life.
If I won $100 million, I'd give 3/4 of it to good charities, then spend the rest on establishing schools for disadvantaged kids , refugees and others in dire need.
Yep, lived in Xavier Hall at Seattle U for a term or two. First roommate, Fred Lanoette was a great singer who used to help himself to my clothes without my OK. I was shy on campus and intimidated by the attractive co-eds who often came from wealthy families. I couldn't enter into light banter with them about my Howe Street rooming house home full of derelicts. I would be better with them today. From afar I really liked some of those cute & seemingly bright girls.
To be really happy I would be living what Scott & Helen Nearing called the "Good Life", that is, working with my hands, writing, doing some good works in the community, being with family & friends a lot of the time, and being truly cared for and caring for one special ...Expand for more
person/partner in life.
My current age is 72. When I was 12, I thought that people my age now would be ancient. I was so completely wrong.
I am a hard worker. Because of age discrimination I have no job prospects in the field of education even though I have the energy, qualifications, and experience to do some fine things. So, with friends I have just embarked upon a ecotourism initiative that I hope will work out well. Hope coupled with lots of hard work and ingenuity will do the job. I am an optimist at heart, but know that focus and commitment are essential ingredients in most ventures.
My first crush was Marilyn Owen. I heard that the dear girl passed away. She tried to teach me how to kiss in the Ivy Bushes on Cardero Street near English Bay. My first real girlfriend was Sylvia Colley, a beautiful young girl whose mother pretty much abandoned her at a critical time in Sylvia's youth. She was particularly good to my late kid brother, Roger, as was my high school sweetheart, Selma Eriksson who is God Mother to Scott my seventh. What fine women!
My best friend would tell you I'm a nice guy, but people who don't know me very well would probably describe me as full of myself.
I dress pretty much as I did 50+ years ago. Still wear jeans, cords (though not white ones). T-shirts, Polo Shirts, runners, sweaters, and sometimes a sports jacket. No longer wear "Chink Pants", not a nice name at all. And, don't have a bogey cut any more.
Weirdest job? Maybe as a Pulp Tester in Woodfiber, BC. Didn't know what the hell I was doing. Or, it could have been when I taught bowling at UW without ever bowling a ball. How about teaching Judo/Self Defence to girls from a book? Years later, some of them said how much they enjoyed the classes! Could have fooled me.
I share my home with son Nicholas, friends Merv & Marianne, which I find very stimulating. It requires some explanation which I am happy to provide.
No trophies on my mantel, but several gathering dust in some box. Guess I am proud of being named the Outstanding Senior Athlete at Seattle University just prior to graduation. Hope that my youngest boy will do the same; he sure has the talent.
If'n I could do it over, and I know I cannot, I would be faithful and true to my first wife Mary, a fine woman. As I wrote earlier, I would also spend much more time with my first family.
In 10 years, I hope to be hale and health and doing good works with others. I'm going to get there by maintaining my health and passion for ideas and projects.
My oldest friend was the recently departed Jack Berg. We attended grade one together and fought-off the dreaded McDougall Gang in Grade Two for which we were summarily strapped by school principal Mr Rines, who looked to us babes to be a double for Frankenstein. Not sure if the McDougall boys got the same treatment.
People at a high school reunion would likely be surprised to hear that I graduated from high school let alone got my PhD. They might also be a bit taken aback by the fact that I have seven kids and have been married three times, rivalling Liz Taylor for spouses.
My first job was at Wallace Neon, where I got paid 65 cents an hour to do some easy labouring jobs and swamping (that doesn't include my earlier job as a Sun paper boy. What I remember most about it is trying to stay awake on long drives out into the Fraser Valley.
A childhood memory that I will never forget was playing catch with my father near the tennis courts at second beach when he tried to tell me that he was leaving my mom and that I would understand later in life. I found dear, old, delinquent father about thirty years later. He was a talented, energetic, charismatic, irresponsible man who could do most anything he set his mind to. He reminded me of Death of a Salesman. I have become close friends with my half-sister, Lucy, by my Pop's third marriage. Three marriages, seven kids, and three name changes. Sound familiar? Haven't changed my name yet and have always met my responsibilities - so there to you who are very quick to judge. Don't wish to sound harsh, but sometimes things just don't work out for a variety of reasons.
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