Thomas Waters:  

Life I worked full time for Hyatt Hotels to support myself while going to college full time. It was very hard, but I am glad that I did it on my own. I continued to work for Hyatt for health benefits while freelancing commercial art. I was able to travel with Hyatt for additional clients. I lived near Frankfurt, Germany as a civilian for almost two years. I worked in a bakery. I learned that we are not the only country on the planet, but indeed a Super Power. We have responsibilities with this great blessing, as a nation and individually. With the exception of my brother, all my family in Brunswick is deceased. Mom died in '92 and dad in '98. Before leaving Atlanta, I served as a Parish Administrator for an Episcopal Church and Day School. I learned a lot about church politics (enough to last a life time). My wife and I have lived in Brunswick for the past 6 years. We came here to attend ailing relatives (we brought her mom with us, my dad and my mother's parents were here). My grandparents were in their 90's. It was a major adjustment after living in Atlanta for many years. We are both happy living here in the historic district of Olde Town Brunswick. We do not miss the traffic in Atlanta. I work fulltime for The Cloister Hotel on Sea Island. My wife babysits there during the busy season. I am blessed in that she has never had to have a job but was happy being a homemaker. We are members of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Our children are grown. The oldest, a Vanderbilt grad in nursing, lives in Huntsville, AL with her husband. The second, a Mary Baldwin grad, lives in Atlanta with her husband.The third lives between Brunswick and Atlanta. Of the three girls, the youngest is the one most like our generation. I am certain she will get married on the beach with flowers in her hair! Ciao. School I began school at age 5 at Sidney Lanier in 1958. My first grade teacher was Gladys Butler. My classmates were Jerry Arnett and Cathy Ramsey to name a few. My parents built a house in Goodyear Park in 1961. My neighbors were Billy and Debbie Austin and Vicky Johnson. I went to Goodyear for the 4th grade. My teacher was Mrs. Bell, who lived down the street from me, next door to Wayne Casey. It was a difficult adjustment. I had never gone to school with "Navy kids" or doctor's kids. The doc's kids were especially cruel. My classroom nickname was "Tommy Turtle." My mom used to say I wasn't "slow", but "deliberate." Thank God for moms. I played the clarinet in 5th grade band under Denzel Sellars (he is currently a driver for The Cloister where I work and I see him often). I survived Goodyear with the help of Jean Stapleton, 5th grade, in a very small classroom. She caught me up and I made A's the next year. Madge Surles was my teacher in 6th grade. Horrible woman. Used to pinch me under my arm pits if I stayed at the "board" too long with a math problem, complaining that I was "swaying." My mom said many years later that she would have mopped the floor with Miss Surles ass if she knew she was doing that to me (once she brought blood). What a laugh! I was determined to tough it out. I was no tattle tail. Sore arm pits, but no tattle tail! Went onto Jane Macon for Gold Cup Socks and C-buckle belts with button down Gant shirts with the loop in the back. Had to come from O'Quinns and Salkins or you were dirt. Never had a monogrammed jacket with the collar turned up, but I did have Bass Weejuns. Learned what "going all the way" meant from the Navy kids. The movie "The Happening" was the real deal in the 9th grade. Went to Teen Club on the base often, made some great friends. Survived Brunswick High School. Often considered "sissy" and later "faggot" or "queer." Let me tell you, that hurt, especially since I was brought up a Christian. The ones who defaced my first Year Book at Brunswick Hig...Expand for more