Thomas Bates:
CLASS OF 1957
Little Rock Central High SchoolClass of 1957
Little rock, AR
East Side Junior High SchoolClass of 1954
Little rock, AR
Peabody Elementary SchoolClass of 1951
Ft. smith, AR
Thomas's Story
Life
I enjoyed attending LRCHS, didn't have much time for parties as I had to work to support myself. I paid room & board to my uncle, later to my granny. After
graduation I worked for the State as a photographer. Joined the Army in 1960,
married to Barbara Ann Bowen in June of 1960. She was killed in a car wreck in
Oct 60, she was bringing clothing to our house in Ft Hood, Texas. It was a big loss in my life. Church and Army kept me busy, and I married again in 1962. With
this woman I had 2 girls and a boy, we were married 23 years until I discovered she was keeping the home fire burning for our neighbor. I had 3 tours in Viet Nam, got hit each tour. I left the Army in 1975, didn't do too bad as I went in as a Private, came out as a Major with 60% disability. I went back to work ...Expand for more
for
The Army Tank & Automotive Command (TACOM) in 1977. I retired in 1999 with 42 years of Federal Service. Between the Army and TACOM I have traveled and lived all over the World. Finally finished college, got a degree as a Mechanical Engineer, that took 20 years of night school but I did it. I met and married a wonderful German lady, her name is Heidi. We have been sharing our home for over 20 years. She has 2 kids, combined for us that's 5 total and 12 grandkids...I am "poppa" and opa to all of them. I live in Hauswurz,Germany, it is up in the mountains, clean air, good water and good neighbors. We have 1000 residents plus 3 old grouches, my oldest daughter asked if I knew the other 2. Life has been hard for me, but I am thankful I have learned to enjoy everything I have been given.
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