Thomas Marsh:
CLASS OF 1966
North High SchoolClass of 1966
Youngstown, OH
Thomas's Story
Life
I graduated Youngstown North High school 1966. I went into the USAF for 4 years. I went to basic training at Lackland AFB TX. Three of us from North were in the same outfit, myself Phil Lawrence and Fred Stringer from the class of 65. After basic we were split up and I was sent to Ammarillo AFB TX. to aircraft mechanic school . There I ran into George Lynch, also in aircraft mechanic school and Ben Randolph. After graduation I was sent to Eglin AFB Florida. This may sound strange but you have to remember the times, I hated Florida. The civil rights Act of '64 hadn't long been passed and attitudes there were very hostile. The fastest way out was to volunteer for Vietnam. It took 3 times and 19 months but I got out of Florida. I swore I would never come South again. I got stationed in Thailand which turned out to be a very interesting place. We went all over the place from there, including Vietnam. I had heard that Charles Perkins was at Danang South Vietnam while I was there for a short visit but I couldn't catch up with him.
When I came back to the"World" I was stationed in Las Vegas Nevada. The population back then was 45,000 people and 1 million tumbleweeds.It wasn't like it is now. They have palm trees now the place is gorgeous. I ran back into my old buddy Phil Lawrence there. He was a jet engine mechanic and we had a good time. believe me.
I went to Kunsan AB Korea in Jan of 1970 until my discharge dat...Expand for more
e of June 1970. It was interesting but, bitter cold, I worked outside and let me say that Korea in January after you have spent 3 1/2 years in hot climates is a rude awakening.
I came home and found out Stanley McGaha, may he RIP, had been buried the day before.
I found a job at Sheet and Tube and lasted 3 weeks before I decided to go back in the USAF. That same day GM called and I went there instead for 8 years. I woke up and went back to electronics school and later to Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. There I got my aircraft and powerplant licenses from the FAA.
I got hired by Delta Airlines in 1978. I was hired to go to Atlanta , Georgia. I was reluctant to come here but I've been here 30 years now and love the place. I enjoyed my job very much. I worked live flights for 21 years. I got a kick out of working around the public believe me I could write a book.Then I switched to working down airplanes where ever they are down at. We fly in fix the bird and come back home. Lots of overtime. I have been able to go places and meet people I never imagined possible so I am grateful.
My wife is from Cleveland. I met her here in Atlanta. We have 2 sons, 2 grandsons and 1 diva granddaughter.
I retired in 2005 just before Delta went bankrupt. I now work for the City of Atlanta as a Fire truck technician.
I wish we would have some sort of class reunion but that doesn't seem likely..God bless you all.
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