Alfred M. (Mel) Baggett:
CLASS OF 1956
Messick High SchoolClass of 1956
Memphis, TN
Memphis State UniversityClass of 1964
Memphis, TN
Fairview Junior High SchoolClass of 1952
Memphis, TN
Bethel Grove Elementary SchoolClass of 1950
Memphis, TN
Vredenburgh Elementary SchoolClass of 1950
Vredenburgh, AL
Alfred M. (Mel)'s Story
Life
I spent 4 years (1956-1960) in the Air Force, attended Memphis State University for a year, worked for Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co. for 8 years, taught computer programming for a couple of years and then worked in mainframe software development at Memphis State for 20 years. I retired in 1993. I'm married with children, step children, and grandchildren. I'm a reader and a collector (castiron cookware, cookbooks, knives ... all kinds of things).
I'm a cancer survivor and in pretty good health. Diagnosed with Mntel Cell Non-Hotchkins Lymphoma in November of 2005; underwent several months of pretty tough chemo; now in total remission. Yeah, my hair(what little I still have) and beard came back.
College
I drove a black 1960 T-bird, rode a black BMW motorcycle, had a good time and didn't learn much. After the first year I quit (before they tossed me out) and got a job. I find it ironic that that 13 years later I would return as an employee, establish myself in middle management, and retire 20 years later. Although I had no degree, I had MBA's working for me.
Workplace
I got my first exposure to data processing while in the Air Force, converting manual accounting records to punched cards. ...Expand for more
At Allis-Chalmers I worked with IBM punched card equipment. I learned computer programming and taught for a couple of years at ECPI and then at CTI where I wrote a correspondence course in COBOL programming. I went to work at MSU as a programmer, quickly became a Systems Analyst, and then Assistant Director of Systems Development. I designed and supervised the programming of mainframe computer software. Before retiring in 1993 I received the CSP and CDP certifications which were the highest certifications existing for computer professionals at that time.
Military
Basic at Lackland, Accounting/Finance Tech school at Sheppard, worked in the military pay section of the finance office at Barksdale, and was Med/Dental Stock Fund Accountant at Ramey. I had a purple Jawa motrocycle. With a few friends who also had motorcycles I rode all over Puerto Rico. Happy days. In 1993, after a cruse, my wife and I spent a week in PR and stayed in the old Ramey BOQ which is now a motel.
In 10 years, I hope to be still alive and in remission. I'm going to get there by by the grace of God.
If I won $100 million, I'd give half of it to West Clinic, then spend the rest on the kids, grandkids and enjoying life.
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