James (Bud) Walker Walker:
CLASS OF 1968
Douglas High SchoolClass of 1968
Winston, OR
James (Bud) Walker's Story
The late 60's and early 70's were a special time, even in Winston, Oregon, while attending Douglas High School, we were able to witness, evolve and enjoy first hand, A DECADE OF COOL SONGS, HIP CLOTHES, BOSS CARS, GROOVY GIRLS, and CULTURE CHANGES that were happening throughout the world. We were young, with few real responsibilities, and I knew that this decade was Special, "I truly loved it"
My Journey: First summer after H.S., 1968, I had a good job, feeding the hog chipper, swing shift, making $3.29 hour at Forrest Industries. Saving for college was the goal, which lasted 3 weeks. Wasn't ready for WORK, quit my job, and traveled by motorcycle across the U.S. to New Port, Virginia with a h.s. friend, Johnnie S.. A senseless, once in a life time trek, kind of like Fonda, Nicholson, and Hopper in the 1969 movie, "Easy Rider". For sure, we got our fair share of attention where ever we went. Something mysterious, free, attention getting, when traveling when young, (age 18.) Crazy experiences that summer, traveling to and when thumbing back, (hitch hiking), by myself, back to Ore.
After high school, it seemed that we grads had few career choices. (The mill, logging-set chokers, gas station attendants, go to college/ get 4-F status and avoid the draft.), or get drafted, and most likely get sent directly to Vietnam.
First Fall Term at college, I was broke. Not that I really cared about being broke, but when at SOC, having to bus tables to pay my bills, and go to classes, required mature self discipline, which I lacked. I didn't make grades, my basketball scholarship went to another. (UCC and SOC would have to wait)....... Winter Term, I was in Chemult, Oregon SETTING CHOCKERS, behind a cat, in the snow. Fun, it was not. I would preferred to be back in H. S., honestly.
Draft is near, a reality I could be dodging bullets in Vietnam. Tried to join the National Guards, but their quota was full. Could of joined the Navy, but I got sick even when riding the high school team bus going to and from ball games. Thought about the Marines, NOT really. However, three H.S. friends: John J., Leonard G., and Johnnie S. joined the Marines together. I never understood WHY anyone would join the marines.
I can recall QUITE A FEW weird acts/stunts that my peers did to avoid the draft. A few even headed to Canada. My dad's address in California, enabled me to enlist in the Air Force out of Oakland, California. Probably saved me from being sent directly to Vietnam, and I actually felt proud to being an airman. I realized that separating myself from friends in Winston was needed.........
June, 1969, enlisted in the USAF, basic training, Lack Land AF base, San Antonio, Texas. I wanted Air Traffic Control School, (personnel from a tower that helps land planes), I got Inventory Mgt. Control School, (filing papers and delivering flight supplies to airport hangers). My primary station was, Kingsley AF base, K-Falls, Oregon. Glad to say, never did get to Vietnam via military. Received a Honorable Discharge, DD2214, Jan. 11, 1971. A happy day that i will always remember............ June 1995, me and Bobby M., took a 30 day self directed tour of Vietnam and ThailLand. Part of my history, not getting to Vietnam, ( via military), was now fulfilled. :)))
Like most teens, life's "real maturing process" begins after H.S.... Mine was while I was in the service. I LEARNED that I was actually more mature than many of my peers, fairly independent, was mentally confident, patient, I had above average I.Q., was quick to learn, and did a good job when placed in leadership positions, and later I developed some self taught study skills attending night classes at OIT, K. Falls, Or.
Age 19, I've already been across the U.S. by motorcycle, and hitch hiked back by myself. Two years earlier, age 16, me and a few of my more 'Wild' friends went to San Francisco, checked out the Haight Ashbury scene. I had unlimited freedom while in H. S., enjoyed a "well rounded", wild, fun teen experience. Many of my peers didn't know that I actually raised myself from age 16 on, since I had a very unstable, absent, parental situation.
I did Love our 'HIPPY' culture decade, but I was no hippy, or did I ever participate in the 'DRUG CULTURE SCENE'. No question I liked to flirt with my wild side and did take risks that not all teens took during adolescence. My unlimited freedom I would sometimes straddle the fence knowing that certain activities were illegal. But I always knew when to step back, and stay clear of rear trouble or criminal involvement. My risk taking, enjoying the moment, and adventure was part of my personality. To some extent, it still is. Just now in responsible manor.
"REAL HIPPY'S": A few of my friends and many acquaintances that I knew sure liked their weed, whites, coke, and a few of my more 'wild' friends seemed to have some pretty wild trips on LSD. There were some dumb asses too, as they snorted air plane glue. I DIDN'T SMOKE OR SNORT ANYTHING", (weed, coke, glue, or cigarette's). Nor did I chew, tried a few times, but just got dizzy or sick. My friends called me a "pussy", but I call it, "listening to my body".
The drink of the 60's: Blitz, Colt 45, Old English, and Oly4 to name a few. I was known to have a few to many beers with my friends, sometimes I even drank a few shots of JD, and chugs of Silver Satin wine, with kool-aide in it, when at various parties around Douglas County. And twice I experimented with the OTC Romular cough syrup (laced with codeine), which was sold at Pay Less Drug, down town Roseburg for a short time.
In my college health drug classes, 1974, I learned that some of my H.S. friends were chemically addicted because of their drug/alcohol use. By this time I could tell that their chemical use (addiction) had an adverse effects on them and their families. In my early 20's I was A LIGHT SOCIAL DRINKER. In my mid 20's I seldom drank. And Now I don't drink, as I found that I could have FUN WITHOUT ANY ALCOHOL/Chemical CONSUMPTION, and age 21, I was married and a year later had a daughter. It was important to me and Debi, (my wife), to keep alcohol and other chemicals out of my family dynamics. We raised our two daughters in a drug free home, including alcohol. This, we are very proud of.
October 1971, MARRIED MY H.S. GIRLFRIEND, Debi W.. At this time I was an apprentice carpenter and Debi worked for a local bank in Winston. We thought we'ld be happy....just playin, working, (apprentice carpenter), living-loving, in our new 12x60 trailer. But three months later, I quit my job, and started back to college, (G.I. Bill), at U.C.C., Roseburg. I was a MATURE, SERIOUS-FOCUSED, DISCIPLINED, and RESPONSIBLE Young MAN that found success in school and Most All That I Went After... ...
1972, another try at college and play college basketball. As fate would have it, a career ending injury stopped my dream of playing college basketball. Shortly afterwards, thanks to the late James West, I got a swing shift job at Sun Studs as clean up man. Then we found that Debi was P.G., but now had insurance. Job allowed me to go to college, save money, have $$ pay down on our first house, and 3.5 years later, I earned a B.S. degree (3.4 gpa), in Health and Phys. Ed. from Southern Oregon College (S.O.C.), Ashland. Then, 7 summers working on a Master's Program at Oregon University, Eugene. (Btw, summer school sucked).
I TAUGHT SCHOOL AND COACHED BALL in the Oregon public schools for 17.5 years. I actually liked teaching and coaching, but never saw myself as a career educator (30 plus years). In my 20's I wanted to make my living by coaching college basketball. Head coaching job at age 27, had enough success coaching, I learned what I had to do to become a major college basketball coach. It is true that i could see myself doing this at some capacity, but I knew getting there would be more sacrificing for me and my family.
By my 31st birthday, my mind set had changed. My forte' was to be an independent business owner. With much thought, prayers, and discussions with various peers, I resigned as the head basketball coach, and let go of my dream of being a college basketball coach.
Amway Days,1982, helped in enlighten me on my business potential. The AMWAY business , we spun 'circles' met many wonderful people, identified with my up line Direct's, Pearls and Diamonds. Attended Amway rallies, read inspirational books, and listened to Amway leaders tapes. The Amway FAMILY INVOLVEMENT and STRONG MALE LEADERSHIP was WELCOMED in my life, but luckily I did not achieve any financial success. My attitude of owning my own business, and making money, lead to another business opportunity, "Real Estate"
My real estate started 1972, while attending UCC. $ from G.I. bill, I also worked at Sun Studs. I saved $125.00 a week for 11 months, for a new GT Dodge Charger. $4,000 was saved, but the car was never purchased, a house was. My junior year of college, i bought our first stick built home, but couldn't sell our 12 X60 feet trailer for $6,000 that I paid for it. Not enough equity for a trade, so, I raised the price $4,000, to $10, 000 equity, and traded this equity for a stick built house that needed some fixing up. Fixed up the house, later sold it. I graduated from college, with little debt and $10,000 in the bank. First year of teaching, bought 3 houses, next year 3 more, and by 1980, total of 13 properties. This was my beginng, not yet 30 years old.
Real estate influance came from my dad, late Hartsell Walker, and two uncles, Foster and Lee Walker. Their examples, I emulated them. I started buying, remodeling, and renting houses at a young age. And my uncle Lee and aunt Joann, were my biggest influence. They were successful owner's...Expand for more
of a RV and Mobile Home sales company in the early 60's, called "Lee's Trailer Sales", Grants Pass. The largest Mobile Homes sales in S. Oregon, poor health forced him to sell his business, but then continued with commerical real estate and bond investing.
In 1984, while still teaching, but no longer the time restraints of coaching, the timing was right to for me to expand my real estate holdings. I never did get a real estate license, never needed one. Buying real estate is similar to playing monopoly, only with real money. You Buy, fix up, and manage. I found that Buying and Holding properties is a little harder than buying and flipping, as it is more demanding of one's time, but in doing so, you get the profits from all angles, and less income taxes are paid. The more properties you own, the more $$$ you keep over time. 1989, I owned over 50 units, I formed my own property management company, (JLW Properties, LLC). Teaching allowed me the security, bank loans, and summers off to build my inventory of properties: Single family homes, duplexes, 4-plexes, and later commmerical properties, and bare ground. Now, over 100 and counting. Actually, i am trying to consolidate, to less places, but larger buildings, so to be able to deal with less people. i enjoy making the deal, just tired of management.
Anyone can make money investing in real properties, but not everyone has the dedication, discipline, desire, or willing to invest the time to buy, repair, rent, manage, and pay down the debt on properties.
At age 37 made my first million $$$, but continued to teach, and saved my paychecks for investing. This "Double Dipping" was Nice, but working two jobs, 7 days a week, was difficult. It was my oldest daughter, Jacque, that suggested I take a 6 month sabbatical leave of absence from teaching. This I did, and I never taught again. This same year Jacque was headed off to college, and Jill was entering 9th grade in high school. Age 41, one of my dreams became a reality, I had achieved finanical success. My teaching days and early morning rises were NO MORE.
The past three decades I've traveled to most of the Central America countries and a few of the southeast Asia countries. Also Mardi Gras, New Orleans a few February's back.. Last year a month traveling S. America, through Panama, Argentina, and Peru (machu piccu), India. ( great trip), Exypt, Hong Kong, and others. My next overseas trips, (maybe), is Italy/Greece, Cuba, Spain (running with the bulls), or Africa.
In 2009 purchased a new motorhome, '36 phaeton by Tiffin motors and a jeep to pull behind it. Love the Freedom to go and do, fits my personality well. Most recently I purchased a bay view lot on Beach Blvd., Winchester Bay to park my motorhome. Now fixing it up, will be my base, as I travel north and south along hwy 101, enjoying Oregon's beautiful coast, all times of the year.
MY FAMILY: I have two daughters, Jacquelyn, and Jill (Jac and Jill). . Jacque graducated from University of Oregon with masters to teach elementary education. Jill graducated UCC and then B.A. from Southern Oregon State College (S.O.S.C.), Ashland. Was a flight attendent for SouthWest Airlines for several years. Now a home maker. There are 7 total grandchildren. Jacque and Mike have 5 children (did I mention I thought they were nuts, 5 kids). Jill and Mark have 2 children. Blessed life for us that have grand children. Love them, and then give them back to their parents. :)))
In between, doing this and that:
In the late 80's /early 90's, for a few years, I went through a phase hitching freight trains, as they traveled through down town Roseburg. HITCHING TRAINS WAS POPULAR AMONG YUPPY'S IN THE LATE 80's. This was something that I had done a few times in my junior high days, so it came natural to me. IT'S PRETTY EXCITING, A EUPHORIC FEELING, to run along side a moving train, grab ahold of the trains steel bar that is fastened to the side, latch a firm grip, pull yourself up and then get a solid foot hold, and then climb up the side of the train to a box car or stand on the steel platform that is in between the box cars. ONCE YOU HAVE A SECURE HOLD AND FEEL SAFE, YOU LOOK AROUND AND ENJOY THE MOMENT, all this time the train is moving along down the tracks, usually gaining speed. Sometimes it's harder to get off the train than it is to get on, anyway to get off without taking a tumble. Have you ever seen the 1973 movie, "Emperor of the North", staring Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, and Keith Carrodine? Lee Marvin was the Emperor of all the Hobo's that rode trains.
I used to seek euphoric adventour when traveling. My attitude was adjusted, 2007, in EGYPT. It was a wonderful experience, traveling on the Nile River, seeing Egypt's wonderous history. But i always was looking for something different. When at the buriel sites, 'Valley of the Kings', I decided to climb, by my self, to the top of THE Valley of The KINGS mountain, for some site seeing. In doing so, I passed a sign that read," Do Not go past this point". A guard w-machine gun was there guarding us toursits. I ignored the sign, walked past the guard, and continued up the steep rock mountain.. About fifthy yards up the mountain, I met an Egyptian that befriended me, invited to escort me to the top. It was steep rock terrain, many trails leading of in all directions. Having a guide was welcomed, as i didn't want to get lost, but I knew he would charge me a few dollars for his help, but felt it would be worth it.
It took almost one hour to get to the top, and along the way there was some chit-chat, but not much as the steep-rugged terrain took our full attention. When we arrived near the top of the mountain, my new friend started asking me some 'red flag' questions that triggered 'danger'. Such as, "are you alone", " did anyone knew that you are up here", and "who is your tour leader"?, etc. He then tried to get me closer to the steep mountain edge on the opposite side of where we came up. Death would occur if one fell from that point. I knew that I was in a bad situation, that I shoudn't have came up there alone, and i knew to keep my composure. By this time i backed about 50 feet away from the steep drop off . He then handed me a relic, and asked for money to pay for it. I told him that I did not have much money, left it on the bus. Tried to hand back his relic. He said, "give me some money". I needed to delay this demanding posture, so handed him $15.00. He looked at this $15.00, but then wanted more. I said, "that's all I have, take the relic back". He said, I want all your money, and would not take the relic. I started backing away and continued for another 10 yards.
THEN another egyptican came out from behind a rock, both men's body language, and sounds in their foreign tongue were sounds of distain and anger. They were much younger, much larger, and looked stronger than me. Then for no reason, the largest of the two egypticans started fast walking straight at me, his posture emulated that he was to do me harm. My instincts took over, as in any DANGEROUS SITUATIONS there usually 3 options: TALK, FIGHT, or FLIGHT (escape). I TURNED AND RAN, and thought, "Where do I exit". I was lost, and frightened for my safety. I ran to the mountain edge, had no idea where the H_ _ _ I was. I took the first goat trail that was headed down, and down the mountain I ran, praying to my God, not to let me fall. My knees were coming up high as my chest, while i kept focused making each step pure and solid. Down the mountain I ran, as fast as my aging legs would carry me, without falling. I could sense/feel and hear the Egyptian close behind. I did not turn to look, stayed focused, one step at a t time. It took about 20 mins descending down the goat trail, Valley of the Kings mountain, and to my joyful suprize, I arrived to where a guard with a machine gun was positioned. OMG, what a wonderful sight he was. I knew that I was lucky and fortuniate in taking the trail that I did .
After bracing my footage on the steep rock slope, I turned and looked back, at same time bending down to grab a fist size rock, just in case I still needed it for protection. My Egyptian preditor was approx 35 yards up the mountain trail, directly behind me. He had paused, as he knew that I was in the guards sight. We starred at one another for a monent, I looked at him with a humble accomplishment, knowing that I was safe. His look acknowledged that he accepted my escape, he then turned, headed back up the mountain. No harm came to me. "Thank You GOD".
My heart was pounding so hard and fast, I've never had such a powerful, euphoric rush, EVER. "THANK YOU God- THANK YOU GOD" I thought, over and over........ The shoes that i wore are now retired, hanging in my family room as a symbol and reminder.
My tour leader heard from another toursit what had happened to me that day, and he suggested that i thank my God that i was capable to climb up that mountain and run down it. He also let me know that people had disappeared up there, and that Exypt couldn't afford to lose an American toursit. He reminded me about a sign that read, "Do not go pass this point". I smiled within, told him I truly understood, privately thanked God again, and went to my seat on the bus. Later that day I was assigned my own PERSONAL BODY GUARD, (caring a gun), for the rest of my Egypt trip............That day, I promised myself that I would Never knowing put my life at risk to seek a thrill.
So my Friends, 'Thank You', for taking the time to read my Story. I hope you, and your loved ones are HEALTHY and doing well. ENJOY your journey.
James Buddy Walker
Roseburg, Oregon
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