John Taylor:  

My dad was a pilot in the USAF. As an Air Force brat, the family relocated to several locations in the US and abroad including Tripoli Libya. Brother and Sister were born in Tripoli. Dad received orders in '65 to fly missions from Ubon Thailand into Vietnam and other classified locations. Dad was attached to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing and took part in Rolling Thunder (March ’66) and Operation Bolo with Colonel Olds. For unknown reasons, Dad clashed with Colonel Olds. Dad returned from SE Asia and moved the family to Houston in late 1967. Dad held a position as the Safety Officer for Ellington AFB at the time. Dad also wanted to relocate to Houston because of his interest in aerospace and NASA. Dad retired from the Air Force to pick up a career with Boeing Aerospace. Dad passed away in November 2014 and I admired him very much. - Started the Fifth grade at Clear Lake Elementary. Attended Clear Creek High School in my Freshman year. It was great to enter a new High School in my Sophomore year, we were the first to break in the school. I participated in a few activities but never fully participated in all that was offered in High School, which was a shame. Cannot say I really stood out, just another student with a low profile. Only a handful may remember me. While in High School, interesting group of Friends, a couple being Michael Hoover (his dad, Col. Hoover (retired) was the Army ROTC commander at the LaPorte HS, King Behan (whose dad was the bombardier on the Bockscar on August 9, 1945) another friend (last name only) Hoff whose dad was General Hoff, commander of the reserve in the area. The four of us got into a bit of trouble one night. - I attended San Jacinto College and earned an associate degree. Then attempted to put myself through the University of Houston to earn a degree in Electrical Engineering. Struggling financially, stopped and I joined the Houston Police Department in 1982. The offer was that they paid a salary and training, paid well at the time in 1982. As a Police Officer for the City of Houston. I will say it was a remarkably interesting career, learned a lot and worked with many great police officers. We had a new Police Chief, and we were the first graduating class for Chief Lee P. Brown. I worked with many professional and caring officers and good people. - The best part of my career with HPD was meeting Renee while working an extra job at a bank. She was a bank teller going to college. We were married in 1984 and I left the Houston Police Department and returned to college to pursue a degree in Computer Science, MIS, and Electrical Engineering. Attended the University of Houston after I decided to change careers and leave the Police Department. Renee has...Expand for more