Michael McCarty:  

After my days at Mabelvale were over, my family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. I wasn't too thrilled with the idea, but I had planned all along to go to Memphis State University anyway. Unfortunately, in August 1967, my education was interrupted by being drafted into the Army despite my 2S deferment. That was probably the low point of my life. Fortunately, I did get back to the States in one piece. Enough of that... Since I did have the financial backing of the G.I. Bill (as meager as it was) and with no pressure to finish my degree as quickly as possible in order to begin working, I stayed at the University until I had completely drained every cent out of my benefits. By the time I graduated, I had pretty much worn out the School of Arts and Sciences in vertebrate zoology, chemistry, microbiology and physics. My first 'serious job' was doing benchwork at DuPont Chemical Company that included research on polymerization inhibitors. I was then offered a position in R & D at Coyne Cylinder Company doing work on acetylene cylinder prototypes towards patentable ends. Coyne decided to pick up and move to Huntsville, Alabama and I was asked to design and set up a new Research Lab, but after taking a trip to the site, I decided that Alabama was not for me. About that time, two major things happened to me. I married Mary Ann Costello who had just graduated from UT, Knoxville and I was offered a position with Tyson Foods in Berryville, Arkansas. Mary Ann was in total favor of moving to Arkansas, so that worked out. I had fun with Tyson's, managing a staff of technicians and being given enough research projects on the side to keep me interested. After a year or so, Mary Ann got antsy and decided to go to Law School at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Mary Ann's only brother was kille...Expand for more