R.B. Gentry:  

Though this is the perfect platform to try and impress you with the accolades I have received in life, I choose not to. Instead, (and with the utmost humility) I want you to know that your old friend/classmate revels in the gift of my wonderful memory as I recall all the little nuances, surprises, victories and disappointments that I experienced as a young teenager growing up with you in our (then) relatively safe and , œsleepy little Southern town of Fayetteville, NC. I have learned much over these many years just as I am sure you have. Among the many things I now treasure include my two sons, Roy (53) and Tim (51.) They have blessed me with six grandchildren (5 boys and one girl) and one great grandchild. Regrettably, I am now single and hoping to find the one Christ would have me march into the future with until HE calls me home. The love of my life, Mrs. Sylvia, died on July 31st, 2013 from a massive stroke. Though we had been divorced for nearly two years, her loss nonetheless touched me deeply. Among the many things I have learned since sharing high school days with you are: My greatest strength is accepting where i am weak and making the necessary changes. My greatest weakness is sometimes not using the areas where I am truly strong for God's purposes for the many folks He brings into my life. I am getting better at accepting both truths and acting aggressively to make the appropriate changes. MEMORIES There are many! I remember how great the cheeseburgers were at Bob's drive-in across from F.H.S. I recall how delicious the pizzas and spaghetti tasted from the Pizza Palace. I remember cherry cokes from the Carolina Soda Shop, and how cold the beer was at The Hillcrest Drive-in. Everyone used to circle Hillcrest two times and then back in so we could watch everyone else drive around twice before parking. I recall Gant shirts, Bass Weejuns, Howard and Whitakers Men's store, the county fair and the many other sites and sounds of a growing and friendly town. Nothing was prettier than the blooming dogwoods and azaleas, and nothing smelled sweeter than the gardenias (except Fayetteville girls.) I loved the baseball we played at Lamon Street Park and the teenage club up on the Rowan Street hill. Who could forget dancing to the Embers, Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, the Catalinas and all of those other great bands at the National Guard Armory? What a town, what a time, what a life. What freedom! Regrettably, I also remember the embarrassment of losing a fight to an 85 pound Chimp named KoKo at the Ft. Bragg fair/carnival and sideshow which passed through each May.. Two soldiers from Ft. Bragg volunteered to box KoKo the Chimp. I remember being volunteered. I had to go first and it was $25 bucks to whoever could last two minutes. Good money for a high school kid back then. I lasted about 45 seconds. While dancing around the cage with him in a 10'x16' enclosure, Koko actually reached ar...Expand for more