Gary Stratton:
CLASS OF 1962
Robert A. Millikan High SchoolClass of 1962
Long beach, CA
Hogan High SchoolClass of 1971
Vallejo, CA
Gary's Story
Life
Posted 10/2005. 1962 certainly seems alot more current than 43 years ago.
Well, after high school I managed to maintain a GPA at LBCC that kept me out of the draft. After LBCC I foolishly failed to enroll at Long Beach State and
the military draft folks advised me my new mailing address would be ARMY. I
immediately joined the Air Force and gave that a go for 4 years. In the interim
I got married to Michele Friedman, class of 65. After the service I went back to school at L.B. State and got a job at Western Airlines. In 1969 we bought a new house in Huntington Beach, behind the power plant on PCH. Stayed with Western and moved severl times in H.B., moving up the size of house ladder. In 1982 I got a nice promotion with Western to Salt Lake City. So the four of us, 1 girl and 1 boy, moved to Bountiful, UT. Bountiful is a bedroom community just north of SLC.
A big change came along in 1987, Western was purchased by Delta Air Lines.
In the long run it worked out great. I retired from Delta with a combined 37 years on 4/1/05. Just in time to miss all the Bankruptcy stuff.
Working for the airlines offered a continuous opportunity visit many places around the world. My favorite places to visit are Hawaii, Italy, Europe, and Ireland. During the working years I acquired a condo in Waikiki, which I managed to keep during the divorce to Michele in 1996, and some other land on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Recently remarried, 2nd time, to a great lady - Jan. She has 2 kids about the same age as my 2 kids and the grandchildren, currently 5, are continuing to pop up with some regularity. The best part of being a grandparent, which many of you will attest to is, "spoil them and send them home". HaHa, I just love that part!
So, I am now 61 , retired, going to take early Soc Sec in December 2005,
spend time in ways that I appreciate and enjoy. I do not plan to go back to "regular" work. My little, on the side, tax business keeps me busy for 90 days a year and that, I think, is enough.
Hobbies, I like working on my 1956 Chevy Bel Aire, the one with the center post, not the 2 door hardtop (no center post). I also...Expand for more
like managing my real estate stuff.
Looking back, there are somethings I would have done differently and some things I would never change...but then I suppose we can all subscribe to that.
One thing...I miss the beach and the smell of the salt...every single day!
Gary
4/17/2010 - UPDATE since retiring.
Well, still doing the "little tax business" on the side. Divorced 2nd wife in 2007, still have the Hawaii place. few more grandkids,few less pounds, little less hair, great attitude. So, what's new? I acquired a new house in Layton, UT in 2005, that is about 20 miles north of Salt Lake City...wish it had been a condo. LOL! I still have all the flying benefits with Delta, so I continue to travel quite abit, with Hawaii being my favorite...still!! Getting more into "road trips", and seeing more of the U.S.A. I did take a part-time job with Skywest for a year, needed something to do, and it was actually alot of fun. Really amazing how pleasant a job can be if you are doing it because you want to etc.....
The tax season is just about over for 2010 so it must be time for a vacation. See Ya Around!
Gary
6/4/2017...
WOW...great reunion in Long Beach. Enjoyed revisiting old friends.
Still retired...still basing in Layton, UT...still spend a lot of time in Hawaii at the
condo. I now do my road trip in a 1983 Ford Van, brand new when my folks bought it in 1983. Been updating with paint, some engine work, new wheels,
sat. radio. I have left the inside pretty much original. We use the van for
road trips under 600 miles. Lots of stuff to see in the Western U.S. Really
been fun cruising down the road at 67 MPH...just enjoying being alive!
Of course, my 1st love has always been and will be the ocean. Spend alot
of time on the CA coast, Hawaii, Florida gulf, and the FL Keys. Lived in Key West for a few years, thank you Air Force. Big changes in the Keys since my
first visit. Still like the easy life style...not the humidity at all!
Still have the 56 Chevy. More grand children, good health, good life, best
retirement, and a great woman!
Time to fix the blown exhaust manifold gasket on the 56.....
Gary
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