I was born in Teaneck New
Jersey, on October 12, 1950. Unfortunately, I recall nothing of my
childhood other than that the family lived in an apartment in Fairview. The
family moved from there to California in 1954, and
visited New
Jersey once in 1958.
I was always very spiritual. I was raised Roman Catholic, and the first time I remember laying eyes on a Priest, I wanted to be one. However, like most, I discovered the opposite sex, and not feeling the call to celibacy, I lost interest when I became a teenager.
During my teenage years, I was a "hippie,"
and went to love-ins and other festivals. I had a great interest in music
(still do), and played bass guitar in many rock and roll bands, the two most
prominent were "The 7th Street Subway" and "The Insanity Inn."
I met my wife Bonnie in my senior year in
High School while I was trying to make a date with another "hippie" girl.
Bonnie walked up to me and asked if I would like to go to a party with her
because her boyfriend was out of town. Who would of said "no"??? This, I
thought, was going to be easy! Little did I know she had other plans. We
were married two years later.
My first good job was at Mattel Toys, in the City of Industry, California, but after being laid off (the work was seasonal) I started working with Los Angeles County, first in the Tax Collectors office, then in the Welfare Department. ( yeah, I sold out and joined the establishment--it's a wonder what a good woman will do to/for you?)
My first son, Gary, was born in November, 1970. My
daughter, Christina, February 1972, and my second son, Shawn in 1974.
I attended the Church of Christ School of Evangelism
on Ball Road in Anaheim, California. While I was in seminary, I preached in Big
Bear, 29 Palms, and Trona California part time, as well as at other small
churches as part of the curriculum. Upon graduation I was called to, and
ministered, the Trona Church of Christ full time until I left two years later
after a dispute with the "powers that be." (they said I was to liberal, I told
them to lighten up, and we parted ways. I was so young then, and didn't know
about church politics)
I then entered the Air Force, feeling that the Vietnam "Conflict" was over. Yes, history (and the Military) says it ended October 1973. They lied. I was what they called a "Printer Systems Operator." (you really don't want to know!) I also spent almost four years in Misawa Japan, Lackland AFB Texas, Bad Aibling Germany, The National Security Agency at Ft Meade Maryland, Andrews AFB Maryland, and Elmendorf AFB Alaska. During these assignments Bonnie and I (and the kids) visited Paris, Vienna, Rome, Florence, Venice, Salzburg, and many other cities and countries, and in the process traveled to all but six of the states in the U.S., and we plan to visit those before we die! I earned the Good Conduct Medal with Silver Oak leaf Cluster, the Joint Service Commendation Medal (twice), the Air Force Commendation Medal (twice), the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Achievement Medal.
I became a Mason in Alaska, being raised to
the third degree November 15, 1990, 32nd degree March 16, 1991, a Royal Arch
Mason April 15, 1991, and a Knight Templar October 5, 1991. I am a Past High
Priest, Past Thrice Illustrious Master, and a Past Master of Prospect Hill
Lodge #1247.
Another interesting thing happened in
Alaska. When I was raised to the the third degree, the brothers at the lodge
gave me the usual Family Bible. Inside was a section to log all your family
births, deaths, and so forth. I started filling in all the requested
information, and found I was missing some. I called my mom, who gave me phone
numbers of other relatives who had other information. Eight years later I am
still researching my genealogy--all because I was given a Family Bible!
My lovely wife Bonnie passed away in 1999 after 29 years of marriage, and my youngest son in 2003. That same year I gave a pretty woman wrong directions to Starbucks. I married Lillie Brady July 9, 2004.
I hold Bachelor of Science degree in Government and History from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Arts Degree in Religion from St. Georges School of Theology, Wolsey Hall, Oxford. Hobbies include computers (I build my own), music, philosophy, and history. I retired from the Air Force in 1994, and am now a Computer Science Teacher at an elementary High School in San Antonio.
I am an ordained Minister in the Anglican (Traditional Episcopal) Church. I have three Grandsons.
Hope that didn't bore anyone to much!
God Bless!
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