So very sorry to hear of the demise of my good friend Smokey. We were "hooch mates" in Viet Nam where we first met. He and I had soooo many great memories of our friendship. My condolence to Mary and the rest of his family. I will miss talking with him.
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My sincere regrets to Fulton's family on his transition. I learned about this about 6 months ago. Fulton and I were senior classmates at Mckinley and while we were acquaintances more than close friends I appreciated his quiet intelligence and sense of humor. He graduated Valedictorian, E.J. Mencer was Salutatorian, and I was third. In one of our rare conversations after it was announced that he was graduating Valedictorian, I said to him, "Fulton, I could have beat you but up until a few weeks ago, I did not know what a Valedictorian was." He smiled and responded, "The fact that you didn't know what a Valedictorian was shows that you shouldn't have beat me." Wasn't much that I could say to that. We patted each other on the shoulders and laughed. I have thought about his kind, often subtle, and intelligent sense of humor many times since although I think that was the last time we ever spoke. Rest easy, champion. You did Mckinley proud.
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2005, Gino's Restaurant, Bennington Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
My only photo of my life long friend and colleague. Love you Mary.
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