Friday, February 27, 2009
From John Hlinko
Jim Stringer once saved my life. That is, he didn't kill me when he first met me.
It was just a few weeks after Leigh and I had started dating, and Jim and Mary Helen came to DC to visit (and yes, to meet me). I could only wonder what was going through his mind when I said something to the effect of, "why yes, that's right, I quit my perfectly good job to start up a presidential campaign for a guy who's not actually running, and by the way, I'm not getting paid a dime, and oh, I think Leigh and I are already quite serious, and... hi, nice to meet you."
Well, as the father of a daughter myself now, I can only imagine what was going through his mind, and yet... he not only chose not to commit homicide, he and Mary Helen went on to get involved with the Draft Wesley Clark effort, and to ultimately lead the effort in Georgia -- a truly incredible effort which blew the doors off those in the other states.
Well, flashing forward, Jim is now my father-in-law. And while I'd like to go off on a string of "in-law" jokes, complaints, kvetches, etc., the reality is, I just can't. I got nothing, for a simple reason -- Jim really has been the best father-in-law a guy could ask for (I've got no reason to lie here, folks, Leigh and I are already married). He's been a great friend, mentor, buddy to joke around with, and time after time, a truly fantastic teacher -- including one very memorable occasion where he patiently explained to this northern boy why ordering grits and French toast together was just... well... wrong. (no eggs, no cheese, just the French toast and a pile of plain grits).
I'm a lucky guy in that I've had a great dad my whole life. But for the last several years, I've been doubly blessed to add a truly wonderful "Dad 2.0" as well.
Jim, here's to a very, very happy birthday. And once again, thanks for not killing me.
John Hlinko
It was just a few weeks after Leigh and I had started dating, and Jim and Mary Helen came to DC to visit (and yes, to meet me). I could only wonder what was going through his mind when I said something to the effect of, "why yes, that's right, I quit my perfectly good job to start up a presidential campaign for a guy who's not actually running, and by the way, I'm not getting paid a dime, and oh, I think Leigh and I are already quite serious, and... hi, nice to meet you."
Well, as the father of a daughter myself now, I can only imagine what was going through his mind, and yet... he not only chose not to commit homicide, he and Mary Helen went on to get involved with the Draft Wesley Clark effort, and to ultimately lead the effort in Georgia -- a truly incredible effort which blew the doors off those in the other states.
Well, flashing forward, Jim is now my father-in-law. And while I'd like to go off on a string of "in-law" jokes, complaints, kvetches, etc., the reality is, I just can't. I got nothing, for a simple reason -- Jim really has been the best father-in-law a guy could ask for (I've got no reason to lie here, folks, Leigh and I are already married). He's been a great friend, mentor, buddy to joke around with, and time after time, a truly fantastic teacher -- including one very memorable occasion where he patiently explained to this northern boy why ordering grits and French toast together was just... well... wrong. (no eggs, no cheese, just the French toast and a pile of plain grits).
I'm a lucky guy in that I've had a great dad my whole life. But for the last several years, I've been doubly blessed to add a truly wonderful "Dad 2.0" as well.
Jim, here's to a very, very happy birthday. And once again, thanks for not killing me.
John Hlinko
Thursday, February 26, 2009
From Larry Jones
Just want Jim to know that his medical marijuana crop is doing well here in Northern California although why he needs 2500 pounds a year for health reasons is a mystery to me.
From Lu Lu Black Stewart
Jimmy and I were soulmates in our junior and senior high school years, and I have fond memories of our dates. (Mary Helen already knows about the dates.) I watched with pride all the football games, even though I had to ask him on occasion if he played well or not! I was too busy cheering the team on, and was too short to see over the sideline players to see how he did. It was all fun, and I had many great times with him, especially walking in the senior prom leadout. I felt like a very special person, walking with my arm on his arm for the leadout and dance. He was and is a very nice, special person. Mary Helen is a lucky gal.
Give him a kiss and hug for me, and tell him HAPPY 65TH BIRTHDAY!!!
(My 65th birthday is in April, so I'm not too far behind him!)
Lu Lu Black Stewart
Give him a kiss and hug for me, and tell him HAPPY 65TH BIRTHDAY!!!
(My 65th birthday is in April, so I'm not too far behind him!)
Lu Lu Black Stewart
From Laura Russell
Dad-
I tried to think of some funny stories of you from when I was growing up, but most of them involved me being in trouble, so I probably won't bring those up... Some of my fondest memories are of you when you had the leads in the All Saints Episcopal plays, specifically Mr Banks in Mary Poppins, the guy who runs the orphanage in Oliver, and Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, which is still my all time favorite movie.
Through the years, you've not only been a great dad, but also a great role model, driving instructor, lender, financial planner, mover, co-worker, singer, alarm clock, electrcian, car repairman, lawyer, tax preparer, chef (including green eggs and ham on Saturdays and more than a few suprises in my lunch sack in elementary school, including pigs feet and frogs legs) and most recently, a great landlord, babysitter and grandfather.
Thanks for all you do- I can only hope my next husband is as great with you, but with a lot more money! Haha!
Love, Laura
I tried to think of some funny stories of you from when I was growing up, but most of them involved me being in trouble, so I probably won't bring those up... Some of my fondest memories are of you when you had the leads in the All Saints Episcopal plays, specifically Mr Banks in Mary Poppins, the guy who runs the orphanage in Oliver, and Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, which is still my all time favorite movie.
Through the years, you've not only been a great dad, but also a great role model, driving instructor, lender, financial planner, mover, co-worker, singer, alarm clock, electrcian, car repairman, lawyer, tax preparer, chef (including green eggs and ham on Saturdays and more than a few suprises in my lunch sack in elementary school, including pigs feet and frogs legs) and most recently, a great landlord, babysitter and grandfather.
Thanks for all you do- I can only hope my next husband is as great with you, but with a lot more money! Haha!
Love, Laura
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
From Lenn Bomar Jackson
Happy Birthday Jimmy...from another '62 classmate. Thanks for always being our fearless leader!!!
Hope you have a great day and MANY more!!
Lenn Bomar Jackson
Hope you have a great day and MANY more!!
Lenn Bomar Jackson
From Beba Tinney
Remember the surprise when you were a teen,
A new addition to the Stringer team.
Once again, you had to be the big brother.
Did you ask, “What were you thinking, Mother?”
As you were deciding life’s path you would take,
Here was the sister to cause you headache!
Embarrassing moments she loved to provide
Especially to you and your soon-to-be bride!
She rode on your shoulders and took piggy-back rides
She drove you crazy, but you took it in stride.
You taught her manners and how to have class
Even though she was a pain in your ass!
You taught her these things like no other,
‘Cause you knew you couldn’t count on the other two brothers!
Yes, it is I, the fifth of the bunch
Here to say, “Thank you, and I love you so much.”
Happy 65th Birthday! I love you,
Beba
A new addition to the Stringer team.
Once again, you had to be the big brother.
Did you ask, “What were you thinking, Mother?”
As you were deciding life’s path you would take,
Here was the sister to cause you headache!
Embarrassing moments she loved to provide
Especially to you and your soon-to-be bride!
She rode on your shoulders and took piggy-back rides
She drove you crazy, but you took it in stride.
You taught her manners and how to have class
Even though she was a pain in your ass!
You taught her these things like no other,
‘Cause you knew you couldn’t count on the other two brothers!
Yes, it is I, the fifth of the bunch
Here to say, “Thank you, and I love you so much.”
Happy 65th Birthday! I love you,
Beba
From Kelli Stringer
Uncle Jim,
There has been many a day that I wished you hadn't taken up most of the "normal" genes in the Stringer family so there would've been some to spare by the time it got to my dad, lowly #4 (poor Beba...). I appreciate your sanity and wisdom in a family filled with its share of craziness. Although I'm severely in med school debt, I have saved all of your financial advice emails in the hopes that one day I'll have some money to save!
You're an amazing person and a great Uncle! Thanks for all you do!
Kelli
p.s. Does the fact that you remember where the pork chop incident happened mean that you were, in fact, the one that ate it?
There has been many a day that I wished you hadn't taken up most of the "normal" genes in the Stringer family so there would've been some to spare by the time it got to my dad, lowly #4 (poor Beba...). I appreciate your sanity and wisdom in a family filled with its share of craziness. Although I'm severely in med school debt, I have saved all of your financial advice emails in the hopes that one day I'll have some money to save!
You're an amazing person and a great Uncle! Thanks for all you do!
Kelli
p.s. Does the fact that you remember where the pork chop incident happened mean that you were, in fact, the one that ate it?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
From Cynthia Smith Green
Happy Birthday to our Old Class President! Who would have thought our class would still be in touch as we turn 65 (some alot sooner than others). Jimmy has always been one of my favorite people. Don't think I ever heard a negative comment about him. Looking forward to seeing you at the 50th.
Cynthia Smith Green
Cynthia Smith Green
From Leigh Stringer
Dad has accomplished much in the first half of his life. Here are some of the highlights:
• Star football player in high school
• Guitar player (he plays only about three songs, but pretty well)
• Owner of a video store (including an adult section)
• Inventor of bar coding (just like Al Gore invented the internet)
• Winning baseball and softball coach
• Trainer of hundreds of BellSouth minds in technical sales
• Seller of lots of phone company stuff (I never really know what he actually sold, things like infrastructure services, bits and bytes and something about WAN and LAN, but apparently he did pretty well)
• Toter of more flower buckets than any other florist lackey
• Successful financial advisor (though he never reached Bernie Madoff status)
• Traniner of our Shelty dog to howl on key (seriously, it was pretty cool)
• Concession stand manager for the Germantown Devils (that was a real high point)
• Physical prowess - Dad had a mild stroke and didn’t know it, just kept on working (yeah, he thought it was just a bad nosebleed)
• Connoisseir of the PB and banana sandwich
• Newly converted composter
• Carpenter who made all of the cabinets in our first kitchen which proves he’s pretty good with his hands (he consciously chose not to do that again, which proves he is pretty smart)
• Radio commentator (actually, he read the newspaper on public radio for people who couldn’t read)
• Accomplished painter (he painted the walls in our many houses SEVERAL times over the years, including once when our dining and living room were literally Pepto Bismol pink… good thing he’s colorblind, otherwise he might have objected more)
• Skilled mathematician and statistician
• Gifted choral singer
• And last but not least, parent of three beautiful, talented and exceptionally bright children ;)
Dad, here’s a virtual toast to your next 65 years. Keep making us proud.
• Star football player in high school
• Guitar player (he plays only about three songs, but pretty well)
• Owner of a video store (including an adult section)
• Inventor of bar coding (just like Al Gore invented the internet)
• Winning baseball and softball coach
• Trainer of hundreds of BellSouth minds in technical sales
• Seller of lots of phone company stuff (I never really know what he actually sold, things like infrastructure services, bits and bytes and something about WAN and LAN, but apparently he did pretty well)
• Toter of more flower buckets than any other florist lackey
• Successful financial advisor (though he never reached Bernie Madoff status)
• Traniner of our Shelty dog to howl on key (seriously, it was pretty cool)
• Concession stand manager for the Germantown Devils (that was a real high point)
• Physical prowess - Dad had a mild stroke and didn’t know it, just kept on working (yeah, he thought it was just a bad nosebleed)
• Connoisseir of the PB and banana sandwich
• Newly converted composter
• Carpenter who made all of the cabinets in our first kitchen which proves he’s pretty good with his hands (he consciously chose not to do that again, which proves he is pretty smart)
• Radio commentator (actually, he read the newspaper on public radio for people who couldn’t read)
• Accomplished painter (he painted the walls in our many houses SEVERAL times over the years, including once when our dining and living room were literally Pepto Bismol pink… good thing he’s colorblind, otherwise he might have objected more)
• Skilled mathematician and statistician
• Gifted choral singer
• And last but not least, parent of three beautiful, talented and exceptionally bright children ;)
Dad, here’s a virtual toast to your next 65 years. Keep making us proud.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Over the Hill?
Dad's sixty-fifth reminds me of an early memory, his fortieth birthday at Grandma and Grandpa Gip's place in Homewood. I remember David, Beba, and Virginia especially, but I think all of the adults wore black armbands. Somebody cut out pieces of black trash bags and was going around, tying them on everybody's arms. It must have been really funny trying to explain to me what all the hoopla was about and the term "Over the Hill".
Well, we watched old embarrassing home movies and laughed a bunch (and what Stringer get-together would be complete without re-hashing old embarrassing moments?). It was a really memorable day to me for some reason. And while I do have a few years yet before I reach that milestone myself, I am starting to understand the black armbands.
They are a symbol of life's short timespan and, hey, you better get to enjoying it, man!
Well, maybe Jimmy went 'over the hill' that day, but that was really just the beginning of an incredible journey, spanning many trips to school, to multiple jobs, to practices and lessons, to France, China, and beyond, raising three kids and recently completing an amazing career with the phone company.
I, for one, have matured and prospered as a direct result of this journey. So many teachable moments were taken for what they were - and repeated endlessly. It seems like some of my most important "life lectures" happened on the way to or from soccer or school. Those times that I now, as a parent myself, cherish to no end.
Here is one oft-repeated nugget I carry with me to this day: "Son, your reputation is one of the most valuable things you own, but if you lose it, you can't buy it back, it's gone forever."
So, Dad, on your 65th, I raise a glass to you. You are a classic success story. It is a true gift to be your son. Thank you.
Happy Birthday!
Michael
Well, we watched old embarrassing home movies and laughed a bunch (and what Stringer get-together would be complete without re-hashing old embarrassing moments?). It was a really memorable day to me for some reason. And while I do have a few years yet before I reach that milestone myself, I am starting to understand the black armbands.
They are a symbol of life's short timespan and, hey, you better get to enjoying it, man!
Well, maybe Jimmy went 'over the hill' that day, but that was really just the beginning of an incredible journey, spanning many trips to school, to multiple jobs, to practices and lessons, to France, China, and beyond, raising three kids and recently completing an amazing career with the phone company.
I, for one, have matured and prospered as a direct result of this journey. So many teachable moments were taken for what they were - and repeated endlessly. It seems like some of my most important "life lectures" happened on the way to or from soccer or school. Those times that I now, as a parent myself, cherish to no end.
Here is one oft-repeated nugget I carry with me to this day: "Son, your reputation is one of the most valuable things you own, but if you lose it, you can't buy it back, it's gone forever."
So, Dad, on your 65th, I raise a glass to you. You are a classic success story. It is a true gift to be your son. Thank you.
Happy Birthday!
Michael
Not-so-distant Memories
Here is Jimmy enjoying champaign on the floor of the Grand Canyon with his lovely wife, Mary Helen, ca. 1997. Cheers!
Hmmm...not sure about this one...
From Ralph Quarles
Jim and friends,
Hope you enjoy the picture. Click on it to enlarge.
Best regards,
Ralph Quarles
Hope you enjoy the picture. Click on it to enlarge.
Best regards,
Ralph Quarles
Saturday, February 21, 2009
From Larry Jones
I don't know what I was thinking. Jim is from rural Alabama so what he really wants is a truck. The attached photo shows me at home in Florida picking up his present. I can see them now on the open road. Mary Helen popping the tops on cans of beer and Jim tossing the empties out the window. Meanwhile the rest of the family in the back having a picnic.
Friday, February 20, 2009
From Larry Jones
Did I every tell you about the time Jim pissed off the Dalai Lama? Jim and I were in Tibet so we decided to visit the most holy place in Buddhism, the Potala Palace. Well it's not an easy visit being 10,000 feet above sea level and the whole palace is vertical (see attached photo. You can just see Jim on the staircase in the middle of the photo). Jim decided to get a folding stool so he could rest when the guide was giving a lecture. Everything was fine until one leg of the stool collasped and Jim toppled over into a scared statue. The Dalai Lama was later quoted as saying "llmra istur starana" which I will not translate since this is a family blog.
From Stephanie Stringer
For Uncle Jimmy…
Oh my goodness, who would think…
Jimmy is on the brink!
Of turning 65 that is…
So let me handle this biz!
Jimmy’s a great uncle, for sure…
Cause how else could he endure…
All my phone calls for advice…
And he always helps me…
For he is so nice!
Every year Jimmy does my taxes…
I swear he never just relaxes!
I am grateful he cares for me enough…
As I know that tax work can be tough!
My dog Maddie is as cute as it gets,
But Jimmy says Uncle Sam doesn’t let us claim expenses from the vet…
On our tax returns just yet!
He likes to remind me “she’s only a dog”!
And then I just look at him in a hazy fog!
So I hope and pray today,
You have a wonderful b-day!
We are all so very happy
To honor you always…
And wish you the very happiest
Sixty-fifth birthday!
Happy Birthday - With Love,
Steph
Oh my goodness, who would think…
Jimmy is on the brink!
Of turning 65 that is…
So let me handle this biz!
Jimmy’s a great uncle, for sure…
Cause how else could he endure…
All my phone calls for advice…
And he always helps me…
For he is so nice!
Every year Jimmy does my taxes…
I swear he never just relaxes!
I am grateful he cares for me enough…
As I know that tax work can be tough!
My dog Maddie is as cute as it gets,
But Jimmy says Uncle Sam doesn’t let us claim expenses from the vet…
On our tax returns just yet!
He likes to remind me “she’s only a dog”!
And then I just look at him in a hazy fog!
So I hope and pray today,
You have a wonderful b-day!
We are all so very happy
To honor you always…
And wish you the very happiest
Sixty-fifth birthday!
Happy Birthday - With Love,
Steph
Thursday, February 19, 2009
A Poem from Robert and Carol Stringer
Oh, my goodness
Sakes alive!
Jim Stringer is turning
Sixty-Five!
Husband, father,
Brother and son.
He takes care of
Everyone!
And I know the kids
Most surely will attest
To the fact that as Granddad
He is simply THE BEST!
Not just a computer whiz, oh no!
He’s not your average Joe.
He uploads, downloads and faxes --
And if you’re lucky he’ll do your taxes!
Devoted to his family
They come first, you know
But then he and Mary Helen
Are sometimes on the go….
To Europe, to Russia,
To Egypt, and wait!
They even saw that wall
In China that’s Great!
You’re a super in-law brother,
I could ask for none other.
And so my rhyme must end….
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JIM!
Sakes alive!
Jim Stringer is turning
Sixty-Five!
Husband, father,
Brother and son.
He takes care of
Everyone!
And I know the kids
Most surely will attest
To the fact that as Granddad
He is simply THE BEST!
Not just a computer whiz, oh no!
He’s not your average Joe.
He uploads, downloads and faxes --
And if you’re lucky he’ll do your taxes!
Devoted to his family
They come first, you know
But then he and Mary Helen
Are sometimes on the go….
To Europe, to Russia,
To Egypt, and wait!
They even saw that wall
In China that’s Great!
You’re a super in-law brother,
I could ask for none other.
And so my rhyme must end….
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JIM!
From Robert Stringer
Since I am the #2 child I felt I should write a lot. I’m good at that -- and good at talking, too!
My earliest memories of growing up with my big brother Jim are from Elizabeth Avenue in Talladega. I will never forget riding on the handlebars of our bicycle with Jimmy pedaling 90 mph down Thrill Hill and running into a car traveling on the cross street. I think the lady driving the car was mad at us. We slammed into her pretty hard and dented her car door.
Mom used to take us all to pick blackberries (no, not cell phones) on the weird-looking area near Talladega known as Brecon. I think they once made bombs in Brecon for the military and we probably ate contaminated berries! Anyway, the darn berries were in sticker bushes and Mom said to be careful because snakes hung out there to eat birds who came to get the berries. Just another cycle in the food chain!
Once Dad took us squirrel hunting before daylight so we could beat the squirrels before they woke up! I remember Dad spanked me because he and Jimmy left me in the truck and I got scared and honked the horn………..thereby scaring off all the squirrels Dad was going to kill to make his “famous” squirrel dumplings! He and Jimmy had left me in the dark truck with only a flashlight! Jimmy got real smart early on and quit hunting and took up motorcycles and girls!
Dad, Jimmy and I opened a Sherwin Williams paint store in Talladega in 1954. I was the only five-year-old paint salesman in the State of Alabama. Jimmy and I also got to dust tops of paint cans, carry out garbage, sweep, and play in cardboard boxes in the trash area behind the store. On some Saturdays we got to sell Claxton Fruitcakes on Talladega Courthouse Square to help Dad’s Civitan Club fundraiser. One time a professor at Talladega College scolded Jim for hitting me in the head. He said it could cause brain damage! Now I’m here to tell you, Jimmy Stringer could sell some fruitcakes!! I bet he still has one left over!
One year, Jimmy got a Cushman motorcycle and we had to go to Oneonta, AL to get it. I remember Jimmy had to ride it all the way back to Talladega. Quite a ride considering Oneonta is in the mountains and the roads are scary. Anyway, I begged Jimmy to take me with him whenever he would go anywhere on his motorcycle. This began a long history of my wanting to tag along with my big brother!
Thank goodness we moved to Tuscaloosa when Jimmy was in high school. I remember the first time I went with Dad and Jim to meet his new football coach at Tuscaloosa High School. Coach said Jim looked like a good player! Boy was I proud to have a football star in my family. Jimmy’s knee was injured but he always sucked it up and played anyway.
Jim and I worked together at the Sherwin Williams in Tuscaloosa. Jimmy Wyatt wrote about my brother mixing paint……..my big brother would box together lacquer to match the heads of nails for Phifer Wire Co. in Tuscaloosa. Just try matching lacquer color to a nail head!! Quite a talent!! Sometimes the lacquer fumes made us both dizzy!
Jim went off to attend the University of Alabama and sometimes “allowed” me to visit him at the apartment he shared with his buddies. Lots of stories there -- that shall remain untold!
I love my brother Jim. He has always been the best role model anyone could have! Happy Birthday, Jimmy! Love, Robert
My earliest memories of growing up with my big brother Jim are from Elizabeth Avenue in Talladega. I will never forget riding on the handlebars of our bicycle with Jimmy pedaling 90 mph down Thrill Hill and running into a car traveling on the cross street. I think the lady driving the car was mad at us. We slammed into her pretty hard and dented her car door.
Mom used to take us all to pick blackberries (no, not cell phones) on the weird-looking area near Talladega known as Brecon. I think they once made bombs in Brecon for the military and we probably ate contaminated berries! Anyway, the darn berries were in sticker bushes and Mom said to be careful because snakes hung out there to eat birds who came to get the berries. Just another cycle in the food chain!
Once Dad took us squirrel hunting before daylight so we could beat the squirrels before they woke up! I remember Dad spanked me because he and Jimmy left me in the truck and I got scared and honked the horn………..thereby scaring off all the squirrels Dad was going to kill to make his “famous” squirrel dumplings! He and Jimmy had left me in the dark truck with only a flashlight! Jimmy got real smart early on and quit hunting and took up motorcycles and girls!
Dad, Jimmy and I opened a Sherwin Williams paint store in Talladega in 1954. I was the only five-year-old paint salesman in the State of Alabama. Jimmy and I also got to dust tops of paint cans, carry out garbage, sweep, and play in cardboard boxes in the trash area behind the store. On some Saturdays we got to sell Claxton Fruitcakes on Talladega Courthouse Square to help Dad’s Civitan Club fundraiser. One time a professor at Talladega College scolded Jim for hitting me in the head. He said it could cause brain damage! Now I’m here to tell you, Jimmy Stringer could sell some fruitcakes!! I bet he still has one left over!
One year, Jimmy got a Cushman motorcycle and we had to go to Oneonta, AL to get it. I remember Jimmy had to ride it all the way back to Talladega. Quite a ride considering Oneonta is in the mountains and the roads are scary. Anyway, I begged Jimmy to take me with him whenever he would go anywhere on his motorcycle. This began a long history of my wanting to tag along with my big brother!
Thank goodness we moved to Tuscaloosa when Jimmy was in high school. I remember the first time I went with Dad and Jim to meet his new football coach at Tuscaloosa High School. Coach said Jim looked like a good player! Boy was I proud to have a football star in my family. Jimmy’s knee was injured but he always sucked it up and played anyway.
Jim and I worked together at the Sherwin Williams in Tuscaloosa. Jimmy Wyatt wrote about my brother mixing paint……..my big brother would box together lacquer to match the heads of nails for Phifer Wire Co. in Tuscaloosa. Just try matching lacquer color to a nail head!! Quite a talent!! Sometimes the lacquer fumes made us both dizzy!
Jim went off to attend the University of Alabama and sometimes “allowed” me to visit him at the apartment he shared with his buddies. Lots of stories there -- that shall remain untold!
I love my brother Jim. He has always been the best role model anyone could have! Happy Birthday, Jimmy! Love, Robert
From Carol Stringer
Since Robert and I have lived in Florida all these years, we often did not get to see the family as much as everyone who lived in and around Birmingham. Jim and Mary Helen were living in Memphis, and heard that Robert and I were going to be visiting friends in Tupelo, Mississippi. It was January and the weather was cold and rainy. Jim and Mary Helen drove from Memphis to Tupelo, and joined us at the home of PeeWee Warren, a man who used to be Robert’s warehouse manager in Tampa. Pee Wee and his wife Minnie had a nice house and lots of little kids…..they were all excited we were visiting. Pee Wee said he was going to cook us dinner on his barbeque grill. As we sat in the living room, Pee Wee brought the dinner in and it was barbequed rabbit! Jim didn’t miss a beat (I’m not sure what Mary Helen did but I remember I did NOT eat the rabbit)! I know that Jim drove all the way back to Memphis that night. Robert and I talked about how wonderful he was to drive all that way to see us, and drag Mary Helen along, too! Jim always made a great effort to see us whenever we were visiting, and it meant (and still means) a lot to us!
And now for a few sentimental thoughts………Jim, you are so special to all your family. I am grateful for your caring ways, your sense of humor and your loving advice to our daughters, Layne and Stephanie. And we share a mutual love of coffee with half ‘n half!!! Happy, happy 65th Birthday! I wish you many more healthy, happy years! Love, Carol
And now for a few sentimental thoughts………Jim, you are so special to all your family. I am grateful for your caring ways, your sense of humor and your loving advice to our daughters, Layne and Stephanie. And we share a mutual love of coffee with half ‘n half!!! Happy, happy 65th Birthday! I wish you many more healthy, happy years! Love, Carol
From David and Sharon
Virginia can verify this. It was Christmas a few years ago when we first noticed a different side of our otherwise wonderful brother, Jimbo. Virginia, Jim and I were discussing an incident which happened one day when we all lived at home during our dinner meal. I'm sure some of you have heard this before. We lived in Tuscaloosa. We were so poor, when we had porkchops, there was only enough for each family member to have one. (this story is so long I'm switching to text language) Anyway, we were beginning to pass around the food. Our phone rang and it was our long winded Aunt Martha in Florida calling. Mom answered the phone and held quite a long conversation with her. When she got back to the table, her porkchop had been eaten by someone.
Well, during our discussion about it at this Christmas Party at Jim's house a couple of years ago when a side of Jim we had never seen popped (pun) up. Like I said, Jim, Va., and I were discussing the story or maybe Jim was telling it to someone and Va., and I were standing nearby. Jim told the story and told that it happened in Talladega, not Tuscaloosa. Va., interrupted Jim to say it happened when we lived in Tusc. Jim looked over her kinda stern and said, " I was there Virginia, I should know where it happened!" This kinda startled us and caught us by surprise as Va., and I both knew it happened in Tusc. After he said this and the tone he used was kinda stern, we just laughed at him as this was our first encounter with Jim's dementia, old age or what ever you want to call it. You had to be there. We were shocked. It was FUNNY. We never told him or corrected him.
Well, during our discussion about it at this Christmas Party at Jim's house a couple of years ago when a side of Jim we had never seen popped (pun) up. Like I said, Jim, Va., and I were discussing the story or maybe Jim was telling it to someone and Va., and I were standing nearby. Jim told the story and told that it happened in Talladega, not Tuscaloosa. Va., interrupted Jim to say it happened when we lived in Tusc. Jim looked over her kinda stern and said, " I was there Virginia, I should know where it happened!" This kinda startled us and caught us by surprise as Va., and I both knew it happened in Tusc. After he said this and the tone he used was kinda stern, we just laughed at him as this was our first encounter with Jim's dementia, old age or what ever you want to call it. You had to be there. We were shocked. It was FUNNY. We never told him or corrected him.
From Ralph Quarles
It is said that life is like a play consisting of three acts.
Act one is birth to 30 years.
Act two is 30 to 60 years.
We now find ourselves in the third and final act – 60 til?
Act three gives us the final opportunity to discover who we really are.
I leave you with a quote about age from Tryon Edwards:
“Age does not depend upon years, but upon temperament and health. Some men are born old, and some never grow so”.
I wish for you a happy 65th birthday and many more to come.
Best regards,
Ralph Quarles
Act one is birth to 30 years.
Act two is 30 to 60 years.
We now find ourselves in the third and final act – 60 til?
Act three gives us the final opportunity to discover who we really are.
I leave you with a quote about age from Tryon Edwards:
“Age does not depend upon years, but upon temperament and health. Some men are born old, and some never grow so”.
I wish for you a happy 65th birthday and many more to come.
Best regards,
Ralph Quarles
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
From Larry Jones
I just got back from a trip to Egypt with Jim and I know what he really, really wants for his birthday even if he doesn't. It's a camel. Lots of work to be done here. I need a volunteer to fly to the Cairo camel market. Look for a white one with good teeth. Somebody else needs to get a saddle. I need someone with a big backyard as a home for this baby. Who's going handle the Name That Camel contest.
Monday, February 16, 2009
From Larry Jones
For those who don't know me, I'm Mary Helen's cousin and I would like to share my first meeting with Jim. When I was a kid we always went on a family vacation every year to visit the relatives. One year we went to see Aunt Helen and Mary Helen and Mom told us we were going to meet someone very important so we should be on our best behavior. Naturally my brother and I immediately prepared ourselves for the worst. Who could this person be and why on earth should we be nice to him? Of course it was Jim and having been prepped by Mom we of course had a negative reaction. I know I can speak for myself and my brother when I say how wrong we were. Mary Helen found the best guy in the South and I'm proud to have him as a member of the family. He's my cousin as much as Mary Helen's. Now only if he were handsome...
From Kay Grafton Krinsky
Happy Birthday Jimmy. You are one of the best. I cannot believe we are all headed for the big 65. I quit having birthdays a while back that way people tend to lose track. Class of 62 loves you. Happy birthday to a true southern gentleman but there are stories to be told. Oh, that is for another time.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
From Virginia Gilbert
Happy Birthday to my OLD brother! Not that I’m as old as big brother Jim, I certainly have the oldest stories to tell on him. So happy to have this audience! Most of my life Jim (Jimmy) has been a great role model and good big-brother adviser, but as often happens in families, he had the great advantage of being the oldest of the bunch. For example, Mama always sent Jim brownies to him at Camp Mac. Not so with child #3. Mamaw and Daddy Bob, our grandparents, took this first-born, special grandchild on vacations to the Great Smokey Mountains; and Mamaw even wrote stories about her beloved grandson Jimmy. No grandparent-sponsored vacations and certainly no special Mamaw stories about the rest of us. (There’s no jealousy here, just facts!) I know that Jimmy couldn’t help it that he was the oldest, and I’m certainly aware that his position in the pecking order made life difficult. Occasionally, however, Jimmy would take a advantage of his little sister and her hero worship of him. For example, when I was about 10 years old, I wanted to make a little extra money. Jimmy hired me to be his assistant on his paper route. After we picked up the Tuscaloosa News papers, Robert and I would roll them and then drop Robert off at Druid City Hospital for his delivery route door-to-door there. Finally Jimmy and I were off to his route. He would drive the Volkswagen bus while I threw the papers into yards. Never mind that I wasn’t too good and missed a few yards. Then we would hit the apartments around the University of Alabama. While Jimmy sat in the bus and read the funny papers, I would run with unfolded papers up and down steps, delivering them to the front doors of the apartments. For all of this, not to mention that we began at 5:00 am, Jimmy paid me a whopping quarter a day! Needless to say, I finally wised up after about 2 weeks of this torture and quit!
For most of my life, though, I have to say that Jim has been a wonderful big brother. My first husband and I lived with Jim, Mary Helen, and newborn Leigh for a few weeks in Manassas, Virginia. Jim’s back was never the same after he helped us move a piano up three flights of stairs to our new apartment in Fairfax County. Sorry, Jim. I lived with them again two years later when I was finishing up a teaching position in Fairfax County and didn’t want to stay by myself. (I was so young and had never lived alone.) Jim and Mary Helen have included me so many times in their lives. For example, after I divorced, they took me with them on their family ski vacation out west, and Jim almost got trapped in a snowstorm while picking me up from the Denver airport. Again, sorry about that. The list of good big-brother deeds can go on and on, for which I am very grateful. Most of all, I am thankful to have grown up with this amazing person. Happy 65th, Jim!
Love,
Virginia
For most of my life, though, I have to say that Jim has been a wonderful big brother. My first husband and I lived with Jim, Mary Helen, and newborn Leigh for a few weeks in Manassas, Virginia. Jim’s back was never the same after he helped us move a piano up three flights of stairs to our new apartment in Fairfax County. Sorry, Jim. I lived with them again two years later when I was finishing up a teaching position in Fairfax County and didn’t want to stay by myself. (I was so young and had never lived alone.) Jim and Mary Helen have included me so many times in their lives. For example, after I divorced, they took me with them on their family ski vacation out west, and Jim almost got trapped in a snowstorm while picking me up from the Denver airport. Again, sorry about that. The list of good big-brother deeds can go on and on, for which I am very grateful. Most of all, I am thankful to have grown up with this amazing person. Happy 65th, Jim!
Love,
Virginia
Friday, February 13, 2009
From Suzanne Hager
Happy Birthday to our perpetual class president! Amazing that we are all getting to this age (I even have a medicare card). Although I am still younger than you, by about 3 weeks, you are one of the “elders” in our class. I will always remember your smiling face and happy personality. I wish you the best and look forward to seeing you at our 50th!!!
Best wishes,
Suzanne Hager
Administrative Assistant
HBA of Alabama
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
From Scott Albregts
I have two stories that I can share. The first one is just an old work story, the other will probably be embarrassing to Jim. Here is some background info on Jim and me first.
Jim and I have known each other for about 8 years. Jim and I worked together in the training organization at BellSouth before he retired. Today we stay in touch with a quarterly luncheon among some training guys and the occasional dinner party.
Story #1: When Jim and I worked together we sat right next to each other in a couple of cubes. We worked with an eclectic group of individuals, but the one that was most challenging was a counterpart in another state. This person was a real talker and even though she was a nice person, a great worker, etc., Jim and I dreaded getting on the phone with this person because they would talk for an hour or two before you could even say "I've got to go". Thank goodness for caller id because that was the only way you could avoid this person and let it go to VM and then respond with an email (we did that quite a bit). Unfortunately, there were times that we had to get on the phone and it would just kill your day. Anyway, Jim and I developed this SOS plan whenever we did have to speak to this person. If one was on and they were ready to get off, the other would always yell something like..."Jim, we have been called into an emergency meeting..." or "Jim, Jeannie (our director at the time) wants to see you right now." Of course, the other person, would stop talking and we would get off the phone. To this day, that person didn't know what we were doing.
Story #2: One time while we were working together our director decided we needed to have a night out as a team because we had been very busy. We went as a group (about 10 of us) and made dinner reservations at NAVA in Buckhead. As you can expect it was a very nice time with drinks, good food and great conversation (at this point I will emphasize the drinks and the great conversation). Anyway, we had dinner and it was time for dessert. I'm not for sure what it was called, but Jim as well as a few others ordered some kind of banana dessert. I'm not for sure what it was but it had a rather large banana sliced up as part of it with a special sweet sauce. After Jim got his, he started making several comments about how BIG his banana was, that it was SWEET and that he would be more that HAPPY to share it with the ladies in the group. Now when you mix several cocktails and some slap happy employees you have a deadly mixture for people to take your words out of context and that is exactly what happen. It got to the point Jim had to stop talking because everytime he said something a bunch of us turned it around on him and started laughing.
Happy Birthday Jim!
Your friend, Scott Albregts
Jim and I have known each other for about 8 years. Jim and I worked together in the training organization at BellSouth before he retired. Today we stay in touch with a quarterly luncheon among some training guys and the occasional dinner party.
Story #1: When Jim and I worked together we sat right next to each other in a couple of cubes. We worked with an eclectic group of individuals, but the one that was most challenging was a counterpart in another state. This person was a real talker and even though she was a nice person, a great worker, etc., Jim and I dreaded getting on the phone with this person because they would talk for an hour or two before you could even say "I've got to go". Thank goodness for caller id because that was the only way you could avoid this person and let it go to VM and then respond with an email (we did that quite a bit). Unfortunately, there were times that we had to get on the phone and it would just kill your day. Anyway, Jim and I developed this SOS plan whenever we did have to speak to this person. If one was on and they were ready to get off, the other would always yell something like..."Jim, we have been called into an emergency meeting..." or "Jim, Jeannie (our director at the time) wants to see you right now." Of course, the other person, would stop talking and we would get off the phone. To this day, that person didn't know what we were doing.
Story #2: One time while we were working together our director decided we needed to have a night out as a team because we had been very busy. We went as a group (about 10 of us) and made dinner reservations at NAVA in Buckhead. As you can expect it was a very nice time with drinks, good food and great conversation (at this point I will emphasize the drinks and the great conversation). Anyway, we had dinner and it was time for dessert. I'm not for sure what it was called, but Jim as well as a few others ordered some kind of banana dessert. I'm not for sure what it was but it had a rather large banana sliced up as part of it with a special sweet sauce. After Jim got his, he started making several comments about how BIG his banana was, that it was SWEET and that he would be more that HAPPY to share it with the ladies in the group. Now when you mix several cocktails and some slap happy employees you have a deadly mixture for people to take your words out of context and that is exactly what happen. It got to the point Jim had to stop talking because everytime he said something a bunch of us turned it around on him and started laughing.
Happy Birthday Jim!
Your friend, Scott Albregts
Monday, February 9, 2009
From Judi and Barry Kanne
We have fond memories of Wesley Kanne Clark's presidential campaign with your Mom and Dad. They were super supporters and made campaigning more fun than Barry and I had experienced in a very long time. Barry searched for photos with the folks … he couldn't find one with your Mom … but he did corner these …
At the table are Jean and Betty Roy (I believe they are across from each other) and Joe Heinerfeld (gray hair) … (I will have Barry double-check the spelling of Joe's last name).
Bottom photo includes my husband Barry Kanne with your Dad showing off their new T-shirts for the campaign. We lost the vote … but gained some wonderful friendships.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Advertising on Jimmy is 65
I just received an email asking if I wanted to advertise on Jimmy is 65. Apparently it has receieved lots of traffic and this blog advertizer thinks they can make money on it.
What sort of advertizing do you think is appropriate?
What sort of advertizing do you think is appropriate?
- Foreign travel agencies
- Grandparent gifts
- Composting ideas
- Hybrid car adverts
From Elliot Jones
Maybe you could explain something to me. Billboards advertising your birthday have been posted along Interstate 95 in Florida. I can understand that but they are the automated type that alternate from one sign to another. First there is a picture with a large birthday cake -- and I mean large -- with "Happy Birthday Jim" on it. Then the sign changes to one showing you in a bathing suit flexing large arm muscles with a lot of admiring women standing around. The caption is "65 and very alive."
I do wish you a happy birthday. Yet you are making we younger but-less-fit guys look bad. So please let us know what it is you are doing to maintain your years not just in style, but in raw sexiness!
Elliott
I do wish you a happy birthday. Yet you are making we younger but-less-fit guys look bad. So please let us know what it is you are doing to maintain your years not just in style, but in raw sexiness!
Elliott
Friday, February 6, 2009
From Jimmy Wyatt
Jimmy (now known as Jim) Stringer and I go “way back”. We were born days apart at Citizens Hospital in Talladega but did not know each other until he moved to Tuscaloosa in the summer before our sophomore year in high school (1959) and we began fall football practice. We were both a lot slimmer back then.
Stringer was a big time guy when he got a Chevy convertible the following spring and could take us places. It was a beauty, a 1952 or 1953 model that was guaranteed to lock up nine out of ten times when he shifted from first to second gear. The privilege of riding with him meant that you had to get out and pull up the gear levers under the hood to unlock them. He eventually got pretty good at starting off in third gear most of the time. I don’t remember his keeping the car that long and I have always wondered why. Probably his most reliable vehicle was the VW bus that served as the Sherwin Williams delivery vehicle.
Jimmy worked at Sherwin Williams on weekends and during the summer and he was the chief paint formulator and mixer. Probably many customers never knew why their paint never was quite the color that they thought it would be. Not until Jimmy took his physical for ROTC did he know that he was color blind and not just a little color blind – the “blindness” was BIG time. I’m sure that this is why he turned to computers and did not pursue taking over the paint industry.
Jimmy and I would double date on occasion and he was always up for adventure. Once when he was dating Lulu, Robin (now my wife – obviously he found someone better than Lulu) and I drove to Birmingham with them to a basketball game at Shades Valley High. Jimmy wanted us to see a phenomenal thing, a dancing Christmas tree in Lynn Park in downtown Birmingham. We went downtown and the tree was dead asleep without a light on and definitely not dancing. Since we were so disappointed he promised to make up for it by showing us a shortcut from downtown Birmingham (before Interstates existed) to US 11 outside of Bessemer. We drove and drove and drove and drove. Then the road starting getting narrower and houses starting to get further and further apart and despite repeatedly telling us he knew where we were, we came literally to the end of the road with a pig trail going off into the woods. At that point he said “I think I missed a turn somewhere”. We backed up a mile or two so that we could turn around and finally saw a house with lights on and he asked how we could get to US 11. The nice people said “you can’t get there from here”. We can say that we have been to Birmingport and if you go to Hueytown you can get to Bessemer and US 11. We can also say that we have actually been on a road that ended in a pig trail!
Jimmy and Mary Helen married and Jimmy entered the Army. He was stationed at Fort Eustis, VA. When my father had a heart attack while visiting my sister in Greenville, NC, Robin and I went to see him and decided to go see Jimmy and Mary Helen. We were amazed at all of their appliances and it turns out being in the Quartermaster Corp qualified you to know about government property that isn’t on the books --- freezers, air conditioners, washing machines, etc., that could be used but that could never leave the base. He was a master of several warehouses full of this stuff and controlled the base by loaning items to very influential people cycling through Fort Eustis. I understand that he offered free delivery and pick up service. Furthermore, they started Robin and I on a life of ruin by introducing us to wine by serving us a Liefraumilch, a “light, white, Rhine Wine”. We thought it was delicious, but now wouldn’t touch it!!! Our palates have matured along with our bodies, I guess!
Stringer was a big time guy when he got a Chevy convertible the following spring and could take us places. It was a beauty, a 1952 or 1953 model that was guaranteed to lock up nine out of ten times when he shifted from first to second gear. The privilege of riding with him meant that you had to get out and pull up the gear levers under the hood to unlock them. He eventually got pretty good at starting off in third gear most of the time. I don’t remember his keeping the car that long and I have always wondered why. Probably his most reliable vehicle was the VW bus that served as the Sherwin Williams delivery vehicle.
Jimmy worked at Sherwin Williams on weekends and during the summer and he was the chief paint formulator and mixer. Probably many customers never knew why their paint never was quite the color that they thought it would be. Not until Jimmy took his physical for ROTC did he know that he was color blind and not just a little color blind – the “blindness” was BIG time. I’m sure that this is why he turned to computers and did not pursue taking over the paint industry.
Jimmy and I would double date on occasion and he was always up for adventure. Once when he was dating Lulu, Robin (now my wife – obviously he found someone better than Lulu) and I drove to Birmingham with them to a basketball game at Shades Valley High. Jimmy wanted us to see a phenomenal thing, a dancing Christmas tree in Lynn Park in downtown Birmingham. We went downtown and the tree was dead asleep without a light on and definitely not dancing. Since we were so disappointed he promised to make up for it by showing us a shortcut from downtown Birmingham (before Interstates existed) to US 11 outside of Bessemer. We drove and drove and drove and drove. Then the road starting getting narrower and houses starting to get further and further apart and despite repeatedly telling us he knew where we were, we came literally to the end of the road with a pig trail going off into the woods. At that point he said “I think I missed a turn somewhere”. We backed up a mile or two so that we could turn around and finally saw a house with lights on and he asked how we could get to US 11. The nice people said “you can’t get there from here”. We can say that we have been to Birmingport and if you go to Hueytown you can get to Bessemer and US 11. We can also say that we have actually been on a road that ended in a pig trail!
Jimmy and Mary Helen married and Jimmy entered the Army. He was stationed at Fort Eustis, VA. When my father had a heart attack while visiting my sister in Greenville, NC, Robin and I went to see him and decided to go see Jimmy and Mary Helen. We were amazed at all of their appliances and it turns out being in the Quartermaster Corp qualified you to know about government property that isn’t on the books --- freezers, air conditioners, washing machines, etc., that could be used but that could never leave the base. He was a master of several warehouses full of this stuff and controlled the base by loaning items to very influential people cycling through Fort Eustis. I understand that he offered free delivery and pick up service. Furthermore, they started Robin and I on a life of ruin by introducing us to wine by serving us a Liefraumilch, a “light, white, Rhine Wine”. We thought it was delicious, but now wouldn’t touch it!!! Our palates have matured along with our bodies, I guess!
From Jeff and Layne Spotts
In my adult years, Uncle Jim has been someone I have turned to for very valuable advice and help. He is always there to answer emails and phone calls and for that I am very grateful. And he throws great family BBQ's!!! Happy Birthday!
Jeff and Layne Spotts
Sylacauga, Alabama
Thursday, February 5, 2009
From Allen Folts
I met Jimmy the in the first class of the first day he entered Tuscaloosa High School from Talladega County. There was another transfer student that day as well, she was from somewhere in Tallapoosa County (I may have the counties reversed).
We were such nerds that we actually noticed that, in order of seating, we were from Counties number 61, 62 and 63 on car tags.
OK, we leave these three for now and change scenes.
I was washing windows of the band room one Saturday morning when out of nowhere this living doll of a girl walks up behind the ladder I was standing on. She said, “hello, I’m Mary Helen.” I said (did I mention I was a nerd), “h..h..h..h…, um, er, um, drool, hack (I smoked then). She said, “I’m going to try out for majorette and was wondering what time band practice is.” I said…well you know what I said (see first encounter).
Skip forward,
As it turned out Jimmy was not a nerd, he was just humoring me. Heck, he played football and became our senior class president. Next thing I know he’s dating my Mary Helen (apparently he could speak to her in coherent sentences, that usually wins over the girl).
Fast forward again, Jimmy shows up at a Kappa Sigma Fraternity rush party, and before I can warn him, he pledges. We spent many good times together as brothers throughout college.
The girl from Tallapoosa County? She married another KS brother of ours and became Mrs. Joan Baxley. Now how’s that for a small world?
Allen Folts
We were such nerds that we actually noticed that, in order of seating, we were from Counties number 61, 62 and 63 on car tags.
OK, we leave these three for now and change scenes.
I was washing windows of the band room one Saturday morning when out of nowhere this living doll of a girl walks up behind the ladder I was standing on. She said, “hello, I’m Mary Helen.” I said (did I mention I was a nerd), “h..h..h..h…, um, er, um, drool, hack (I smoked then). She said, “I’m going to try out for majorette and was wondering what time band practice is.” I said…well you know what I said (see first encounter).
Skip forward,
As it turned out Jimmy was not a nerd, he was just humoring me. Heck, he played football and became our senior class president. Next thing I know he’s dating my Mary Helen (apparently he could speak to her in coherent sentences, that usually wins over the girl).
Fast forward again, Jimmy shows up at a Kappa Sigma Fraternity rush party, and before I can warn him, he pledges. We spent many good times together as brothers throughout college.
The girl from Tallapoosa County? She married another KS brother of ours and became Mrs. Joan Baxley. Now how’s that for a small world?
Allen Folts
From Paul Terlemezian
I apologize for taking so long to come up with a story to tell about Jim. It’s not that I could not think of any...it’s just that I could not think of any that Jim would want to have his family know about. Most of the stories start out simple and innocent and then Stan Bokoski makes a comment subject to interpretation and Jim certainly makes an interpretation. It usually goes downhill pretty quickly from there no matter what Stan or I try to do to remind Jim that we are in a church. And most of the time it’s just something simple to do with flowers – and then Jim gets into some story about the birds and the bees and gosh – Stan and I are so innocent that we laugh to be polite but Jim goes on and on (is he blushing yet?) In reality, Jim is quite the gentlemen. He enjoys laughing and seeing others laugh. He tells a good story, likes a good story and enjoys innocent banter. He is always fun to be around and livens up any activity that he is involved with...and one last comment to Jim --- keep the monthly check coming to me and the I’ll keep the rest of the stories locked in a vault in Vegas!
From Rusty Dockery
Even though Jimmy is a LOT older than me, we seemed to bump into each other when we were young. We went to Forest Lake Baptist church together and suffered through "graded choir" there. At Tuscaloosa High School, we were in the Mixed Chorus and I'm pretty sure we went to All State Chorus together. When I started at the University of Alabama in engineering, Jimmy gave me some pointers about scheduling and I bought my first set of drafting tools from him. A couple of years later, he and I were in the ROTC honor society, Scabbard and Blade. One of my recollections was driving a borrowed motorcycle with Jimmy on the back harassing the new inductees early one morning. They were supposed to be at attention in formation . . . we'd blow by and distract them. Jimmy lobbed a few eggs into the general vicinity (not hitting anyone) to simulate incoming mortar rounds, I guess. Many years later, Jimmy called me when Mary Helen's mother passed away to assist in marketing her home. Hadn't seen either of them in quite a while at that point . . . we'd bumped into each other at Classmates.com. I'm glad Jimmy's hitting 65 and doing well. At our advanced age some of my facts may be fuzzy :-) but I remember him as an outgoing and friendly guy. I'm sure all his current friends feel the same way.
Rusty Dockery
THS 1963, UA 1968
Rusty Dockery
THS 1963, UA 1968
From Richard Hamner
I have been thinking about this ever since I got the first E-mail from Laura, and I couldn't think of any wild stories about Jim, so just let this be my input to you for his birthday:
Happy Birthday, Jim!
I am still only 64 and therefore a bit younger than you, so I will defer to your superior wisdom and the experience that comes from age.
I told Leigh and Laura that I couldn't think of any wild stories to tell that would embarrass you in front of your family, so that is my greatest compliment to you! You have always been a straight shooter, and you have always lived life on the high road.
When we elected our class president back in our senior year at THS, we definitely got the best man for the job. We have always looked up to you as our leader, both social and spiritual, and we are thankful that you are in our midst.
I am sitting here looking at your senior picture in the 1962 Annual, and I am once again reminded that you have always embodied the scholar - athlete - gentleman. You have superior accomplishments on the athletic field and in the classroom both, but most of all in our hearts as our friend and mentor and our standard for how to live.
I just have one question: How did you talk someone that good looking into marrying you?
All the best on your birthday!
Love to you,
Richard Hamner, Class of 1962
From Christine Watson
My earliest memories of Jim are from Tuscaloosa High School in 1960. He and my brother John Rickett were friends and football stars for the Tuscaloosa Black Bears. Of course, being a younger sister and only a freshman, I was pretty much ignored by these popular seniors who soon graduated and moved on to college.
After several years, I caught up with Jim and Mary Helen at All Saints’ Church in Homewood, AL. Our girls were the same ages and we really enjoyed getting together for church and social activities. I was working for BellSouth and Jim came to work there also. Although, he and I were never in the same department, it was another common bond for us. My girls, Sidney and Eva, loved the Stringers as a second family. In fact, Jim and Mary Helen agreed to be legal guardians for the girls if ever needed. We were really sad when the Stringer family moved to Memphis. We kept in touch and there were a few visits but we really missed them.
When Eva and Laura came to the University of Alabama, we were excited that they pledged the same sorority. That brought us back in touch with Jim and Mary Helen. When Sidney married in 1995, Mary Helen and Jim brought flowers from Memphis to decorate All Saint’s church and The Club for the wedding and reception. What a beautiful and loving gift that was for Sidney and all of us!
In 1998 when BellSouth moved me to Atlanta, I was thrilled to learn that Jim and Mary Helen were there, too, and lived not very far away. We got together a few times and they met my husband John. One particularly wonderful event was when Jim invited us and my brother John with his wife Trudy to a concert at Chastain Park. The six of us had a great time together and it was fun to see Jim and my brother reunite and reminisce about high school football days.
It’s been a while since I have seen Jim and Mary Helen but we have stayed in touch with life events (e.g., my brother’s illness and death, challenges and joys with parents, children, and grandchildren). Jim and I are both retired from BellSouth now but busier than ever. I am in the process of moving back to Alabama but know that the friendship I share with Jim and Mary Helen will continue no matter where we live.
Happy Birthday, Jim! Enjoy this milestone to the fullest. I’m sending you best wishes and much love from the Rickett/Watson family. Fondly,
Christine
After several years, I caught up with Jim and Mary Helen at All Saints’ Church in Homewood, AL. Our girls were the same ages and we really enjoyed getting together for church and social activities. I was working for BellSouth and Jim came to work there also. Although, he and I were never in the same department, it was another common bond for us. My girls, Sidney and Eva, loved the Stringers as a second family. In fact, Jim and Mary Helen agreed to be legal guardians for the girls if ever needed. We were really sad when the Stringer family moved to Memphis. We kept in touch and there were a few visits but we really missed them.
When Eva and Laura came to the University of Alabama, we were excited that they pledged the same sorority. That brought us back in touch with Jim and Mary Helen. When Sidney married in 1995, Mary Helen and Jim brought flowers from Memphis to decorate All Saint’s church and The Club for the wedding and reception. What a beautiful and loving gift that was for Sidney and all of us!
In 1998 when BellSouth moved me to Atlanta, I was thrilled to learn that Jim and Mary Helen were there, too, and lived not very far away. We got together a few times and they met my husband John. One particularly wonderful event was when Jim invited us and my brother John with his wife Trudy to a concert at Chastain Park. The six of us had a great time together and it was fun to see Jim and my brother reunite and reminisce about high school football days.
It’s been a while since I have seen Jim and Mary Helen but we have stayed in touch with life events (e.g., my brother’s illness and death, challenges and joys with parents, children, and grandchildren). Jim and I are both retired from BellSouth now but busier than ever. I am in the process of moving back to Alabama but know that the friendship I share with Jim and Mary Helen will continue no matter where we live.
Happy Birthday, Jim! Enjoy this milestone to the fullest. I’m sending you best wishes and much love from the Rickett/Watson family. Fondly,
Christine
From Oliver McClellan
I met Jim while working on a training project for BellSouth in 2000. As a vendor consultant I was accustomed to being treated as an “outsider” when I started a new business relationship, but I was pleasantly surprised when Jim and his colleagues immediately took me into their work team. Jim was still protective of some information, as he should be, but he provided everything I requested and offered helpful suggestions on how to deal with some topics. So Jim was a genuinely nice guy, but I also learned he was also very good at understanding products and technology, and at relating it in a way that people understood. The more I watched Jim work and create courseware, the more my appreciation for his development talents increased. You have to understand that I’ve dealt with many “training specialists” in various companies that don’t have any talent or experience in developing or delivering training. Jim was that rare person who could use their knowledge and experience to interpret technical concepts and products, and then put their thoughts and ideas about a topic onto paper. He is an excellent writer/developer and all I had to do was get out of the way and let him work. We’ve worked together on many projects since starting that first project back on 2000, and Jim and I have continued to work together since he left BellSouth. I know he’ll hang up the developer tool bag at some point, but I hope he will continue to call me his friend.
From Camille and George Hlinko
Leigh is married to our son, John Hlinko, and they are the parents of our beautiful granddaughter, Katherine Rose (Kate). Lucky John - he has the greatest in-laws! We could have stolen comments from one of the Friars Club Roasts, but we didn't even want to hint at sarcasms or insults -- just can't do it. We can however, tell "Jimmy" how we truly feel about him: Warm, kind, thoughtful, considerate, intelligent, humorous, handsome, clever and for those of you who have never had one, Jim makes a perfect Cosmopolitan. Jim, may God bless you and Mary Helen with all of the many graces you deserve and remember, 65 is the new 45 (with Medicare)!
Love,Camille and George
Love,Camille and George
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
From Mary Jo Jernigan Miller
I am a high school classmate of Jimmy's and am so very fond of both your mother and father. I am forwarding your email to Richard Hamner, also in our class and the person with the best memory and stories. I know Richard will add a lot.
Best Regards, Mary Jo Jernigan Miller
Best Regards, Mary Jo Jernigan Miller
From Rebecca Davis
I have several memories of your dad from when we were in fourth and fifth grade. They're all pretty fuzzy, it's possible they're not really right. There were two things I thought about your dad growing up: he was really funny, and he worked for the phone company. But here are some more specific memories: So the first is that we had some project in Mrs. Finley's class to show what it was like to live in colonial America, and your dad got really into it and basically built us a village of tiny little plywood houses on a huge piece of plywood. Then you and I were supposed to decorate it. I think all I did was pick up a little pinestraw and slap it on a roof or two... hardly the contribution that I should have made. I also have a vague recollection of trying to lay "roads" on that project with red Alabama clay mud but the mud shrinking before we could get it into the class. I'm sure Mrs. Finley took one look at the thing and knew we had had very little to do with it!
The second was at some point I was over at your house and there was some activity that we were supposed to be doing outside - clearing brush (kidding) or raking leaves or some such thing, and Laura and Michael got into a fight about something, and someone might have pushed someone else. There were tears and a little yelling, and your dad was so calm and got them both to stand close to each other and apologize to each other. They were really little but I remember that he took even a little-kid fight seriously and really got them to talk to each other. It made a big impression on me - it was a great lesson about taking the time to treat your family with love and respect, even in the heat of battle or little fights.
The third was Piper. I seem to remember that your dad did a ton of research on the best types of dogs for kids - not too big, not too small, easy to get along with, easy disposition, and he came up with Shelties, so you got Piper. Except that she was a crazy dog (at least that's how I remember her), big into the barking. You called her hyper Piper.
The last is that he encouraged you to really think about what you wanted to do in life really early on. I remember it even from when were in elementary school! I'm not sure if you decided to be an architect then or it came later, but I thought it was fantastic that your dad encouraged you to think big thoughts and have big dreams to fulfill. And you have!
Happy birthday, Mr. Stringer! You've been a blessing in my life. Rebecca
The second was at some point I was over at your house and there was some activity that we were supposed to be doing outside - clearing brush (kidding) or raking leaves or some such thing, and Laura and Michael got into a fight about something, and someone might have pushed someone else. There were tears and a little yelling, and your dad was so calm and got them both to stand close to each other and apologize to each other. They were really little but I remember that he took even a little-kid fight seriously and really got them to talk to each other. It made a big impression on me - it was a great lesson about taking the time to treat your family with love and respect, even in the heat of battle or little fights.
The third was Piper. I seem to remember that your dad did a ton of research on the best types of dogs for kids - not too big, not too small, easy to get along with, easy disposition, and he came up with Shelties, so you got Piper. Except that she was a crazy dog (at least that's how I remember her), big into the barking. You called her hyper Piper.
The last is that he encouraged you to really think about what you wanted to do in life really early on. I remember it even from when were in elementary school! I'm not sure if you decided to be an architect then or it came later, but I thought it was fantastic that your dad encouraged you to think big thoughts and have big dreams to fulfill. And you have!
Happy birthday, Mr. Stringer! You've been a blessing in my life. Rebecca
From Ann and Fay Pearce
Happy Birthday, Jim. Ah, to be 65 again. Your best years are ahead of you! We always enjoy seeing you around the All Saints’ campus. Enjoy your special day.
Love, Ann and Fay Pearce
Love, Ann and Fay Pearce
From Louise Franklin
I first met Jim and Mary Helen in 2002 when we wound up in the same All Saints’ Foyer Group (a group of 10 who meet for a covered dish supper 5-6 times a year). I fell in love with their rollicking personalities and was delighted to find myself in a Foyer Group with them again in 2006. Our friendship has continued through the ups and downs of the Flower Guild feast days, where Jim has been a tower of strength – physically and emotionally. Nothing gets him down. Happy Birthday and many more!
From Malinda Snow
Here's a little story about Jim. I am a Sacred Harp singer, and I tend to be quite free with my enthusiasm for this activity. I tell everybody I meet about singing. There's no escaping it. When we were in a foyer group together Jim patiently listened to me carry on about singing, and he actually came to a singing. Most people listen politely and go on about their business, but he really came, and he sang. He stayed all day, participating in every way, talking with people and joining in. It made me feel good to be able to introduce "my friend Jim" to the other singers. I am grateful to Jim for showing interest and being willing not only to take the time but to try something new. Not everyone is patient enough, or flexible enough, to do that.
Happy Birthday, Jim.
Happy Birthday, Jim.
From Allison Pritchett
Dear Jim,
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, and welcome to the wonderful world ofSocial Security and Medicare. I personally love getting my "welfare check" every month! It has been such a pleasure getting to know the two of you. Have a very happy day, and we'll all raise a cup of Star Bucks to you soon.
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, and welcome to the wonderful world ofSocial Security and Medicare. I personally love getting my "welfare check" every month! It has been such a pleasure getting to know the two of you. Have a very happy day, and we'll all raise a cup of Star Bucks to you soon.
From Sug and Pat Patton
A big Happy 65th Birthday wish to a fellow Alabaman!!!!! It has been such fun being with you and Mary Helen in Free To Be Saints at All Saints. We look forward to working and playing with y'all many times in the future. Have a great day!!!!
Monday, January 26, 2009
From Wanda Bokoski
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Your mom and I were co-chairs on All Saints flower Guild for 2 years, and enlisted our husbands to come down for big festivals to help...putting up huge wreaths on wobbly ladders, securing 15 foot Christmas trees, hanging garlands and arrangements over the organ and other unreachable places. Jim came up with various titles he and Stan could aspire to as flower Guild husbands: twig...green beginnerbranch...more experiencedtrunk... long time expertstump...past their prime, retired They were given the golden branch award for their tireless dedication during Christmas 2006...I will try to find the photo of the "award ceremony". What a good natured, great Dad you have! Wanda Bokoski
Friday, January 23, 2009
From Diane and David Barber
David and I are very new friends of your parents. It is been our pleasure to get to know them through All Saints' Church and the Flower Guild. We are very grateful for their friendship and smiling faces most Sunday's down front on the epistle side of All Saints'.
The Flower Guild is great about arranging and displaying beautiful flowers but when it comes to taking them down we get very few volunteers ..... 2 exceptions, your Mom and Dad are always there to help. Check out Jim's muscles from toting and lifting hundreds and hundreds of flowers, he' buff!
We also share a love for travel, however, they are way ahead of us.....China and now Egypt. We are taking notes and saving our pennies.
We have had so many conversations about their grandchildren, in Atlanta and Oregon. How wonderful for the entire family to have 2 little grandson's and a daughter living at home. It makes all of us other grandparents green with envy!
Jim, have a very Happy Birthday. David and I wish you and Mary Helen many years of good health and good luck.
See you down front,
Diane and David Barber
The Flower Guild is great about arranging and displaying beautiful flowers but when it comes to taking them down we get very few volunteers ..... 2 exceptions, your Mom and Dad are always there to help. Check out Jim's muscles from toting and lifting hundreds and hundreds of flowers, he' buff!
We also share a love for travel, however, they are way ahead of us.....China and now Egypt. We are taking notes and saving our pennies.
We have had so many conversations about their grandchildren, in Atlanta and Oregon. How wonderful for the entire family to have 2 little grandson's and a daughter living at home. It makes all of us other grandparents green with envy!
Jim, have a very Happy Birthday. David and I wish you and Mary Helen many years of good health and good luck.
See you down front,
Diane and David Barber
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Jimmy is turning 65
Hello, family and friends! This is a website dedicated to virtually roasting Jim Stringer on the occasion of his 65th birthday.
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