Tucker, Georgia High School Class of 1962
Pat Sparks Friend
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First impressions of Tucker High School: Our family moved from the Cross
Keys area to Briarmoor Manor (Hawthorne Drive) in November of my 10th grade
(1959) year. Oh! My Gosh! My first day at Tucker I was absolutely HORRIFIED!
The building was SO OLD and UGLY! The lockers were actually WOODEN! Mine
didn't even LOCK! I thought this must be the most dilapidated and pathetic
school on the planet. I went home and actually cried. I told my parents
that I could not possibly attend school there. I guess I raised so much
fuss that my mother said if I would give it a two week try and at that time
if I still felt the same way, I could go back to Cross Keys. I was SURE
that was what I would do. However, maybe a day or two later, I felt the
"embrace" of my fellow classmates and decided it wasn't such a
bad place after all. THANK THE LORD! My high school days were among the
very best times of my life. When I remember classes, sports, and other events
I almost feel like I am a teenager again and happiness abounds. Since I
was always with Bob League (from Cross Keys) I never dated any of the THS
boys - maybe that's why the THS girls accepted me - NOT that I would be
a threat, but I was just the guys' friend. I have such fond (and a few not-so-fond)
memories of the "good old days". Do some of you (I won't mention
names but Red was involved) remember the time we climbed the water tower
at night and spray painted "THS Class of '62) in red paint on it? Now,
that was a hoot! Remember accidentally kicking the trash can down the stone
steps into the basement on a daily basis? And ... NOBODY can forget our
STAR football team and those exciting times on Friday nights. On the other
hand, Coach Rycroft totally hated me. I think it was partly due to Bob driving
through the parking lot in his gorgeous '57 Chevy with the Glass Pack mufflers.
Rycroft thought it not only his duty but his mission in life to call the
cops regularly about that! I do remember having a few days "vacation"
a couple of times but my parents never got mad at me about the hijinks.
Another time that wasn't so super was when Bob and I were "parking"
off Henderson Mill Road and had backed up into the woods for seclusion.
Oh! No! All of a sudden lights appeared in the rearview window. God forbid!
It was Glenda's dad - A COP! Fortunately he just talked to us and asked
us to "move along". One great memory was that the Seniors (when
we were Juniors) always actually SPOKE to us. Like we were real people!
That was a warm and fuzzy feeling to have their esteemed acknowledgement.
They were even nice to my little brother, Jim, who was a "lowly"
8th grader - he was admired by his peers because of it. When Doug Miller,
Bill Bacon, Larry Wilson or the others spoke to him in the hallway on occasion,
his popularity soared. As most of you know, I married Bob right out of high
school. We had two sons, Jon Michael (Michael) and James Christopher (Chris).
After seven years Bob and I divorced, very amicably. We are still close
to this day and, as a matter of fact, he and his lovely wife, Jeanne, came
for a week's visit this fall to stay in my home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
We had a ball! My father unfortunately passed away in 1979 of heart disease.
I thought my life was over! I adored him. Daddy was always bringing some
pitiful, stranded or injured animal home for us to nurse. We had squirrels,
dogs, kittens, a raccoon and of course, "Raffles" the crow who
became our favorite pet! I KNOW some of you remember him. He lived inside
the house but when he wanted out he would just peck on the sliding glass
door until someone opened it. He would do whatever crows do and then come
back and start his pecking again to come in. He liked to sit on the bar
that divided the kitchen from the family room. As my parents enjoyed a pre-dinner
cocktail, we have a snapshot (do they call them that anymore?) of Raffles
with his beak in the top of a bottle of "Old Crow" whiskey. It's
hilarious. My parents should have submitted that the the whiskey company
for advertisement! Raffles absolutely HATED Nyal Clayton for some reason
and would go after him whenever Raffles saw that old, blue Ford coming up
the driveway. It was very funny. Raffles also learned to talk but I won't
tell you some things he could say! Anyway - fast forward - I married a career
Army officer in 1972 and we moved around a lot - last station was Germany
when he assumed command of the base there. I have been very fortunate to
live in some of the garden spots of the world and even though the marriage
was a disaster I am happy to have had it. We had a daughter, Amy Allyn,
born in 1973 and she is a total delight. In 1987 Chris was killed in a motorcycle
accident and I lost Michael in 2007 to cirrhosis of the liver (yes, he was
alcoholic). They were terrible losses. Both boys were not only drop dead
gorgeous but sweet and kind and contributed much. Both served in the Armed
Forces. Chris was Army, Michael was Air Force. Michael had (has) two children:
Bobby, now 25 and Nikkie (Nicole) now 20 both living in the Buford - Flowery
Branch area. I have a great grandchild, Aubree, age 3 1/2 and another one
on the way. My Amy has a nine year old daughter, Kelsey (4th grade) and
a three year old son, Jack. They live only 6 miles away so I see them all
the time and provide free babysitting. Kelsey is a "star" soccer
player, on the swim team at the "Y", and plays the Cello in the
school orchestra. She is also a straight A student. She is my heart! I have
been single since 1984 and enjoy every minute of it. I am blessed to live
in a Cape Cod cottage in the middle of 50 wooded acres. Nothing around me
but cattle, deer, squirrels, birds, chipmunks, wild turkeys and, of course,
raccoons. I DO have a lot of crows (actually ravens). In spite of tragedy
(like everyone experiences) life is pretty darn good. Forgot to mention
the rest of my family. Mother died in 2001 of pancreatic cancer. After a
diagnosis in February she passed away in April. My brother, Mike, passed
away six weeks later of a massive stroke. "Jimmy" - now "Jim"
had been a career Army officer but after ten years and serving in Viet Nam,
he resigned as a Captain. He has been a high school teacher for many years
at Camden County High School in St. Marys, Georgia. His wife, Florence,
also teaches in the same school. Jim teaches American history and psychology
while Florence teaches journalism and English. I don't see them as often
as I like but I managed to get to Florida last November and they drove down
to spend some time with me. They are promising to come to Wisconsin this
year. Any and All of you are invited to come visit. I have a two-story with
two fireplaces so accommodations are available! Hope to see everyone at
a 50th reunion!!! Much love and Peace! Pat Sparks Friend
Marital Status: Divorced
Spouses: Bob League - met
in high school at Cross Keys in 1959. We were married until 1962. Married
Allen James Friend in 1972. He was a career Army officer and we met through
my "little" brother, Jim (who was also an Army officer in the same Battalion)
at a formal Army affair at Ft. Benning, GA. We were married until 1984.
Children: Amy Allyn Friend
Klug - Born December 1973. She is a housewife and the mother of two spectacular
children. Her husband is "Eric Klug" (pronounced KLOOG). HE IS JUST ABOUT
PERFECT! Amy graduated from Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo) in 1995
with a degree in sociology. She is athletic, playing tennis, running marathons,
and competitive biking. In high school and college she was involved in gymnastics.
She has been the president of the PTA at Kelsey's school for the past 2
years Her children are: Kelsey Amber, age 10, in the 5th grade and Jack
Christopher, age 4 and in pre-school. Kelsey is in the school orchestra,
playing the cello. She is a super soccer player, swimmer, and is in the
school drama club. Jack is pretty amazing! He loves anything Michael Jackson!
How does he even KNOW about the King of Pop?? He is a very animated child
and, in fact, and has an agent who is planning to use him for "print-work",
commercials and, hopefully, TV and the movies.
Grandchildren: Robert Jack
League - born 1986 (son of my oldest child, Jon Michael, now deceased).
Lives in Flowery Branch, Georgia and manages a vehicle detailing business.
Nicole League Dulaney - born in 1991 (daughter of my oldest son, Jon Michael,
now deceased). Lives in Buford, GA with husband, Kris Dulaney. Kris recently
returned from serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan). "Nikki" is the
mother of four-year-old Aubree and 6 month old, Addy. SO I have TWO great-grandchildren.
Siblings: Jim, my "little"
brother who was mostly obnoxious when I was in high school four years ahead
of him! He has been teaching high school American history and psychology
for the past 21 years in Camden County, GA.
Career: I have not worked
since 2001. Prior to that I was a self-taught administrative assistant (senior
secretary) always in the health care industry. I worked in hospitals and
dialysis centers for years.
Future: Play more Bridge
Religion: Episcopalian faith
Education: 2 years at Oglethorpe University
Health: Health has been a
bit shaky in 2011. Had a stroke in April and heart attack in July. I'm doing
well at the present time - TAKING MEDS!!! Have suffered with arthritis for
years - also have a bad back which my chiropractic doctor takes care of.
Travel: Oh, my goodness! I
have been all over the world - even visited Moscow, Russia back when it
was the USSR. London, Paris, Rome, Venice, Saltzburg, and many places in
Switzerland. Lived in West Germany (near Heidleburg) for years. I have travelled
and still travel quite a bit. I have friends in Palm Springs, CA. and one
of my best trips was visiting them last March. Also, have been fortunate
to meet many, many famous movie stars and sports figures. Even had Clint
Eastwood as a plane seatmate once!
Remain in Contact with: Billy
Hardin, Verene Stanley, Nyal Clayton, Doug Miller, Gerry Gust, Phyllis Edwards
and Red Stevens.
Most Memorable Teacher:
H.B. Trimble (English). Unfortunately, when I got around to calling him
to tell him just how much he had meant to me, I discovered he was deceased.
He was an incredible influence in my life.
Hobbies /Activities: Reading and Bridge.
Favorite Teams: Bears, Packers,
UGA Bulldogs.
Locations: Have lived in 14
states and Europe. I like every place I have ever lived but Wisconsin is
very, very special. Hope I stay here (but will be buried in Milledgeville,
Georgia next to Chris).
Started Tucker: 10th grade.
Favorite Subjects: French
and English.
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