Cathy Skinner Lancaster

Anne was my big sister in our high school sorority. She was always so sweet and so much fun. One time we cut school (oh my gosh, don't tell my kids!) and went horse back riding in the snow. We were Bravehearts -what a great memory! (Well she really was the braver one. She covered for us - I was way too chicken.) I was so sad to hear Anne had left us.

Jim O'Dillon

I was in graduate school in Fort Worth, TX when I learned of Julius' death. It was another big shock! Julius had a eclectic sense of humor that included mild sarcasm. He always kept me laughing. Seems like I remember he and I also sharing July, 1952 birthdays, but I'm not so sure after all of these year. I also remember him from being in the band, too, and wish my heart-felt condolences to Michelle, his sister that was a couple of years old than Julius and me.

Jim O'Dillon

I was in graduate school in Fort Worth, TX when I learned of Randy Reid's death. It was a huge shock. I don't remember the details surrounding his death but know that even know I think of him often, most of the time thinking about him playing the tuba and laughing! :-)

Tommy Todd

I don't remember my early childhood without John Donahue being in it. John passed in the Summer of 1968, when a tie rod end on his 1956 Chevy broke on Gray Hwy. His car took an immediate left turn and was hit by Ms. Anne Bailey who taught many of us at Alexander III, including John's younger brother Terry. Unfortunately, John was thrown from the car and suffered fatal head and neck injuries. In addition to Terry, John was survived by an older sister, Janet, who attended MIller and by his wonderful Mother, Ms. Vee Donahue, one of the sweetest women I've ever known. John was a mischevious type. He was small in stature, but would fight you at the drop of a pin. He was virtually a straight A student and one of the brightest and most organized young people I ever knew. We played ball, built tree huts, camped out, played "ain't no boogers out tonight," and almost anything else you could do as poor kids growing up in Cross Keys. I cried the day John died. I had no idea how much he meant to me until he was gone. It was my first real encounter with mortality. Terry and I remain friends to this day. Unfortunately, Ms. Vee passed away a couple years back, but I got a chance to spend abpout half a day with her and talk about John, Cross Keys and other memories. God Bless you John. Your little brother has grown into a very fine family man and is a legacy to you and all you taught him. Miss you Buddy.

Jim Bower

Darby was what we all called him. I know his name was Edward, but somehow Darby fit better. Its what he preferred.I don't know the circumstances of his passing, but I was surprised when I started tracking down some of our old group. Darby was a good friend. He was a very mischievious boy, as we all were. Not to say he was a bad guy. But with Darby, you never knew what would happen. He was impulsive and a lot of fun, whether it be riding around town or hanging out at the Varsity. I could always count on Darby backing me up in a bad situation. I hate that he and I can't get together and recount adventures and exploits of the past. He talked me into buying an electric guitar at a music store downtown once. I couldn't even play guitar at the time. But Darby said, "who cares if you can't play it. Just carry it around with you. Know one will ever know and the girls will love it." THAT was Darby. I miss him.

Melton Strozier

Dennis was a brilliant classmate and a gifted person. After Mark Smith he went on to Georgia Tech where he completed college and then all the work for a double Ph.D. in Physics and Electrical Engineering. He had a dream that he could use technology to help make the world a better place. He was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Atlanta in the late 70's as he was driving his scooter back from teaching a class at Tech. We will never know what a better place the world would have been had Dennis lived. He had no children but he left a very loving wife, Diane, who also attended Lassiter and then Tech. After Dennis' death the good souls at GA Tech let Diane walk in the graduation ceremony Dennis was supposed to have walked in - she wore his robes and was awarded his Ph.D. posthumously.

Dale Hamilton

August 9, 1953 ~ April 4, 2004

He was a great friend and so well liked by all who knew him. I played little league baseball with Dicky and would spend the night at his home over by Drake Field on Peachtree Street. We had many a wild adventure through our grammar and high school years. We worked together right before his death and I cherish the memories we shared together, he was one of a kind. He loved his grandson and dedicated the last years of his life to the young boy. He is missed by his family and friends.

Jim Mitchell

I learned of Ricky's passing at one of our reunions... Many of you may have had the privilege to have known him as an adult, I only knew him through high school.

He was a great guy and very amiable. I heard he became an insurance adjuster, a profession that his congenial personality and honest air would have fit very well.

I still remember him wearing his glasses with a sports band to hold them tight to his head. He had very good eye to hand co-ordination an excelled at all sports.

One memory that sticks out to me was during PE in the 0th or 11th grade. Someone was making fun of the way one of the clumsy nerds (yes we had nerds back then too) was running sprints. Ricky turned to them and said, "He's getting there ain't he?" End of conversation.

Ricky, I consider you a class act!!

Sincerely,


Jim Mitchell
410 703-9208

Denise Parks

Chris died during rush season in 9th grade. He thrilled me when he gave me his friendship ring in the 6th grade by passing it across the aisles in a "love" note in Ms. Mullis's class at J.E. Hall. Chris was my first date to a "real fraternity dance" in the 8th grade. He was such a great person, sweet, very very kind and handsome :) I'll never forget him. Only the good die young...

John Kitchens

As many of you know Woodrow or "Woody" as he was known to us, and I were very good friends. Our frienship began when I was in the 6th grade at Fort Hawkins. I carried over into Jr. High and then to Mark Smith and then into our adult lives. Even though in Oct of 1979 he moved from Macon to Raliegh, N.C. and in Febuary of 1980 I moved to Duluth, Ga. we still kept in contact. There was nothing I would not have done for him and nothing he would not have done for me. From the 6th grade till his passing several years back at the age of 59 there never has been a cross word between us. The writer of Proverbs says "a friends sticks closer than a brother." Woody was closer than a brother and I honor him on this page.