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| TC Tribute Page I know that the death of our classmates is heart hurting, so if you would like to give a written Tribute please send your words to the tcclass69@Aol.com address and I'll see that they get posted.
Fred Black married my dearest friend and roommate at Pi Phi, Sandy Suhren. Their wedding was held in Sandy’s home, New Orleans. For a week we celebrated in the French Quarter. As young married couples, we went to UK football games (Fred was the ultimate fan), to Columbia’s Steak House, and just had a lot of fun together. Fred was funny, outgoing, exuberant, off the wall, smart, strong, and cute. He and Fred Wachs could take turns telling jokes for hours. Their daughter Rachel and our son Kelly were born 6 months apart. By that time Fred was sick, but he continued to live life to the fullest. A couple of months after being in the hospital, you would see him on the golf course. I remember Kelly’s 2nd birthday party- the parents and kids came- the Ferrells and their son were there too. Fred was in a wheel chair by that time- but he was there. I also remember a cookout with a group of us. The guys took an hour to help Fred get into the pool. We carried on and just shared some good times. I can’t express enough how I admire my friend Sandy for how she handled these years. We were at church with them one Sunday and the minister came up to say hello. Fred asked the minister to lift his hand so he could shake hands with him. Fred Black is a one of a kind, and I look forward to seeing him again someday! Sandy Slone Coleman
Fred Black was always one of my favorite people. I really got to know him while we were working on the 10 year reunion. Fred was starting to become ill at that time but kept on going. He had a brain tumor. This monster eventually took over this big guy and it just about broke my heart. I would go to the hospital to visit him quite often. I remember one day I went, they had him in a burn bed to provide a means to keep him turned. When I arrived he was face down and "uncovered" to say the least. I took care of that teasing him saying I did not need to see THAT as soon as I walked in the door. He asked who was there that he was sick of looking at the floor all day. I decided enough was enough, dropped to the floor and slid under the bed so we could be face to face. I can still hear that sweet guy laughing.....uh, then his minister walked in. So what, I made him laugh and that was my main purpose. Rest in peace you big old teddy bear. We all miss you." Leigh Anne Wallace Weissmuller
Peggy Hall was my best friend in high school. In the past few years, her family has had to cope with the devastating blow of Peggy's murder and her husband being convicted of the crime. I'd like to share with you some of my memories of Peggy. I am an only child, so visiting Peggy's house was amazing to me- 8 children- all outgoing and talking at the same time. I loved the noise and excitement. She was very beautiful with a lot of class and style, and extremely funny. She worked at Meyer's department store during high school and later moved to New York City while a flight attendant. We doubled for the prom, borrowed each other's clothes, and modeled together for local stores. I went to UK and joined a sorority, and Peggy was an "honorary" member. Two Creekers were my little sisters at Pi Phi- Mary Beth Conrad and Barb Meyer, who I'm sure remember Peggy. She went to all our parties and dances. I visited her in New York and always brought along a friend. We spent New Year's Eve on Times Square and did all the tourist things. When I married another Creeker, Dave Pratt, in 1973, Peggy was my maid of honor. We remained close through the years and kept in contact. We both had children, and when she came to town we would get our little boys (Carlitos and Kelly) together to play. Those little boys are now 31! Peggy moved with her husband to Puerto Rico for a number of years, and although we kept in touch with cards, we did not see each other much. I remarried and did not hear from her for a while. I did not learn of Peggy's death until about a year after it happened and was devastated. It took me a long time to come to terms with something like this happening to her. I believe that she now rests in peace with God, and cherish the memories of our times together. Peggy has three beautiful children who must carry on without her, and I ask that you keep them and her entire family in your prayers. Sandy Slone Coleman
Hey Joe - I was surprised to get your friend request on FB. I have enjoyed reading the posts and just followed the link to the 1969 reunion! You were actually friends with my brother, Don. It was truly a blow to lose him. We lost my dad in 1990, then Don in 1997 and I lost my mom in 2004. It's really strange to be an 'only' child and carrying on the family. I sold our house on Glendover to Doug Walton, Roy's brother.
Reading through the reunion site was very bittersweet. Seeing lots of bios on Don's old friends was really nice. He would have loved going to the reunion! I think he did attend a reunion or two.
Don's wife, Suzanne remarried in 2004 to a very nice guy. He, too, was a widower. She is a school teacher in Harrodsburg and had his son in her class. He actually got them together through a parent teacher conference. He is a really nice guy and I am so glad they have found each other.
Don's two boys, Aaron and Seth would make him so proud. I have remained very close to all of them..
Aaron, the oldest (28) works at Hewett-Packard and is actually proposing to his girlfriend on the 4th of July. She is in medical school in Atlanta and is hoping to get her residency at UK in anesthesiology. She is a great girl.
Seth just graduated from EKU in sports journalism. Don would love to read his commentaries on sports, especially on UK! Seth is single and loving it! Lots of job possibilities but is narrowing the field.
I would almost like to go to your reunion as a fly on the wall - no one would know me but would feel like I was hanging with my big bro again!
Thanks for a real blast from the past! This note was sent by Don Lamar’s sister Carla Lamar Ray - - - - - - - We have invited her to attend the reunion. | |
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