MEMORIES

Written by:
Alex Woodard
First cousin, lifelong friend

A life long friend. Our Moms, both now gone, were sisters. Tom was five months older. We were war babies and lucky to have strong family ties through all the years.

Tom and I grew up like brothers. My thoughts are hard to confine and range from playing as five year olds at the Crosby apartment in Belmont Shore, hanging out at the home by the lagoon on Orlena, to the visit with his sons at his home today in Tustin. Our times together and the shared experiences are just too many to put into words.

We attended Lowell Elementary, Rogers Jr High, Wilson High School... then both went on to Stanford University. He followed an illustrious legal career; mine was in business. We each have a wonderful family. And both retired in 2001. A similar walk through life...

He was always a good artist - I remember his sketches of war planes and ships when he was only 9 or 10. In those days - and a long time after, he wanted to be a sports columnist. Would have been a great one! I remember his love of sports and ambition to be excel in athletics. He loved baseball, golf and following the progress of the Stanford teams. We talked about sports a lot - we played some golf - but not enough.

Tom and I graduated together: we took a freighter to Europe at age 18; we drove off to college one morning; he took me to the airport for the funeral of my Father; he answered the call for help from my Mom after her stroke and probably gave her 10 more years of life by getting medical help quickly; he was there when I needed him. I only hope I was there enough for him.

The last time I saw Tom was at our 40th college reunion in Palo Alto. The last time I talked with him was just before Christmas - he made the comment then that "getting old was not for sissies" - I only wish we could have done that together too.

Now... when I look down the fairways... I will remember a great friend and try to laugh.

Alex Woodard
Blaine, Washington

<back