It was a pleasure for Dorothy and I to have the opportunity to visit with you and the gang on Thursday.  I know that you might not have been feeling as well as you would have liked, but you were the same as always.  A gracious host and mindful friend.

After leaving I had the opportunity to start reflecting on what our friendship has meant to me.  It is very difficult , if not impossible , to remember when we werent connected by this friendship.  It has been at least 65 years and that is a long time in anybodys books.

I relived all the rides we made together on Hwy 80 and Eddy street in the Plymouth.  I relived all the times we sat at Al’s Burger Bar watching the people circling.  I relived all the good times and laughs that we had.  There were so many that it boggles the mind.  We were so fortunate to have grown up in a small town with so many people that are still our friends to this day.  I only know a very few people who have that kind of experience and they are all people who have something extra,  a feeling that you get about them that makes you know that they are good people and thoughtful people.

When Dorothy and I decided to make the move to Lubbock in 1969 for me to continue my quest for a degree, it was none other than my buddy David who saved the day.  When I called you that day and advised that we had moved and you asked when I could start work, well, you cannot imagine the relief that I felt in hearing that question.  The thought of looking for a job was way more scary than trying to make grades at Tech.  You provided me the opportunity to work in a very nice place, meet very nice people and certainly made my life as easy as possible for the years we worked there at W. D. Wilkins.  For that, I thank you.  It was a show of friendship that I didnt expect but have never forgotten.

Again, I thank you for being my friend.  Our families have been entwined for so many years that our relationship may surpass that of mere friendship, but friendship is good enough for me.

I love you David.

Gary Homer