Some History

I was born in Morrilton, Arkansas and lived at Fort  Hood, Texas, Fort Polk, LA, Hillcreek, AR, Idar Oberstein, Germany and Tulsa, OK during his early years - through Junior High.  We moved to Monroe, LA in 1963 and he graduated from Neville High School in July 1963.  I joined the Air Force in August 1963 and served at Lackland AFB, TX for basic training, Lowry AFB, CO for technical school as a Weapons Mechanic.  My first permanent assignment was Carswell AFB, TX, where I worked on B-52F models loading conventional and nuclear weapons.  In August of 1965, I was deployed to Anderson AFB, Guam as part of the first B-52 missions over South Viet Nam as part of operation Arc Lite One.  In June 1966 I was transferred to Bien Hoa AB, RVN, where I served with the 10th Fighter Commando Squadron, as a weapons mechanic with F-5 "Skoshi Tigers."

Returning to the CONUS in June 1967, I left the Air Force and worked in electroplating; LTV Aircraft plant, L & L Electroplating, Baker Mfg Co, Monroe Electroplating and Salem Electroplating, and sold Miracle Maid cookware at times.  In September 1972, I reenlisted in the Air Force and was assigned to Fairchild AFB, WA, where I worked on B-52G model as a Munitions Specialist (new name, same job).  I was TDY to Anderson AFB, Guam for several months in late 1972 and early 1973 as part of the Linebacker II operation of B-52 bombing of North Viet Nam.  Returning to Fairchild in March 1973, I was assigned to the Loading Standardization Crew, where he served until leaving Fairchild in 1975.  I married Debbie Beard in August 1974 and with her two children, we had a combined family of four.

In June 1975, I was assigned to Kadena AFB, Okinawa, working on F-4C, D, & RF, as a member of a Squadron Lead Crew and Squadron and Wing Loading Standardization Crew.  Returning from overseas to Eglin AFB in December 1978, I was assigned to an F-16 wing and served as the Technical Order NCO and Squadron Training NCO.  While at Eglin, our fifth child was born.  In March 1980, I received an assignment as an Air Force Recruiter in Walla Walla, WA, serving in that assignment until May 1982.  Leaving Recruiting duty due to a reduction in force, I was assigned retraining as a Base Career Advisor, where I served from 1983 to 1984 at Hill AFB, UT.; In 1984 to 1985 I was assigned to Kunsan AB, ROK. and returned to Mountain Home AFB, ID from in 1985.  During my tour at Mt. Home AFB, I retrained into personnel and served as the NCOIC of the Consolidated Base Personnel Office (CBPO), and retired from the Air Force July 1990.

I began seminary at the School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, TN in August 1990 (an Episcopal Church Seminary) and graduated in May 1993.  I worked for several months after graduation as the Interim Director of St. Mary's Retreat Center in Sewanee and then moved to Jamestown, NY in August 1993 to serve as the Curate for St. Luke's Episcopal Church.  I served at St. Luke's for five years, moving to Westfield, NY in August 1998 as the Rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church.  In August 2004, I moved to Las Vegas, NV and became Rector of All Saints' Episcopal Church, where I served until September 2009.  I am now retired from full time ministry and live in Olympia, Washington.

Our children live in Tennessee, Texas, and Washington and we have seven grandchildren; five girls and two boys; ranging in age (Oct 2009) from 22 years to 14 months. 

If our paths have crossed sometime, I'd like to hear from you.  Ed.