James L Ward III

To say Carol will be missed is a huge understatement for me. Carol and my love story goes back to the summer of 1965 when we were in training to be the cheerleading squad for our upcoming senior year. Carol was the Head Song Girl, and l was one of the three guy cheerleaders. We had so much fun together. While my senior year interests were centered on being with Carol, doing my best at cheerleading, cars and surfing, Carol was devoted to leading the Song Girls, her studies, the school newspaper, and being the world's greatest Dodger fan every chance she got. Needless to say she wasn't too happy with my inattention to my studies and I would get reprimanded when I did too much partying. But, despite my behavior Carol was always there for me, and with me. I was, and still am a terrible dancer. Carol was a phenomenal dancer but she never made fun of me and we danced anyway all through our SPHS '66 year right on through graduation. 

We went our separate ways in 1968, and with the exception of a few chance encounters we were not to be with oneanother again for 39 years. In 2007 we were reunited and for the past 16 years we have shared a unique and serious love affair that took us many places and bound us together as never before. It would take volumes to describe these 16 years. Two events stand out the most... In spring of 2007 we went to Field Dreams in Iowa. We got to play catch together on that sacred field, sat in the stands and realized our own Dream was coming true. While at her office at Zemrus Escrow in Pasadena in July of 2010 she was listening to her radio when the station announced their contest, "...Tell us your own personal Love Story for a chance to win tickets to the James Taylor/Carol KIng Reunion Tour Concert at Honda Center in Anahiem..."  Carol called in to that radio station and told them our Love Story !! She won !! What a night that was, July 10, 2010 - our own private limo ride to and from the concert, front row seats, and an amazing performance by two of the most legendary singers/songwriters of all time. 

In closing I want to let Carol's own words speak again. This is what she wrote in 2007:

"What's a Girl To Do?

The Life of reason lies in shambles at my feet, leaving me no place and nowhere to make a retreat. Forward I must move, beyond my fears and mental roadblocks. Love, with such beauty and promise lies ahead within my reach. Do I dare gather it up and hold it close? My heart tells me it will never be happy unless I get on that merry-go-round and take the chance that only comes once in a lifetime - The brass ring... the beat of my heart pounds in my ears - Listen! Listen! "

We rode some carousels together. I can see her still smiling back at me from the pony in front of me. I miss her smile, her joy for life, her love for her Islands home, and all those she loved.

As a veteran of all manner of wars I can say this...I curse the gawd damned incideous Alzheimers that took her from us way too soon. But, more than anything now, I praise God that she has been released from the grasp of the illness and is in Heavenly peace, surrounded by Infinite Love. 

Aloha and farewell to my dear Carol. I will carry the years, the decades of love we shared and all the wonderful memories thereof, in my heart and spirit forever. We shall meet again someday and we will dance again. 

To say Carol will be missed is a huge understatement for me. Carol and my love story goes back to the summer of 1965 when we were in training to be part of the cheerleading squad for our upcoming senior year. Carol was the Head Song Girl, and l was one of the three guy cheerleaders. We had so much fun together. While my senior year interests were centered on being with Carol, doing my best at cheerleading, cars and surfing, Carol was devoted to leading the Song Girls, her studies, the school newspaper, and being the world's greatest Dodger fan every chance she got. Needless to say she wasn't too happy with my inattention to my studies and I would get reprimanded when I did too much partying. But, despite my behavior Carol was always there for me, and with me. I was, and still am a terrible dancer. Carol was a phenomenal dancer but she never made fun of me and we danced anyway all through our SPHS '66 year right on through graduation. 

We went our separate ways in 1968, and with the exception of a few chance encounters we were not to be with oneanother again for 39 years. In 2007 we were reunited and for the past 16 years we have shared a unique and serious love affair that took us many places and bound us together as never before. It would take volumes to describe these 16 years. Two events stand out the most... In spring of 2007 we went to Field of Dreams in Iowa. We got to play catch together on that sacred field, sat in the stands and realized our own Dream was coming true. While at her office at Zemrus Escrow in Pasadena in July of 2010 she was listening to her radio when the station announced their contest, "...Tell us your own personal Love Story for a chance to win tickets to the James Taylor/Carol KIng Reunion Tour Concert at Honda Center in Anahiem..."  Carol called in to that radio station and told them our Love Story !! She won !! What a night that was, July 10, 2010 - our own private limo ride to and from the concert, front row seats, and an amazing performance by two of the most legendary singers/songwriters of all time. 

In closing I want to let Carol's own words speak again. This is what she wrote in 2007:

"What's a Girl To Do?

The Life of reason lies in shambles at my feet, leaving me no place and nowhere to make a retreat. Forward I must move, beyond my fears and mental roadblocks. Love, with such beauty and promise lies ahead within my reach. Do I dare gather it up and hold it close? My heart tells me it will never be happy unless I get on that merry-go-round and take the chance that only comes once in a lifetime - The brass ring... the beat of my heart pounds in my ears - Listen! Listen! "

We rode some carousels together. I can see her still smiling back at me from the pony in front of me. I miss her smile, her joy for life, her love for her Islands home, and all those she loved.

As a veteran of all manner of wars I can say this...I curse the gawd damned incideous Alzheimers that took her from us way too soon. But, more than anything now, I praise God that she has been released from the grasp of the illness and is in Heavenly peace, surrounded by Infinite Love. 

Aloha and farewell to my dear Carol. I will carry the years, the decades of love we shared and all the wonderful memories thereof, in my heart and spirit forever. We shall meet again someday and we will dance again. 

To say Carol will be missed is a huge understatement for me. Carol and my love story goes back to the summer of 1965 when we were in training to be part of the cheerleading squad for our upcoming senior year. Carol was the Head Song Girl, and l was one of the three guy cheerleaders. We had so much fun together. While my senior year interests were centered on being with Carol, doing my best at cheerleading, cars and surfing, Carol was devoted to leading the Song Girls, her studies, the school newspaper, and being the world's greatest Dodger fan every chance she got. Needless to say she wasn't too happy with my inattention to my studies and I would get reprimanded when I did too much partying. But, despite my behavior Carol was always there for me, and with me. I was, and still am a terrible dancer. Carol was a phenomenal dancer but she never made fun of me and we danced anyway all through our SPHS '66 year right on through graduation. 

We went our separate ways in 1968, and with the exception of a few chance encounters we were not to be with oneanother again for 39 years. In 2007 we were reunited and for the past 16 years we have shared a unique and serious love affair that took us many places and bound us together as never before. It would take volumes to describe these 16 years. Two events stand out the most... In spring of 2007 we went to Field of Dreams in Iowa. We got to play catch together on that sacred field, sat in the stands and realized our own Dream was coming true. While in her office at Zemrus Escrow in Pasadena on a day in July of 2010 she was listening to her radio when the station announced their contest, "...Tell us your own personal Love Story for a chance to win tickets to the James Taylor/Carole KIng Reunion Tour Concert at Honda Center in Anahiem..."  Carol called in to that radio station and told them our Love Story !! She won !! What a night that was, July 10, 2010 - our own private limo ride to and from the concert, front row seats, and an amazing performance by two of the most legendary singers/songwriters of all time. 

In closing I want to let Carol's own words speak again. This is what she wrote in 2007:

"What's a Girl To Do?

The Life of reason lies in shambles at my feet, leaving me no place and nowhere to make a retreat. Forward I must move, beyond my fears and mental roadblocks. Love, with such beauty and promise lies ahead within my reach. Do I dare gather it up and hold it close? My heart tells me it will never be happy unless I get on that merry-go-round and take the chance that only comes once in a lifetime - The brass ring... the beat of my heart pounds in my ears - Listen! Listen! "

We rode some carousels together. I can see her still smiling back at me from the pony in front of me. I miss her smile, her joy for life, her love for her Islands home, and all those she loved.

As a veteran of all manner of wars I can say this...I curse the gawd damned incideous Alzheimers that took her from us way too soon. But, more than anything now, I praise God that she has been released from the grasp of the illness and is in Heavenly peace, surrounded by Infinite Love. 

Aloha and farewell to my dear Carol. I will carry the years, the decades of love we shared and all the wonderful memories thereof, in my heart and spirit forever. We shall meet again someday and we will dance again. 

I'm so sorry and shocked to hear of the passing of my old best friend, Larry Porter. Although we have been separated by a lot of miles and years, Larry has held, and will always hold a forever place in my heart and spirit. From the first day I landed at Marengo in 6th grade Larry and I became fast friends. In the years that followed we did everything together - Troop 366, Oneonta Congregational Church, choir and youth group, and so much more. Wherever Larry was I was right there with him; always into mischief, skateboarding all over town, "hoppin' the train" next to the junior high school, hiking and backpacking with Scouts in the Sierras. If Larry got poison oak I got poison oak. When Larry busted his arm skateboarding I cradled his arm as we limped back to his house and on to the ER. I could keep up with him most of the time, but in track he out-distanced me because I was a middle distance guy and Larry really excelled in the long distance races. And, surfing, Wow! The bigger the waves, all the better for Larry. He was fearless in big surf and loved the ocean. I can still see him to this day, glued to his board, getting ride after ride on overhead waves at breaks like Killer Dana, Brooks Street, Refugio and more. He claimed fame in big contest surf at Cornwall, England in the summer of '66. He sent me a postcard telling me he'd borrowed a board to get in that contest and then took first place! I am so sorry, my friend, that we have lost you, but I know you are joyously riding even bigger surf now with your heavenly hosts. My sympathy and prayers go out to Mickey, Carol, Larry's sons, and his extended family and friends. If any family member or friends wish to reach out I can be reached at 208-301-8820. Blessings to all. 

One year after losing my friend and fellow Troop 366 scout member, Robert Doten, my ship, the USS Mobile LKA-115, could be found plying the waters for weeks at a time off the coast of VietNam awaiting orders to land our 300 Marines in combat. Those orders never came. We were so fortunate that our many days spent in "General Quarters" battle ready did not produce any casualities. Our safe homecoming to San Diego later that year was the greatest day of my life. I visited The Wall many years later - one of the most bitter-sweet moments of my life. I placed my trembling hand on my friend and fellow vet, Bob's name etched thereon, and I wept openly, at length, and without shame. I shall never forget him. Why must it be that war always takes the lives of our very best and brightest, like Bobby Doten? I shall never forget the many joyous days we shared together out on the track and on the trails of our youth.