Tuesday, June 24, 2025
I grew up from the time I was five next to the Kinnairds and was always friends with all of them at different time. I have so many memories to share of our neighborhood adventures and getting into mischief. James and I did so many things together growing up. We would spend hours out at Bussey Brake, fishing and camping. Later James would get a Harley Sprint H. It was a few steps under the big bikes but still fun. One Fall we rode double on his motorcycle out to Bussy carrying two shot guns, with the intention of killing some ducks. We looked all over and finally came to the south end. We climbed the side of the levee carefully to the top and charged over the top and surprised three ducks. We set guns a blazing and shot all three. Problem was , the wind was blowing them out. Away from the bank. What to do now. It was a cold day and I suggested that I strip down to underwear and swim out to fetch them. He thought that was a great idea, of course. Long story short, I was able to get to the ducks which turned out to be Coots. Not too happy, but a great memory.
James loved cars an early on built model cars. He spent a lot of time building a wall hung display with individual shelves and sliding glass panels on the front. It was mounted on their bedroom wall. It was filled up with beautiful models. I always thought it was so cool. When we were in high school we loved to go to the drag races in Monroe or the dirt track races. He later bought an older model Ford and panted it metal flake Chartreuse it had a 406 cu in motor and he was so proud of it. We burned up the road in that thing.
In those early formative years , James and I had wonderful times doing what young boys loved to do. Many adventurers with car stuff and fishing! So sorry to have lost him. His memory will always find a special place in my heart.
