I was reared by loving Christian parents in the small town of Middleton, Tennessee.  Upon high school graduation I attended MSU playing basketball for the Bulldogs.  After my college days I played in the NBA for 12 seasons living part-time in Starkville.  Since retirement in 1971, my wife Mary Lou and I have made the city a permanent home.  Being MSU graduates we chose familiar Starkville based upon the appeal of a small college town.  Central to this choice was the Lord's church.  Being blessed by this fellowship as a place to bring up three daughters and serve God has continued through the years.  I started serving as an elder in 1977.  After retiring a second time from Converse Shoe Company I have had time to play golf, tend our place on Autumn Woods, enjoy our seven grandchildren (and now great grandchildren), watch the Bulldogs play ball, and share life with the families of the Starkville congregation.