Lancers, please write your memories below. Below are a few Larry and Bill had: BILL: I remember many a round ball game on our dirt court with friends that would stop by, the wood pole that held up the hoop and getting thrown into it; and of course the day Dad put it up because I was bound and determined to make the Wilshire 7th grade team. That dirt/grass court really developed the dribbling skills and of course the long range jumper over the branch and around the laundry line. I was always so impressed that he was willing to sacrifice his beautiful lawn he liked to maintain for that court. LARRY: Later in life, when my son Danny wanted to pave our gravel driveway to make dribbling easier, I referred often to my brother's basketball skills learned on a lawn (actually, I think the sod eventually compacted as hard as pavement). And remember the board nailed to the post that allowed us to jump higher? I still can't even touch the net. On the SHHS custom of “papering houses and yards”: BILL: Many use to honk their horns and the ultimate compliment was how many times Dad had me out on Saturday a.m.'s cleaning the TP off the sycamore tree. By then I don't think he carried the switch he never used, but the message was there...I was to handle this or else. He certainly wasn't cleaning the TP off the trees. LARRY: My friends referred to Dad as "Mortz" and Mom as "Nurse Jane" (she did well with the Band-Aids). Barry Paulk used to honk his horn whenever he passed our house in Fullerton and I think once or twice in Newport Beach. Whenever Mom heard a horn honk outside either house, she'd say "There goes Barry". She very well could still be doing that. I agree with the June and Ward comparison, but they were even cooler. BILL: Yeah, mom was great with the Band Aids
I share your grief and honor Mortz, for the great dad and friend he was to all of us. I spent many days on the dirt court in the backyard on Valley View, but the memory of bouncing the ball off Butts' head stands out. That and good ol' wonderful Mortz with his vintage T-Bird, which Larry and I ruined with our first wax job. Even then, it cost Mortz (who was pretty frugal) about $200.00 to repaint the car.
I also remember Nurse Jane preparing hot chocolate after one of the SHHS dances. Can you imagine kids today having hot chocolate at an after-party??? Yeah, they were Ozzie and Harriet. They put up with alot, raising Larry and Bill and putting up with me, Jim B., Ron Wise, Barry, et al.
I consider myself blessed to have hung out with such great friends, with great parents who supported us, hung with us, through thick and thin.
Mortz--you are a great dad and friend and know you were respected and loved.
Don