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After high school, I went to University of Louisiana
Lafayette for one year, then into the Army, after which I
went to Barber College. I became a Master Barber. Later on
I became a Master ASE HD (heavy duty) mechanic.
My wife of 35 years is Derris Alone
Gage. I was living in New Orleans and working as a
barber when I met Dorris. We met at Mid-City Baptist Church
in New Orleans. When I showed up that day a friend pointed
at a young lady and told me, “there is a real nice girl over
there, go get her.”
It worked. She has a Masters in
Religious Education, and worked as a schoolteacher for 30
years. She has taught Sunday School children classes for
fifty years.
My professional achievements: I
made it to retirement.
My parents - Willard and Dora
Gage are both deceased. My father worked in gasoline plants
and in oilfields. My mother was a housewife and
schoolteacher.
We have two children, and one
grandchild who is a redheaded girl. To God be the Glory!
Our leisure activities revolve
around our children, our granddaughter, our church and
working around the house. I am no longer working. When
Dora retired, I got jealous and followed suit.
Major events after BHS: 1) the
Lord Jesus saved me, 2) I got married and stayed that way.
3) One girl, one boy, one grandchild. Having a lasting
marriage of 35 years.
The things I recall about BHS is
that the people of your youth become embedded in your
mind. The memories of the old are not as lasting as the
memories of the young.
Summarizing the last 50 years:
When I left high school I went to college for a year. Then
the Army got me. They sent me to France for 1-½ years.
After the Army, I went to barber school. I loved
barbering. It’s the best occupation I ever had, but I quit
for a job with benefits and retirement. I worked for
Greyhound for 13 ½ years. I came to Baton Rouge with a car
hauler, and they went out of business after two years. I
job-hopped for several years, and then I went to work for
the Baton Rouge, Louisiana School Board. Twenty-two of us
took care of 700 school buses.
Pertinent information about Bunkie
High School: my hair is not as a thick as it was. My
eyes don’t see as good. My ears don’t hear as well. My
nose doesn’t smell as good. My muscles are flabby and my
feet are sore, “Praise the Lord,” I am in better shape than
most my age.
Our hopes for the future are to
stay physically active until the day we die. We enjoy
watching our children and our grandchild grow and learn. We
don’t anticipate any changes, believing we should leave well
enough alone - if it works, don’t change it.
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