Antoinette and Eric

My son (Buddy) as your sister affectionately calls you, has been my inspiration and someone that I admire. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to be in your life. I was the first person to gaze into your eyes! Delivering you was the greatest gift a father could ever experience. You have the heart of a Lion and the spirit of a Saint. I’m so proud of the man that you have become. I love you son and your mother would be proud of you and your accomplishments.

Friend and Spec! You have been the one constant voice of reason in my life. Nearly forty years ago, you brought me into our beloved fraternity with the true understanding of Friendship. Your encouraging words “Live Your Life” and “You Were Built for This”, has and will forever be etched in my soul! You are a man of high Integrity deepened in Faith and guided by a Moral Compass. Y-towns favorite son…… Nitty!

My Fraternity Brother, Line Brother and dear friend. You’re a true testament of what manhood is really about. You have always demonstrated the highest degree of integrity, honesty and commitment to family. And it’s nice to have a golfing partner in Georgia!

Herb, I’m so grateful to call you my brother-in-law! From the very first time we met, I knew we would always be connected. You are a kind and giving person with a “BIG HEART “. You have always made me feel like family and that I had another brother. Thank you for blessing my relationship with Antoinette.

Kat Man (as daddy affectionately called you). You are my 2nd oldest brother that I’ve always looked up too. You taught me how to ride a bike and drive a 4-speed stick shift automobile. Boy do I remember stripping your gears! Your pursuit to achieve higher education and earning a Doctorate Degree is a true example of leadership. I’m so proud to call you my brother. Thank you for paving the foundation for me to follow.

We have been friends for 30 plus years. We share so many things in common with each other! Our children grew up together attending the same elementary and catholic high school in the Dayton Metropolitan Area. You have been the kind of friend that goes out of their way to help give prudent advice to my children (when needed) and never ask for anything in return. Gary, you’re a wonderful, authentic, inspirational father and grandfather. Please don’t ever change!

Fowler, I consider you to be my big brother, golfing brother and my fraternity brother. You are a highly principled man that governs himself on “What is the ethical thing to do”. Because you are an ex-military officer, you pride yourself on TEAM FIRST! Your educational experience speaks for itself. Anyone who has been around you understands you are a no-nonsense person. Your commitment to excellence is who you are. When I was coaching AAU basketball, you provided me with a gym to coach my kids and took the time to talk to them about life-after-basketball. I’m so grateful to have you as a friend!

Scottie, my little brother (alias the fly chef) whom I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for 20 years. You are a very outspoken person with a zest for curiosity. You don’t hesitate to speak your mind! Yet, you are a giver in life. Always looking to discover the good in people and to look for relationships that add value. I’ll always remember walking the college hallways and you impromptu stopping me to lecture to your students about entrepreneurship! Thank you for trusting in me to provide them with the right information. And thank you Scottie for being you!

With the exception of my immediate family, I’ve known you for 47 years. Not many people can say that their childhood friend they grew up with has remained an intricate part of their life. I’m proud to say …… we have that kind of relationship! A relationship that goes back to wearing each other’s clothes. Your parents and grandparents were my surrogate parents that treated me like their own. I will always remember your father referring to us as “Funk & Double Funk”. Thank you for helping me transition to the great state of Georgia.

Charles (better known as CC) wow, we have been through a lot! Raising our Children, Graduation’s, Father Daughter Dances, Private Schools, College Husbands and even laying hard wood flooring together! You have always supported me. And when life took an unexpected detour, you were that constant friend that I could talk to and just listen. Always optimistic and providing words of encouragement. You understood your position in my life and the valuable meaning to friendship. I’ve never taken our friendship for granted because you are the kind of person that God has assigned in my life.

My brother and native New Yorker (Hap). If there is one word to define us, it’s School Daze! Whenever we get together, we find ourselves talking about those college days that really defined who we were and who we are! We have 42 years of sharing our families, fraternity and grandchildren. I recall the most impactful words Simone said to me concerning your “young marriage”. I have never forgotten how kind and meaningful she was to me! That was nearly 40 years ago. My how time flies! The Lord has been truly good to us!