In Memory....

"MEMORIES" by Jerry Millard

In October of 1997 Pat and I were rumbling around Florida looking for trouble and found it. We got in touch with Jo Amundson Montilla, Russ Wood and Gary Leach and their spouses so we all cleaned up our acts and went out to eat. It was a fantastic evening remembered by all. The four 56ers who were living in Florida for years and within 60 miles of each other had never gotten in touch with each other due to careers and family obligations. We had alot of laughs and discussed many memories of school and Clear Lake.

The one main thing three of us noticed was the physical condition of Gary. He was probably around 6'2" and at that time weighed about 120 pounds and was struggling to breath even with his oxygen tank that he always had with him. Even though I went to the same church activities as Gary and in the same class at school I never really knew him. Pat and I were really bothered with his health and several times he indicated all he was doing was waiting to die. By the time we got back to Clear Lake after that trip we knew we should try to do something to help him at least mentally.

I think it was about Christmas time in '97 that we mailed letters and pictures to all of the 56ers and asked them to touch base with Gary and Jean over the holidays and from a phone call from Gary one day we had to laugh because they must have received many cards and letters from a very special group.

Over the 4th of July weekend in 1998 the first rumble took place in Clear Lake with about 75 classmates and spouses in and out of the house for three days with Gary and Jean being the guests of honor. Over the next 5 years they were able to attend a rumble at Norm & Judi White Hansen's house in California and several more rumbles in Clear Lake which Gary would constantly talk about until the next rumble. Over the last couple years of his life he started to slow down but admitted he had many fantastic memories from the classmates.

There were two things many of us asked for his help on, his knowledge of computers and his unbelieveable information on the medical questions. Many times I would call him day or night to say my computer was out in left field and I happened to be sitting in the dugout and it would not take him long to figure the problems out. I always was amazed at how he would answer medical questions from many of the 56ers and was usually right on the money. I guess I did not appreciate his vast knowledge until April of '04 when I was told that I had lung cancer and may have as little as 90 days to get my house in order. Talk about miracles, I layed all of my thoughts on Leach and he carried me mentally right along with his problems and gave me more strength to go on than I could ever have done myself. After lung surgery at Mayo Clinic in May of '04 I had a terrible summer doing Chemo and Radiation but always knew when I got home from my daily treatments for 8 weeks there would be an email from Mr. Leach full of encouragement but nothing about his problems.

On December 17, 2004, I went to Mason City for my first six months CT Scan which tells the Drs. if my surgery was successful and if there were any signs of the cancer in my body. I got the best news of my life that morning when the Drs. told me there was not a sign of the cancer but I would be doing CT Scans every six months for 5 years. That day would also have been my Dad's birthday so I was so excited to get home and call Gary and tell him my great news. Before calling, I read the first email on my computer and was informed that Gary was called home that morning and I did not get a chance to tell him my news and say Thanks... I do know that he got the news anyway and is cheering for me.

As I used to tell him: Love you Bud and Thanks...