Lest We Forget |
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Terry's Last Reflections On His Life From An E-Mail He Sent A Month Before He Died Tommy, I'm sorry that I missed the e-mail meeting yesterday, but after all it WAS my birthday! I finally reached the magic age of 42 and I still feel great. What? What? Who says? Jan is really keeping me young! And so is the Pacific Ocean, the beach, palm trees, sunshine 360 days out of the year, San Diego, Las Vegas, music, writing, and staying in touch with the greatest group of classmates in the world. But let me give the credit to where it really belongs - I feel great and still have my life and health because of the grace and kindness of Almighty God, and his exalted Son and my Lord Jesus Christ. I marvel that He gives us so much in this life, and yet we still go on to an infinitely better situation when we leave it! Awesome! As we approach the Thanksgiving season I am once again counting my blessings. And I'm not overly concerned about whether my glass is half empty or half full. The glass is simply twice as big as it has to be for the present quantity, but has lots of room for more to be added! And everydrop of life therein is sweet and delicious! I am really looking forward to continuing my association with all of you....I have genuinely enjoyed your contributions to our little on-line newspaper. It has been special, and it has been fun. Thanks to all, and have a great day! I gotta go to the beach now. Terry 'Moses' Preston - Written November 13, 2002 __________________________________________________ |
A Tribute To Terry by Jim McBride Class of '65 It's Sunday night, December 15th, and I can hardly see the keyboard for the tears in my eyes. My heart is breaking. I lost a friend yesterday. I''ve got a lot of friends but this one was special. Before there was a Lee Junior High School there was a Rison-Lincoln Little League baseball team.That's where I met several of my future classmates including a feisty little shortstop named Terry Lee Preston. Terry was a Lincoln Mill Village boy and I was a Dallas Mill Village boy. The love of baseball brought us together .After that summer the L&N train track that ran between the two mills and our two villages was no longer a line not to be crossed by rivals. It was just a train track.Where a Lincoln kid and a Dallas kid "rocked" the trains together after waving politely to the engineer. Where we slid on pieces of cardboard down the banks beside it until the "sleds" were tattered and our knees were bloody. We carried papers together, we climbed the fence at Woody's Drive In to watch those plotless French movies. We sat there by a speaker on the dew covered ground hoping to see something we weren't supposed to see at our young age. The story line never mattered. What mattered was being with my buddy. We played a lot of baseball together, at Lee,in summer leagues and in my back yard. I really missed him my senior year,1965, but we reconnected later in the Alabama National Guard. Through the years we would lose touch for a while and then something would bring us together again. Terry once came and preached at the church I attended. That's right, Tee was a minister for awhile. I can't say I was surprised. Nothing he did surprised me. Not after he went skinny dippin' in the Big Spring Lagoon late one night after an out of town baseball game. His zest for life was undiminished until the end. God's got a real "live wire" on his hands tonight.Tee loved music and he had a real talent for writing songs, poems and articles. He was never shy one minute of his life and I admired that. Our lives took so many similar twists and turns. Some we laughed about and some we cried about. I thank God for the time I got to spend with him in California and in Nashville this past year. I'm happy that I have pictures of us on the beach in San Juan Capistrano. Getting blistered playing guitar and singing. Pictures of us on the hill at Pepperdine University watching the whales frolick in the Pacific below. Pictures of him in my writing room here at home, playing and singing.Pictures of a picnic in Centennial Park. I was going to call him tonight.God I wish I could. We talked via internet last week and I told him the coming year was going to be his best year ever. He was happy and hopeful. Same ole Tee Years ago, the group Alabama recorded a song of mine that Terry loved. He knew the line in the song about "good ole boys down at the park" was written about him especially. I always had to sing it for him when we were together. If it's not asking too much I'd like to end this tribute with the lyrics to that song. I talked to Jan tonight. I wish she could have put Tee on the line. Adios my friend. Fare Thee well "Moses". I love you. I hope to see you in the other Promised Land. "DIXIE BOY'" I was raised in the shadow of an old cotton mill Back when believin' was the style Small town heaven and a big eyed boy Made sweet music for awhile My Daddy worked hard down at the factory Nights he went to G.I. School Didn't know nothin' 'bout a silver spoon But he lived by the Golden Rule Summer nights he was gone Me and Momma stayed home Out on the front porch swing Wishin' on the stars in the southern sky And sometimes we used to sing CHORUS: And we were leanin', leanin' on The everlasting arms of love Livin' all the simple joys This Dixie Boy is made of Got my real education from the t.v. station And good ole boys down at the park Then "Say Hey" Willie and those rockabillies Played their way into my heart I remember the old folks sittin' 'round talkin' On laid back Sunday afternoons They said them young folk sure got a hard road Ah they're growin' up too soon Now I know they were right And as sit here tonight Out on the front porch swing The stars are shinin' in my young boy's eyes Just like they did for me And we are leanin', leanin' on The everlasting arms of love Livin' all the simple joys This Dixie Boy is made of Jim McBride Copyright 1983 April Music _________________________________________________ |
Terry Finally Got His Call by Tommy Towery His Friend Terry finally got his call, to the major league at last He's headed up to play baseball with his heroes of the past Ted Williams has been waiting for him, to toss the ball around And Mickey could hardly wait, for a friend to take to town He's always talked and bragged about the team of Sixty-One How they went undefeated that year and how they had great fun Though the Angels team he'll play for, is not a team like that I know he'll fit right in with them, with his uniform, glove, and bat The Big Scout up in the sky, has been watching him all along And waiting for just the right time, to get him on the phone He's let him grow and have his fun, during all this time down here But the time had finally come at last, to hear the heavens cheer 'Cause I know there is no better player, in Heaven or on earth And this is something he's been waiting for, since the moment of his birth He's practiced hard and played the game, the way he was meant to do And he showed the way a man should live, to me and to you So step up to the plate for us, and swing your bat with pride For you know we're all here rooting for you, this is your star to ride And every once in a while, when we hear the thunder's clap We'll know you hit another home run, by the crack of your mighty bat. ____________________________________ |
Terry's Classmates Share Their Thoughts This is mighty sad news. I don't want to believe it. Terry and I weren't really friends at Lee (had one class together), so it was quite interesting to re-encounter him and his warm and embracing personality through his writing for the website and then, in person, at the mini-reunion in July. I was looking forward to continued encounters, to hear and see more of him at other times, and I'm torn up to hear that he is gone. Take care. Rainer Klauss Class of '64 _________________________________________ That is just such a very sad thing to hear. Christmas makes it more difficult time of the year when things a suppose to be happy and wonderful. Terry was a great person and human being. Contributed much to the comfort and heartaches of others, or so I have heard. So very sorry. Joan Baber Class of '64 _________________________________________ Tommy, Thanks for taking the time to let us all know about this. What an especially hard time for this to happen. My thoughts and prayers are with you and his family. I truly enjoyed the letters he wrote to the alumni paper. May God be with you. Pat Torzillo Stolz Class of '66 _________________________________________ Thanks for letting us know Tommy. I am so sorry. I've known Terry since Lincoln Elementary. Such a reality jolt. I know that a couple of our classmates are very ill. Really makes me realize how important every day is. Terry was ray of sunshine. Always seemed happy. Sherry Adcox White Class of '64 ___________________________________ I'm so sorry about Moses Preston. I just couldn't believe it and was immediately sadden. I just don't know what to say. Ginger Cagle Moore Class of '66 ___________________________________ I am very saddened to hear of Terry's death. Before the last mini class reunion Terry and I talked by email for several days. It was so good to hear from him. Please let me know the funeral arrangements as soon as you have more information. Thank you so much for your contact with each of us. Mary Ann Bond Wallace Class of '64 ______________________________________ Thank you for your note about Terry. Janice and I are saddened by his passing and shocked as well. I have known Terry since Elementary School at Lincoln. We will pray for his family. Ron & Janice Blaise Class of '64 _____________________________________ I was shocked when I saw the bad news. The time spent at our impromptu mini-reunion this summer helped me to better appreciate old friends and especially Terry. His smile and enthusiasm at being together is something that I will always remember and cherish. Skip Cook Class of '64 _____________________________________ I just can't believe that Terry (Moses) has died. I can see him so clearly at the picnic, that night at the restaurant and later at the hotel and again at breakfast with all of you the next morning. Even though we really didn't know each other in high school, that weekend he made me feel as if I had always been a part of his high school days. He greeted all of us with big warm hugs, warmly introduced Jan as the light of his life, and seemed to genuinely know how to enjoy all that God had given him. Moses will be greatly missed. His sense of humor, his wonderful singing voice, his love for his family and friends, his gift of writing, and his warmth are only a small part of who he truly was. I regret that I only got to know him for such a short time but I treasure that weekend, I treasure the stories that he wrote, and I treasure the friendship that summer weekend created. It is all the more important that we tell the people we know how much they mean to us, how they touch our lives and our hearts. Don't wait-- don't put it off. Pick up the phone, send an e-mail, write a letter or walk up to the person or persons that are important to you and tell them how much they mean to you. That is the best, the most important gift you can ever give or receive. Love, Joy Joy Rubins Morris Class of 1964 Athens, Alabama _____________________________________ With the passing of Terry Preston, one of our brightest lights may be gone, but the legacy that he leaves behind should be an inspiration. He loved life and he loved all of us. I'm so grateful that I was able to see and spent some time with Terry this past year. He was so happy that we had a get-together this summer. Those of you that attended the Mini-Reunion know what I mean. For a few hours, we were able to roll back the years. We renewed friendships, shared memories, and even established new friendships with some classmates that we didn't have a chance to spend much time with all those years ago. My last memory of Terry will always be special. As I was leaving the Marriot, Terry wrapped me in a big bear hug, thanked me again (for the 3rd or 4th time that day) for helping to organize the reunion, and said "Love you - see you next time". I'll be going to Terry's funeral in a few hours. While this is not the way I wanted to see him "the next time", I'm just grateful that I took the time to attend the Mini-Reunion - and went to Mullins last December when Terry was in town - and faithfully attend the monthly breakfast at Mullins whenever possible. Because, as Terry said this summer, if we were to wait to attend the "regular" reunions held every five years, so much can happen during that time that chances are some of us won't be there. Never in our wildest dreams did we think it would be one of us. To those of you that participate on-line and at our get-togethers, you understand what I'm saying. To those of you that are holding back - come on in !!!! We miss you - we love you- we want to hear from you & see you whenever possible. If you'd be more comfortable talking one on one at first, call or e-mail me. Love to All. Judy Fedrowisch Kincaid Class of '66 _______________________________ Terry and his contributions to the Traveller will be missed. Unfortunately, anything that any of us can say at a time like this is so inadequate. Our thoughts and prayers are certainly with his family and friends. We can only sympathize and stand by while God comforts and strengthens. Chip Smoak Class of '66 _________________________________ I want to thank you for your notice about Terry Preston. Terry and I went back a long way, all the way to Miss Chapman's 5th grade at Lincoln elementary. He was truly a gentleman in every sense of the word and I will miss him. We were Patrol Boys together at Lincoln too. Its strange what one remembers sometimes. He was a part of some very wonderful and special memories about my youth, the kind that you tuck away and use when you really need them. This is one of those times. Thanks again for your note. Don Blaise Class of '64 _____________________________________ Terry "Moses" Preston is the only classmate of Lee High School that I have seen since graduation. He came down last year to San Diego we went to a Padres game together. It was really good to see him. Just like my brother Terry Vandiver this was really unexpected. I can sssure you all that unexpected as it was, Terry Preston was prepared to meet his maker. He was a good Christian man. As sad as this makes me, I am glad he was prepared. That part makes me very happy. All of us who knew Terry or read his articles in the Traveller will surely miss him. Rod Vandiver Class of '65 __________________________________ Terry was a brother that I loved for many, many years. I can but remember the many good times we had over the years of our youth in east Huntsville. My prayers are for his family and friends as we shall all have a hole in our hearts which Terry once filled. BUT, He shall remain in our fondest memories. GOD'S BLESSINGS David Mullins- Terry's Friend Class of '64 ____________________________ Terry was at the heart of both the website and our gatherings, he will be missed and remembered. Lynn Bozeman VanPelt Class of '66 ___________________________________ Edna and I just couldn't believe that Terry passed away either. We'll always remember the lively, happy Terry that we saw this past summer at Mullins. Thank goodness for our mini reunions! Johnny and Edna Freeman Sharp Class of '64 _______________________________ I was very saddened to hear about the passing of Terry Preston. My condolences to the family. It has been many years since I have seen Terry. We were friends who played baseball together, and sang Buddy Holley songs. Terry will be missed by many. Gary Kinkle Class of '64 _________________________________ What a shame! One never knows, huh? Bob Walker Class of '64 ________________________________ Well sh*t! Woody Beck Class of '64 (Editor's Note: Of all the words in all the e-mail's, I think Woody's eloquent style sums up what most of us really thought when we got the word of Terry's death. He would have laughed at this.) ________________________________ |
An E-Mail To Billy Byrom From Terry (Editor's Note: Billy wanted to share this recent e-mail he received from Terry.) From: "T Preston" <terryleesmail@earthlink.net> To: <b6614@aol.com>; <billy@aetsolar.com> Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2002 6:17 PM Subject: Hello Bopping Billy, from your good friend Terry Billy!! Man it was great to see your e-mail on the web page this week! I have wondered and asked about you for years. It's been a long time, been a long time, been a long, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time! How in the world are you doing? It's hard to imagine you living in Keystone Heights. I formerly lived in Titusville and had business dealings for years in Sanford (near Orlando), Melbourne, and Fort Lauderdale. I made the drive from Huntsville to I-75 South, I-10 East, and I-95 South more times than I can remember, and I recall passing the Palatka exit. I once heard a radio DJ say that Palatka is the sound that a cow patty makes hitting the ground. Can you believe she would say something like that? Lost some listeners! But I have somehow missed going through Keystone Heights. What else is there, besides my very good friend whom I still love dearly? (That be you). It is obviously a lively party spot, or else is close to one! I now live in Southern California (since April of last year). The Community is called Wildomar, and is located an hour north of San Diego off I-15. This puts me about 45 minutes from the beach, an hour from Disneyland, one and a half from Los Angeles, and four from Las Vegas. Lehman Williams lives about an hour from me in Covina, and Mike Cortright about an hour and a half in Irvine. I'm glad that you are reading the web page. Be sure to check out the past issues, too. It will catch you up on a lot, and it will bring back a ton of memories. Yes it's sad that we have lost so many of our classmates, but I guess that it is to be expected since it started while we were still at Lee. Anyhow, let's focus on positive things. I have always enjoyed knowing you, and I have especially good memories of you. Do you remember the time we bumped heads playing football in P.E.? I believe you were in the 8th grade at the time, and I was in the 9th. That is NOT one of the good memories! But the football practices and games were. I remember that we had side-by-side lockers during that undefeated 1961 football season, and that half a dozen or more of us had athletes' foot at the same time. I can still see the whole row of us sitting and rubbing between our toes, in agony and ecstasy! Have a great day, buddy! Answer as soon as you can! Your friend, Terry 'Moses' Preston _______________________________________________ |
I Will Remember You by Tommy Towery I'm going to try to not write pages and pages about Terry, which I know I could do. One of the hardest things I have had to do in years was to try to call the ones that I knew were close to Terry and tell them the news in person, before I sent out the e-mail informing all of you of Terry's passing. There were just too many friends to call. My biggest regret was that I did not have everyone's phone number and in a few cases, the correct e-mail. I waited a long time before I hit the button to send the news, perhaps thinking that if I did not send it, it would not be true. For every moment I waited, he lived a little longer in your life. To me, Terry was the symbol of the Lee High School "Spirit" that we have all recaptured into our lives, and I know that he would want us to continue to make that spirit grow even larger. Two of the definitions of spirit that I used for the scholarship essay information sheet were: n. The vital principle or animating force within living beings. The part of a human associated with the mind, will, and feelings: Though unable to join us today, they are with us in spirit. I know that Terry will always be with us in Spirit. Terry was the first classmate to send me an e-mail and ask what he could do to help out with Lee's Traveller. He liked what he saw and wanted to make it better. I had been doing all the work myself since March of 2000, and was not putting out half the quality product that you now see each week. Terry's offer was a surprise and a relief and allowed me the time to continue the production work on the task without having to do all the writing also. Over the weeks, months, and years I realized how much of a part of my Lee days were also a part of Terry's Lee days and how much he was a part of my life. Whenever I wrote a story about something that happened, Terry seemed to be able to embellish it with more facts. Events and people that I never associated with Terry, were parts of his memories too. I was made to realize that I was not the only one who remembered and cared about my high school days, and Terry's contributions to those memories are priceless. At the reunions, Terry was always a "force." He added to every event to make it special. You could walk into a room and in the crowd of 300 or more you always knew if Terry was there. Last summer when he made plans to come to Huntsville, he started sending out e-mails and worked his visit into an event that brought classmates together from at least seven states. The July Mini-Reunion was a great success, and for many, that was the last time you got to see Terry. I'm so happy that it took place. It was truly his event. Sure a few of us helped out, but without the sparkplug that Terry provided, it would have never happened. I saw many classmates that have never been back to a reunion show up for that one, just because Terry prodded them into coming. He was happy for the turnout, but missed the ones that didn't show. He would not have been content unless every one of you had showed up. He cared that much about all of you. Terry proved himself not only a great piece of our memories, but a great writer that brought those memories to life. He reminded us of dances, concerts, sporting events (especially baseball), and people who were parts of our lives. He was most excited recently about a book of epic verses that he had completed and was negotiating with an agent about getting published. He sent me one of the few copies for review and comments, and I shall treasure that forever. He lived the kind of life that made us want to go out and live our own lives fuller - concerts, beaches, races, ballgames, music and fun. And yet in his wildest days, he always remembered the Creator that gave him those gifts. I will miss opening his e-mails to see what treasures he has written to share with us. I will miss the phone calls he made to me from race tracks and concerts, and his words "I wish you were here". Someday I'll get that call from him again, and I know when that day comes I'll have a classmate and a friend waiting for me with a smile and a big hug and stories that start out with "Hey Tommy, remember the time we ...." I will remember those times and I will remember you, Terry. ______________________________________________ |
Photo of Lee's Traveller staff at the Y2K2 (Terry's) Mini-Reunion - left to right, Tommy Towery, Joy Rubins Morris, the ever-present smile of Terry Preston, Barbara Wilkerson Donnelly. |
In the Arms of the Angels by Barbara Wilkerson Donnelly I knew it was true when Tommy called me Sunday morning. But I don't think Terry's death became a reality for me until I talked to Jan later that same evening. He was well-known at the karaoke bar where they were that night, since he performed regularly. Always the life of the party, Terry was asked to sing the Beatles' "You Say it's Your Birthday," which he did with his usual zest. Almost immediately after being seated, Terry left this world for the next. Terry Lee had been my best male friend among many at Lee. I don't even remember how we connected there was never any sort of romantic attachment between us. We shared our triumphs and aggravations concerning the opposite sexes. Even then, Terry was full of himself not in a bad way. He was always self-confident, but never conceited. Even then, when you had Terry's attention, you knew you had his complete attention and that he genuinely cared about you. Somewhere along the way, as most of us do after leaving high school, we lost touch. Then around the time of the 2000 reunion, we became fast friends again, almost overnight. We emailed each other on a regular basis and made plans to meet in Las Vegas last March for Ed's and my 33rd anniversary. Because Ed's father was dying, we had to cancel the trip. Although it couldn't have been helped, I always regretted not being able to spend that time with Terry and his lovely Jan. Terry gave me such a hard time over it, too! Most of our emails centered on one-upmanship and barbs, so that was no surprise. Early on, we gave each other permission to say whatever we wished and each promised to never take it seriously or be offended. I really looked forward to his humor and wit, which constantly caught me off guard. I remember once saying to him, "I knew you were a wit, but not SUCH a wit!" In one of the last e-mails to our staff, which Tommy mentioned, Terry gave credit to the Lord for his life. He did this on a regular basis. Jan told me that every morning without fail, Terry would say to her, "Smile and be happy. This is the day the Lord has made." During the past two years, I lost several friends. Terry was always consoling, but at the same time, he gently tucked in that little reminder that death is a part of life and that it is our responsibility to go on and not dwell on the negative. Even in death, he's still teaching me. The irony of singing the birthday song as he left one life to begin the next would not have been lost on Terry. Just after the mini-reunion we had occasion to discuss the fact that we never know whether we might see someone again, or whether that might have been the last time. Terry stressed that that's why it is so important to live each day to the fullest and to love our friends and family. In the same above-mentioned email, Terry asked, jokingly, if I had any notes to pass him. That was probably my main purpose in life while we were at Lee to pass notes to Terry from his many admirers. It seems only fitting, therefore, that the last note I pass to Terry should be from me: My dear friend, I cannot even begin to imagine what life without your jokes and comments will be like. You had a smile that would light up the room, and you had an instant effect upon everyone you met. I'm so thankful that we had that short window of opportunity to become close again, and I'm especially happy that we made it to the mini-reunion last summer where you introduced your Jan to all of us. Your strong love for her was obvious, and I know that memory will help sustain her in the days ahead. You always said that she was keeping you young, and I cannot imagine anyone enjoying life more than you did. For that reason, I think you would have chosen to leave us as you did -- on a high note, so to speak, with no lingering pain and no regrets for what you should have done. You did it all, didn't you? Goodbye, my dear friend. I love you and I'll miss you. Say hello to Dwight and Terry V. and all our other friends. I'll be expecting my own "Happy Birthday" song when next we meet. Catch you on the flip side. Barbara Having been a minister, Terry understood the necessity for grieving. But he would want us to grieve only his passing and for those he left behind not for him. There's a big birthday party planned in heaven in a few days, and who better can you think of to lead the celestial choir than Terry Lee? This Christmas season when you're with them, love your family and friends all a little harder than usual and be thankful for every day you have together. And when you leave their homes to return to yours, look up at that new twinkling star in the sky the one that shines just a little brighter than the others and remember Terry, not with tears, but with a smile. He's in the arms of the angels. _____________________________________________ |
WHY GOD GAVE US FRIENDS Author Unknown GOD Knew That Everyone Needs Companionship And Cheer, He Knew That People Need Someone Whose Thoughts Are Always Near. He Knew They Need Someone Kind To Lend A Helping Hand. Someone To Gladly Take The Time To Care And Understand. GOD Knew That We All Need Someone To Share Each Happy Day, To Be A Source Of Courage When Troubles Come Our Way. Someone To Be True To Us, Whether Near Or Far Apart. Someone Whose Love We'll Always Hold And Treasure In Our Hearts. _________________________________________ |
