Sybil, Debbie, Cheryl, Bonnie and Family:
So sorry to be in GA and not to be able to join you.
We pray God's comfort and peace for all of you as you remember Al and what he meant to each of you.
Among many things, we will fondly remember Al's enthusiatic greetings, smiles, his hours with Ace at the lake, his recent workouts in the TCC exercise facility, numerous golf outings and seeing how much he and Van enjoyed their long term relationship, hunting trips and good natured rivalry between the Tigers and Rebels.
(Joey)...my first LSU football game came via Al when Dad told me (10 years old) that a friend had offered for us to see Tiger stadium as LSU played Texas A&M...WOW...an experience I would never forget...not just the game, but the man who invited us...he was so gracious, welcoming and patient in explaining what was going on...on every occasion that we met after that (spanning nearly 50 years), he treated the "kid" with respect and made me feel truly important..even though the "kid" had defected to Ole Miss. Truth is, I don't remember Al ever denigrating opponents...he always had positive or uplifting comments, even when the Tigers had annihilated us...a mark of a true gentleman.
So I thank God for Al...an encourager and role model...as a friend of my Dad's who I could look up to...and someone who shaped me in positive and powerful ways.
We are thankful for Al's life!
