You and I are a continuation of those who came before us, shaped by the social environment and culture we were born into.

With that in mind, I present to you a relatively short list of pertinent details about me:

• I’m a blend of Scottish, Irish, and British Heritage; born during  the “baby boom” to a lower middle class family.
• Once in America, my family settled in the south. We were farmers and bee keepers.
• Ancestry.com and written family records confirm that, I’m also of Native American (Cherokee) heritage.
• I am a direct descendant of Cherokee, “Yellow Bird Trail Killer”; born in his bloodline through his daughter “Yellow Bird” (aka Nancy Pack – Jenkins).
• My forefathers fought in the Revolutionary War, WW-1, and WW-2.
• My mother was 15 years old when I was conceived, and 16 when I was born. (Just 7 months to the day after my parents were married).
• I have 3 younger siblings (2 are still living). My parents divorced when I was 16 — My father was not a part of my life again until many years later.
• I didn’t go to college. When I graduated from high school, I was making more money than my mom and usually had the only running car in the family.
• I have 4 sons, 7 grandchildren, and 2 great granddaughters.
• I love God, my wife, my family, music, and kind people.
• I’m a firm believer that there is an abundance of opportunity all around us, if only we choose to see it.  
• I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in late June of 2017, experienced a heart attack in late April of 2022, and although I would have preferred to continue working, I retired in May of 2024, because it was the right thing to do.
• I enjoy the memories of my past, but I don’t live there.
• I do my best to learn from my mistakes….and I don’t look back…..ever. 
• I read and write a lot, and oh….I Love to Cook.

If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.
~ John F. Kennedy

Updated 6.5.24