They Inspired Me: My Life Journey From Gardi to Tomahawk Mountain

The rural South shaped a boy of meager circumstances who rose to a career in a Fortune 500 company and beyond. His journey from living in a tar paper shack to living a life of service and accomplishments is well documented within this book. You will shed tears, laugh, learn, reflect, and meet some inspiring individuals. Learn how black pepper impacted his life!

His early years were spent in the small community of Gardi. He traces his early life experiences with his dog Rocks, cousins, and friends within the community.

His first educational experience was with a country school and recess… he was not enrolled at the time. His first grade-first day-experience led to him being bribed with candy from a beautiful blonde girl to get off of the school bus after arriving at school. In spite of his experiences, he received a diploma for completing the first day of the first grade.

His dad was an uneducated blue-collar worker who ultimately found his life calling as a pastor and minister. His mother was a loving and warm person who had the entrepreneurial spirit and created a thriving multi-state business making frozen dumplings. Her dumplings earned the title of The Cadillac of Dumplings .

The family grew to a total of six with the addition of his three siblings. During the early 1970’s, a tragedy hit the family with a life changing and earth-shattering catastrophe. This event was heartrending at the time but almost immediately had a silver lining.

His life mission is based on the belief that we are put on this earth to serve others. His desire is that those who read this book might inspire others to look for opportunities to serve, inspire, and share their stories.