Anthony Thaxton
I am deeply saddened to hear of Mike's passing. He and I were very close friends in late Junior High and early High School years and I am terribly sorry I didn't make an effort to reconnect in recent years. Our friendship came at a time we were both transitioning from boy scouting to girl scouting. We camped with fellow Troop 99 Patrol members at Church's on Hill Road, played with slot cars in his basement on Court Street, smoked Crooks cigars in his back yard, and attended the Drags at Martin 131 Drag Strip. He was the first one I took for a ride in my Dad's 55 Chevy (4-door six with 3-on-the-tree) and traveled 4 blocks before we tried to lay rubber. We attended Church Camp together at Pilgrim Haven where we discovered similar female attractions (Summer of 65 with Hang-on Sloopy).
My best and favorite memory of Mike involves building plywood skateboards in my basement based on a photo I found in a California Surfing magazine. I had the wood and he had the skates. We "camped" on Chase Lounges in his backyard and in the early morning hours "surfed" the parking lot downtown behind Skip's Tavern. I seem to recall a few skinned knees and elbows but we did this more than once. Never made it to the Alamo hill though.
As often happens with friendships at that age we drifted apart as jobs, girls and girlfriends became bigger part of our lives. I will never forget his laugh and the memories we shared.
Anthony (Tony) Thaxton
anthonythaxton@mac.com