I remember him with good thoughts of the past. One such recall occurred on his birthday in 1990. I accepted an invitation to a surprise BD party at his sister's house.
In speaking with her she gave the address as: 204 North Memorial Drive in Pasadena, TX. Very near Sam Rayborn High school located nearby. I was familiar with the school trusting I could find it from there. So, I stopped by Academy & bought a Garcia 5500 reel for George.
In my search for the home address, I found many vehicles on the street near her home forcing me to park a block away.
I hate being late to any occasion as most appeared already there upon my arrival. I hurried to the door parked over a block away where a young boy answered my knock. So, I went right on inside to give George's gift to the boy. I then entered a large room of people, I DID NOT KNOW! I thought nothing of it having never met George' sister either.
So I took a seat on the couch asking another to "scoot over, Pal". He did & I helped myself to a drink in a large cooler located near. Plus, chips, & dip watching the Texas Longhorns & Texas A&M aggies play football on wide screen TV.
I started looking around to notice ALL the women were in kitchen. ALL were looking at me like a cow peering through a barb wire fence!
So, I got up from my seat not interested in either Texas team playing football to ask a lady; "when is the birthday boy coming"?
She with others ears tuned to my question replied, "WHAT BIRTHDAY BOY ARE YOU SPEAKING"?
WOW! Just WOW!
I then asked, "IS THIS 204 North Memorial Drive"? One lady of the group replied, "NO", adding "this is 204 Memorial Drive."! Then further explaining, "NORTH Memorial Drive is two blocks further of here".
YES, I felt like an idiot.
I QUICKLY left their nice residence hurrying to my vehicle. I then drove a short distance to find NORTH Memorial drive. As soon as I found the correct address, I remembered I had left Georges' expensive fishing reel in the first home I visited. WOW!
So, I went back explaining a young boy let me in & had possession of the reel I wanted back. That boy retrieved it with 14 lb mono filament line he was already beginning to install!
Well, ole George was at his sister's home & VERY happy with his gift. Commenting, "Thanks, Bill for the nice reel complete with fishing line".
I did not tell him the full story then BUT shared many laughs all the years thereafter.
RIP, George Woods.
Bill Chavis is a well known retired papermaker and contributing writer to Paperitalo Publications.
