I came over to the Junior High after 6 years at St. Mary's.  I was anxious about making friends with other kids.   But soon I made some new & great friendships with lots of people - Hal, Dohse,  Keith,  Forney, North...and Doug Leas.

I spent many nights out at Doug's house on 127 passed Schultz Motors (and later on Harrison) - way before the bypass.  Long bike ride.  Also became good friends with his brothers Greg (where are you?) and Rob.  Their mom, a very sweet lady named Peggy worked at the Card Shop for many years.

Doug and I were tight for many years but eventually lost touch.  He got married and ended up in California.  One day in 2001, (or around there) Greg showed up at my work - telling me that Doug (always a very good athlete) had drowned in California.  He asked me to be a pallbearer.

He thought there might not be enough - turned out there were more than needed!

Doug was buried out by Ft. Jefferson on a beautiful summer day.  I still miss him.