Lee and the gang. He is at front right by Julius Parker. John Wilson is at back right.
Some glowing memories of Lee Anderson, who gave me my first chance in the beloved newspaper business:
Meeting him for the first time in the late summer of 1971 armed with a fine recommendation from Covenant College's Joel Belz (whose daughter, as it turns out, is now a top Chattanoogan.com editor). I had spent the summer lounging around in Laurens and returned to Chattanooga only for a friend's wedding. I thought I would wind up at some rural weekly. But I gave it a shot on 11th Street. Amazingly, I was given a coveted slot in the newsroom - despite the fact that concerns were raised when I wrote out a test news article in longhand.
Working day to day with Lee, Julius Parker, Buddy Houts and all the crew, living my lifetime dream of being a real life newspaper reporter.
Seeing Buddy go into Lee's office with some cooperating visitor and Buddy figuring a way to embarrass Lee royally. One was Gene Turner, who always had his tape measure handy to measure you for the casket.
Teaming with Lee in the News-Free Press tennis tournament - and winning, though Tim Barber and Eddie Baker were tough.
Having him invite me for an unexpected spin one afternoon down to explore some Indian mounds around about Calhoun, Ga.
The time he took me by and showed me Lee Anderson Park - at Palmetto and Oak. The Red Cross had honored him.
Visiting at the home he loved on Crest Road on Missionary Ridge and enjoying the view of town across the lot on the opposite side of the road. He had bought the lot to preserve that view.
Seeing Betsy and Lee at the wonderful newspaper outings to McDonald Farm in Sale Creek.
Getting called into his office about once a year and being told I was doing a fine job and was getting a raise.
Having him tell me that there was no way I would ever get fired - not even if I pushed him down the stairs. Those were the steps he lept up very early each morning - two or maybe three at a time. I don't think he ever took Shorty's elevator.
An especial welcome memory was seeing him back in his office - the one next to Mr. Roy - on a Monday a week after he had left the arduous editorial writing to me. It was quite a task to completely fill the page and have the lines measure out just right. No one else did it that way or was nearly that prolific.
Seeing him in the later years on Friday nights at Mount Vernon with Ben Haden and the other regulars.
He always told me he missed me.