Everyone has one special buddy/friend from high school. Ray Jones was more than just that to me. He was the guy I met every morning and walked to school with and then again back home. (Damn, come to think of it, that was a long walk.) I lived on West 111th and Lorain Avenue and I would meet Ray at West Boulevard and Western. Then we would make the trek down to 91st to West Tech. It was during these walks that we bonded mostly I think. We would talk about girls, music, tell jokes, sports, all the things guys talk about.

Although Ray was not the guy I hung around with after school, we got closer as friends during these walks. Many times, before I went home and to my neighborhood buddies, I would oft times go to his house on the way home from school and stay there for supper. He had the nicest parents anyone would ever want. They always asked me to stay for dinner. I carried that tradition on with my family whenever they would bring someone home.

I think our best connection though was through music. We both loved Rock N Roll and were always talking about the latest Bill Haley song that came out. It was almost like a contest to see who would know it before the other.

I am wondering if Ray remembers some of the other things we did. Every year, when the new cars came out, we would go up to the Mercury dealership on 103rd and Lorain and look at the new Mercs. That was a little bit of a walk from his house but we did it every year. And we can't forget all the high school football games. We led the cheers from our little group and had such great fun. And there was Michauds after school once in awhile. There was another little hamburger joint that opened up near 98th and Lorain that "the gang" used to stop at. Of course, he can't forget introducing me to his neighbor, Judy Jones, no relation. My, my, my, what a pretty girl. But that's another link...lol.

Then there was the prom. I took Judy and I forget who Ray took and if my mind doesn't fail me, we double dated??? I am not sure of this. I do know we went out to Ludwig's drive-in restaurant in North Olmsted to eat after the dance. My prom night was nothing to wave the flag about but I think Ray had a great time. I think he took the girl her had been going steady with. Judy was fun but I was too shy to really have a good time..lol.

After high school, I lost touch with Ray but located him a few years ago. We talk every once in awhile. Am really looking forward to seeing him again at our 50th reunion, next September. Great guy. Seems like whenever I reminisce about my high school years, Ray is always a big part of them. He always had a smile on his face and loved life. I know he is now married and living in Toledo. Only thing left to say is "Thanks for the memories" Ray. Glad life turned out to be good for you. It was fun...