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No kids, No job, No answering machine, Few worries!
About Me, page 1
HOW I GOT TO WHERE I AM AND MY REASON FOR RETIRING EARLY IN LIFE...
I moved my parents to Abilene in 1999, where my wife and I both were employeed by local firms. Soon, their health declined and during Thanksgiving 2003, my mom and dad were diagnosed with cancer within 7 days of each other. Since I was the only family member nearby, I had to retire early and become a caregiver for my mom and dad. It was time for me to payback my folks for being such wonderful parents and I was happy to run their errands, take them to chemotherapy and help in anyway possible. Mom passed away in Hospice Care in 8 months of her diagnosis. My dad lived for another year before he went into Hospice, in a room at Hendrix Hospice Care directly across from the one where my mother lived out her final days. This was a pretty tough time in my life but I had to "soldier-on" and attend to my dad's affairs. Since my parents passed away, I continue to remain retired and have a secluded, quiet and peaceful life on a farm in Runnels County, Texas with my wife, who continues to pursue her carreer in Abilene.
Although I didn't follow in my father's footsteps and become a professional pilot, I'm blessed that he taught me about flying, photography and many other things. My mom enjoyed birds and painting pictures of birds and I guess that is how I got my start and interest in them. These days, I enjoy taking pictures of birds and snapping photos from my airplane. One day I might publish a book of my photos, but for now, I focus on chores here on the farm and enjoy my hobbies.
REWIND TO MY YOUTH...
Shortly after I graduated from high school in El Paso, I joined the Army and was assigned to an airborne unit at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While I was there, I volunteered for Vietnam and ultimately did two tours of duty as a machinegunner.
After my discharge, I went to college and received a BA Degree in Mass Communications from The University of Texas at El Paso. I spent 30+ years working in television and public relations. I also taught television classes at ACU in the 1980s.
These days I live on a farm in Runnels County, Texas (trying to figure out how to make a farm profitable!) and I have adopted 7 formerly homeless dogs. I am blessed with a very understanding and tolerant wife, my one and only bride of nearly 25 years.
I still remain active by donating my services to charitable causes, although I have to admit I am getting very rusty since leaving professional life. Although I am retired, I enjoy using my communications skills to help where I can (if I can keep a very low profile!) Noah Project in Abilene is one of the organizations I have done work for and I have several other charitable causes that I support.
These days, I enjoy taking pictures of birds and snapshots from my airplane, much in the same way my dad enjoyed his hobby back in the 1960s. I have to say that I haven't flown since February of 2006 due to divertriculitis, and since it's not practical to fly because of this disease, I've learned watching birds fly is a lot cheaper than buying gas for an airplane and flying myself around! Arthitis compounds my problem and I may soon sell the airplane and focus on my other hobbies.
The picture at the bottom is of me and my dad enjoying a nice weekend adventure in 1989. As you can see, my father was always giving me tips about flying. As an amature pilot, I was always learning something new from my professional pilot father. My dad was my best man at my wedding and I have been blessed to have spent 53 years hanging out with my dad... I am a very lucky man! Our birthdays were one day apart!
I moved my parents to Abilene in 1999, where my wife and I both were employeed by local firms. Soon, their health declined and during Thanksgiving 2003, my mom and dad were diagnosed with cancer within 7 days of each other. Since I was the only family member nearby, I had to retire early and become a caregiver for my mom and dad. It was time for me to payback my folks for being such wonderful parents and I was happy to run their errands, take them to chemotherapy and help in anyway possible. Mom passed away in Hospice Care in 8 months of her diagnosis. My dad lived for another year before he went into Hospice, in a room at Hendrix Hospice Care directly across from the one where my mother lived out her final days. This was a pretty tough time in my life but I had to "soldier-on" and attend to my dad's affairs. Since my parents passed away, I continue to remain retired and have a secluded, quiet and peaceful life on a farm in Runnels County, Texas with my wife, who continues to pursue her carreer in Abilene.
Although I didn't follow in my father's footsteps and become a professional pilot, I'm blessed that he taught me about flying, photography and many other things. My mom enjoyed birds and painting pictures of birds and I guess that is how I got my start and interest in them. These days, I enjoy taking pictures of birds and snapping photos from my airplane. One day I might publish a book of my photos, but for now, I focus on chores here on the farm and enjoy my hobbies.
REWIND TO MY YOUTH...
Shortly after I graduated from high school in El Paso, I joined the Army and was assigned to an airborne unit at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While I was there, I volunteered for Vietnam and ultimately did two tours of duty as a machinegunner.
After my discharge, I went to college and received a BA Degree in Mass Communications from The University of Texas at El Paso. I spent 30+ years working in television and public relations. I also taught television classes at ACU in the 1980s.
These days I live on a farm in Runnels County, Texas (trying to figure out how to make a farm profitable!) and I have adopted 7 formerly homeless dogs. I am blessed with a very understanding and tolerant wife, my one and only bride of nearly 25 years.
I still remain active by donating my services to charitable causes, although I have to admit I am getting very rusty since leaving professional life. Although I am retired, I enjoy using my communications skills to help where I can (if I can keep a very low profile!) Noah Project in Abilene is one of the organizations I have done work for and I have several other charitable causes that I support.
These days, I enjoy taking pictures of birds and snapshots from my airplane, much in the same way my dad enjoyed his hobby back in the 1960s. I have to say that I haven't flown since February of 2006 due to divertriculitis, and since it's not practical to fly because of this disease, I've learned watching birds fly is a lot cheaper than buying gas for an airplane and flying myself around! Arthitis compounds my problem and I may soon sell the airplane and focus on my other hobbies.
The picture at the bottom is of me and my dad enjoying a nice weekend adventure in 1989. As you can see, my father was always giving me tips about flying. As an amature pilot, I was always learning something new from my professional pilot father. My dad was my best man at my wedding and I have been blessed to have spent 53 years hanging out with my dad... I am a very lucky man! Our birthdays were one day apart!
As soon as the divertriculitis goes away, I'll be working on my hobby of taking pictures of birds and snapping pictures from my airplane... Come back again and share in the pictures.
Roy S. Brooks, Runnels County, TEXAS
