In scanning through the web pages of this web site, I couldn't help but recall Miss Mayo Linder.  To me she was more than a teacher; she was a friend and a confidant.  What a great lady!  Miss Linder was a major influence on my life.  In fact if it hadn't been for her, I don't know how my life might have unfolded.

After graduation from Tech in 1940 I found it impossible to go on to college and jobs were scarce.  We were still feeling the effects of the economic depression. I received a call from Miss Linder and she said that she had been in touch with Chief Irby Klinck of the Memphis Fire Department and he was looking for someone who could take notes and also design a report for The Southeastern Fire Chiefs Association which would be meeting at the Peabody Hotel.  She said she had given my name to the Chief.  After an interview I did get the job.  It was only a temporary job but after I had finished the report Chief Klinck asked if I would stay on as Secretary of the Fire Marshal's office.  I became close friends with the Chief's son Captain John Klinck, who helped me obtain a job with the Second Army Signal Corps, located at the Fairgrounds.  I later went on to serve four years in the Army Signal Corps in World War 2.

I often wonder how my life would have unfolded if I had never received that telephone call from Miss Linder.  I will always regret that I never took the opportunity to thank her.  She passed away in 1991 and I will never forget her.