Spring Break
"Old Town" Gerry makes the rounds
Tim Maddocks
Issue date: 11/26/07 Section: News
"I'll have a commemorative drink, but don't insult me by asking me to have another one," Gerry said. "When I was young, I decided it was useless to drink or smoke because the people around me, of which there were many, led to incidents in their life, which I did not want to be condemned to. And I held to it."
When he was in the Navy, he was known as "One Beer" Gerry.
Gerry is not homeless, or a drunk. He has no taste for alcohol. It's not booze that brings Gerry to the bars. It's the people.
But he's not out to save drinkers either.
"I meet people at bars," Gerry said. "That's where they are. They came to drink, that's why they are there. If they want to talk to and can talk to me, I will. Conversation is my entertainment."
He claims to be a man who can talk about anything, crediting his repertoire of knowledge to his education and upbringing harvesting melons during the Great Depression in Oklahoma.
"I was born and raised during the Depression and the Dust Bowl and that has pretty much set my goals and everything else. I knew I was a sharecropper's son," Gerry said. "… as I look back on it, it is the best thing that ever happened to me. I never went hungry. I always had clothes on my back. They were not very fashionable, but I always had the means to get along."
"And I knew that the only way out of (poverty) was to get a good education," he added.
His education afforded him the ability to "sit down and talk with practically anybody in any field."
Rev. Richard Thebo, director of the Open Door Mission in Old Town, confirms his claim.
"Gerry is the type that can tell you how to do anything, from baking your Ma's apple pie to putting an engine in a Kaiser," Thebo said.
subhead
In the late 1940s after graduating high school, Gerry paid his way to a bachelor's degree in geography at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU) workings as a bellhop and librarian.
He dropped out to join the Navy at the beginning of the Korean War, serving as an air traffic controller. But unlike many of his military peers who chose aviation careers, Gerry decided to finish school.
When he was in the Navy, he was known as "One Beer" Gerry.
Gerry is not homeless, or a drunk. He has no taste for alcohol. It's not booze that brings Gerry to the bars. It's the people.
But he's not out to save drinkers either.
"I meet people at bars," Gerry said. "That's where they are. They came to drink, that's why they are there. If they want to talk to and can talk to me, I will. Conversation is my entertainment."
He claims to be a man who can talk about anything, crediting his repertoire of knowledge to his education and upbringing harvesting melons during the Great Depression in Oklahoma.
"I was born and raised during the Depression and the Dust Bowl and that has pretty much set my goals and everything else. I knew I was a sharecropper's son," Gerry said. "… as I look back on it, it is the best thing that ever happened to me. I never went hungry. I always had clothes on my back. They were not very fashionable, but I always had the means to get along."
"And I knew that the only way out of (poverty) was to get a good education," he added.
His education afforded him the ability to "sit down and talk with practically anybody in any field."
Rev. Richard Thebo, director of the Open Door Mission in Old Town, confirms his claim.
"Gerry is the type that can tell you how to do anything, from baking your Ma's apple pie to putting an engine in a Kaiser," Thebo said.
subhead
In the late 1940s after graduating high school, Gerry paid his way to a bachelor's degree in geography at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU) workings as a bellhop and librarian.
He dropped out to join the Navy at the beginning of the Korean War, serving as an air traffic controller. But unlike many of his military peers who chose aviation careers, Gerry decided to finish school.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 29
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 11/26/07 @ 9:40 AM MST
Wow what a great story Tim. If I get back to Fort Collins I am going to make it a point to meet Gerry.
Gerry understands what I have for years , it is the people , and the memories you create with them that are important in life. (Continued…)
erin
posted 11/26/07 @ 2:53 PM MST
great article, we posted a link to it at www.collegenews.com!
Worthless Bum
posted 8/17/08 @ 1:08 PM MST
That's so nice, an endorsement from a crook like Thebo.
Worthless Bum
posted 8/18/08 @ 2:21 PM MST
Private or not, he's supposed to representing God, not his bigoted prejudices. No one said that all homeless people were angels, but they don't pretend to be like Thebo. (Continued…)
Craig Hawley
posted 8/18/08 @ 2:34 PM MST
Once again you completely ignore the rights of the men in the shelter to sleep without having a gay guy trying to hit on them.
Also this pastor has had gays shower and eat there before and they didn't get kicked out. (Continued…)
Worthless Bum
posted 8/18/08 @ 5:33 PM MST
Response to Craig Hawley's diatribe.
http://richardthebo.blogspot.com/2008/08/craig-hawley-bigotry-and-faith-in-lies.html
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 8/18/08 @ 7:09 PM MST
Ok I tried to be civil but you want to make this personal we can dance.
Yes your own personal blog I trust as far as I can throw you.
I am posting from Los Angeles and going by the facts as reported by an actual news source not your personal opinion page. (Continued…)
Worthless Bum
posted 8/18/08 @ 7:21 PM MST
You really, really need to seek some counseling. You just showed yourself for the pompous lying ass you are. It's no wonder you defend Thebo so vigorously--you're just like him. (Continued…)
Craig Hawley
posted 8/18/08 @ 8:16 PM MST
God Bless you to you worthless old bum.
Here is his poll so he can't change it to dodge the facts.
Thank you, we have already counted your vote. (Continued…)
worthless Bum
posted 8/19/08 @ 7:48 AM MST
Since I never advertised the blog it shouldn't seem unrealistic that word hasn't gotten around about it's existence yet. But thanks to you that's all changed. (Continued…)
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