| Message | Lanny:
Like yourself, I lost a dear friend this week. Chappie Maurice Cotton, 78, of Denver passed away. He was a man who made you a better person just by knowing him. He served in the Air Force when he was one of only two African-Americans serving his country. He lived through segregation and he did it with a smile on his face.
I met him three years ago. He came into my life as a co-worker. He quickly became a friend, mentor, and my biggest fan. He taught me how to play dominoes and he would call me a "big bucket head" when I would beat him on the rare occassion. However, he was truly my biggest fan. He told our director that he was "a peon and that young man [me] was the brains of the outfit and you need to pay him more." He called me son and would tell me that I "could do anything I set [my] mind too."
He was the grandfather I never had. I loved him in life and I honor his memory. I was a better man for knowing him. I will do him proud.
I miss you, my friend.
Harvey |