March 12

Our Olympic-Sized Pool

My Mother was a stay-at-home Mom. She shopped at a store on San Juan that had bent cans and sale racks.  In my mind, she scrimped and saved all of the time. I was never was aware of her splurging unless you call getting a Krystal Burger on occasional Wednesday night after church a splurge (and we could only have one with water to drink.) Those were the happiest of days too!

Daddy worked for the government.  After coming out of the Army in the mid 1940’s from Camp Landing, he moved the Jacksonville to be close to his sweetheart(my Mom) then got a job at NAS Jax. 

My parents married at Riverside Baptist Church in Jacksonville.  They bought a house, site-unseen with a small down payment.  With little money and only one salary coming in they scrimped and saved  even more. They then,  put money on a down-payment for a 10-acre plot on the Westside of Jacksonville.  I was about 7 at the time but I even remember the conversations about being careful with money as Mama would take Daddy to work so they both could use the car.  She would pick him up after work, then we would all go to the property and work on the house until dark.

The home was a Jim Walter home and Daddy and mama figured out the rest using what  little resources and money they had. In a recent water leak at the property, some 60 years later, we found that Daddy used a spark plug to close up a water line. The funny thing was the spark plug was still working. It was a break in a corner coupling that had given way.  We all had to laugh at his ingeniuity.

By the time I was 10 we were swimming and having pool parties at our  20 x 40 sized swimming pool we had dug with our own hands.  Because my parents had no “real” money, there was no renting a bucket truck so everyone had a shovel and we would shovel until dark and drop into bed.  It took, days, and months to dig. To help the situation, Daddy used cinder blocks to raise the sides high. At end-result we had a pool with a 3 foot depth on one end and 6 1/2 footer at the other.  A liner was used on the sides and into the base of the pool and we used a deep well to fill it.

To make it really nice, our parents had purchased from the train station literally thousands of bricks so bricks were used for the top walk ways and coming down on the sides.  It actually was so pretty when finished. Here we were, people without money with a beautiful pool that made us feel like rich folk.

See you tomorrow

Sources: Vaughan Publishing, Nannette V. Ramey 

Category: Family, Finances, History, Westside | Comments Off on Our Olympic-Sized Pool
March 11

Johnny Grant- Dooley

“Metro Jacksonville Archive” has an article that is titled “Myrtle Avenue Warehouse District”.  Well, today, I can confirm that is true.  I saw the biggest warehouse of random “stuff” that I’ve ever seen!  As they say, “There are no words”.  And, “there are no words!”

Myrtle and 18th Warehouse

Tim Gilmore wrote an article in December of 2025  titled “Step Inside the Underworld Catacombs of John Grant Dooley’s Old Brick Warehouse and Wonderland!”  I read the article and made a visit to see it but found no success on the first try. There was a huge warehouse on the corner of Myrtle and 18th Street. It was beautifully painted and even had huge people-artwork on it. My understanding was that the warehouse was open on Tuesdays from 9-noon but I’ve found out since that’s not necessarily so. 

The day I went (and begged my youngest daughter to go with me), the place was on lock down. ( Even the big 12 foot tall gate was locked!). I waited by the gate past 9 am just in case I got the time wrong but no one came.  Disappointed, I wrote a note leaving my phone number and taped it to the keyless mechanical gate lock and we drove away.  

Fast forward a few days and I got a call from “Johnny”,  the owner himself that the warehouse would be open on the following Tuesday at 9 so again, I planned to go and again, begged the youngest to go with me.

When Tuesday came, I confirmed with the daughter and we met inside the open gate of this huge over 40,000 foot warehouse.

Before we entered, we actually met John Grant-Dooley. I’ll guess he’s in his late 70’s, quite friendly and passing the time outside of his warehouse as folks were coming in and out of the building. 

It was a cool day in February.  He was beginning a fire near the back entrance. Right away he was friendly and talkative. I introduced myself and said, “You must be Johnathan”. He said, “Johnny”.  I corrected myself  and said, “Yes, Johnny”. Then I told him I was the one who left a note on the mechanical lock box and I thanked him for calling me.  He said he did not want me to miss the “opportunity to be overwhelmed.” He had told me to bring a flashlight which I did. And,   overwhelmed is an understatement.

Johnny

The outside is beautifully painted in a blue background with the Black community honored with faces and such. Upon coming in the back gate, there is a lot of “stuff” at the large warehouse-size open door.  Upon entering, the stuff, and that means anything from dolls, to money bags,  instruments, saddles, busts, wheels, screws, hammers, photographs, posters, artwork, postcards, books, lamps, buckets, signs, wheel barrows, etc. ( I could fill this page with descriptions). Anything you can imagine and more are lining the floor, on shelves, in cubbies and the like. In some areas, you skinny through a pathway only to have to exit a different way. It’s truly “something you’ll have to see to believe”. 

Posters and Frames and, and, and…

The two of us went in and right away were as Johnny said “overwhelmed”. The building is a 40,000 square-foot brick building that will certainly take you back in time like to the Beatles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, kings and queens, forest animals Tiffany lamps, dozens and dozens and dozens and dozens of horse saddles,  dozens and dozens and dozens and dozens of movie posters. I could go on.  

Awards of every kind

Over the years Johnny owned  businesses such as the Five Points Theatre, Fans and Stoves and Ugly Junk.  I’m not sure what he calls this business but when I asked how it all began he said he said that for many years he and his family decorated restaurants like chilli’s, Ruby Tuesdays and such. That’s when it all made sense.

Upon leaving, I talked with Johnny as he sat in front of the fire he made and the warehouse he  built. He said he was the “White example of Sanford and Sons.”  I liked that program. It overwhelmed me too.

See you tomorrow and maybe at the warehouse,

Sources: Metro Jacksonville, Tim Gilmore, Johnny Grant-Dooley, Vaughan Publishing, Nannette V. Ramey.

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March 10

Stranded!

[IMPORTANT- The homeless situation is tragic. There is no attempt to make fun or make light of anyone in this situation. While this is a true story, empathy and help is still offered.]

“Stranded- being left in a remote, inconvenient, or isolated place, unable to leave due to lack of transportation, money or other circumstances, such being marooned or stuck during a disaster. It often implies feeling of helplessness, abandonment, or being “cut off”” and can refer  to people, animals or …”

If ever there was a good representation for a homeless person, I’d say “stranded” is a perfect description.   Yesterday during late after noon traffic, while getting off of Jacksonville’s I-295 near Orange Park, a man was walking the midway area between cars pandhandling.  In February of 2023, Jacksonville’s city council  passed a law “prohibiting soliciting, exchanging money or goods, and standing in medians for extended periods, carrying penalties of up to $100 fine and 10 days in jail”. 

But, there was Tom.  He’s probably in his 60,s, seemingly able-bodied, and… homeless.  The traffic was really congested and at this time but looking good for him as he dodged the rows of automobiles going to one and then another.  I even heard a passenger in a front car yell out to him and he went running gathering whatever tender hearts would give.  He even landed some Dunkin’ Donuts which he immediately opened and began eating. No one seemed to get fined or arrested this time.

A local news report (still up on the internet)  tells a tale that in 2024 the homeless population was a mere 290 people. I put a question mark here. ? Just in the 32254 area, I can count over 50 just in the small neighborhood so the homeless problem in our city is certainly greater than most people understand. There were approximately 1,009,833 people in Jacksonville in 2024. I would guess there were thousands of homeless in the city if you count every zip code. There are 54 zip codes.

Homeless people are truly stranded.  They walk everywhere they go. Their area is, for the most part, limited to the neighborhood. Sometimes they get a bike but due to the elements and all that goes with homelessness, it does not generally last long and theft among thieves is very high. ( I’m not saying all homeless are thieves but desperation brings out the worst in people). 

Again, I remind those who have Christ in them.  Sharing the Gospel with a stranded person is the one and ONLY thing that can change them. Yes, give something if your heart desires to help, but most of all, say the name of Jesus to them. He is their one and only home. 

We are all stranded without Christ.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources: Jacksonville are news reporter, Google AI overview, Vaughan Publishing, Nannette V. Ramey.

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March 9

Jacksonville Collector Extraordinaire

On February 20, Jason Wittkopp wrote on his “Jacksonville Florida History/Collecting” page,  “You’ll never know what’s out there if you don’t go”.  On Tuesday, February 24, 2026  my daughter and I were deep in the two story, 40,000 square foot , crammed with everything imaginable warehouse off of 18th and Myrtle when a guy was high on a ladder pulling and pushing different metal signs.   He offered to get down so we could pass but there was no reason as we could simple go the next aisle.  Knowing I was going to write about the warehouse, I asked him if I could take a photo.

Jason Wittkopp, collector

Then I asked him his first name and if he worked there .  As soon as he  said his name and turned to answer “My name is Jason.  No,I don’t work here.  I’m a Jacksonville collector”. I said “Whittkopp?”, “Jason Wittkopp”.. I knew exactly who he was. How fun!  I happen to be a member of his collectibles site.

Jason was born in Portsmith, Va and moved to Jacksonville when he was 5.  He says he’s been collecting since he was young but began a serious go of it in his 40’s.  He’s now 51 and even while working a full time job he takes at least a one day a week and in addition online time, collects treasures.  I was interested to know where he kept all of his findings and he said “Unfortunately for my wife, at my home”, although he said he did have another place as well.   He said that while she was not a collector she understood about his love to collect and keep his finds. 

One thing that I love that he got was a very large Greenleaf and Crosby(now Jacobs Jewelers)  mantle clock.  Greenleaf and Crosby was founded in 1868 in Jacksonville by Damon Greenleaf and J. H. Crosby, Jr.  They are recognised as the oldest jeweller in the city. They operated as a family-owned business for over 40 years. In 1901 a Seth Thomas clock was located at the corner of Bay Street and later moved to the corner of Laura and Adams where it now stands. It is often called the Jacobs Jewelers clock. In 1930, V.E. Jacobs acquired the business and it was renamed Jacobs Jewellers. The store closed in 2023 and the building will now house residents.

With over 9,000 members to his Jacksonville Florida History/collecting  Facebook site, he has a lot to offer.  Other finds that Jacob share with his followers are those such as baseball ticket stubs, signs, bottles, phonebooks, luggage tags, jugs, mugs, ceramic souvenir items, photographs and more.   Check his site out. It won’t disappoint.   He also offers items on eBay so there’s that.

Oh, and I’ll be out and about soon because as Jason says, “You’ll never know what’s out there if you don’t go”

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources: Facebook, Jacksonville Florida History/Collecting, Google Search, Vaughan Publishing, Nannette V. Ramey.

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March 8

Jacksonville’s River Run

My brother and I ran the River Run one time.  That was back in the day when I had sandy blonde hair without grey strands.There is no forgetting that the most difficult place in the run for me was the Hart Bridge.  Yes, the one with a 140-foot vertical climb over the St. Johns River.   It was on that bridge that Pat literally pushed me up the bridge towards a successful finish. The 2026 announcer at the starting gate reminded the thousands of runners at the Shipyards area about this difficult lasts leg of the run.

 

The Gate River Run, which it is now officially called, is a 15-kilometer run first held in 1978.  At this writing, there are more than 20,000 runners who participate in this huge event. In 2026, the day before the run, Race Roster posted these words: “River Run events are SOLD OUT . Thank you”. 

Being wildly popular, the annual River Run is  one that attracts competitive and fun-runners.  Since 2007, it has been the largest 15-k run in the country.  That is something to be proud of for Jacksonville, the 10th most populous city at this time in the United States. 

The Jacksonville Track Club (now JTC Running)  is credited to having established the River Run 15,000,  with the first sponsor as the Florida Publishing Company.  At that time, the FPC published The Florida Times-Union and the Jacksonville Journal. Early records show the organizers met first at theYMCA and before long this run was a literal go.

Over the years, the run has gained momentum and today it stands as a premier running event for many world athelets and fun-runners alike. The early expectations for the first 1978 run was over a thousand participants but it ended up with at least 2, 800 entries.  In 2013 there were over 17,000 runners. The day before the race in 2026, it took some participants over an hour to get down San Jose Blvd to the place set up to sign in and get their bib numbers. in Mandarin where the River Run Expo was set people from all over traveled to up to sign in and pick up their bib numbers, get some freebies from vendors and even shop a little at the in-house store set up just for this event.  More runners had signed up than ever before in the race.

At this writing, the top men finish the race in about 45 minutes while women follow with some 51- 55 minutes. The rewards are many: personal satisfaction, a t-shirt, ribbon, medal and top runners get cash awards.  

In my younger years, I was so happy to participate in runs and have many bibs to prove it.  This year, I walked through the River Run expo rewarding myself with pens, pencils, key chains and other freebies from the event sponsors.  It was a great walk through the expo. I was also happy to watch others run on race day.  

See you tomorrow,

Nan

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March 7

The First of 40 Civil Rights Markers

On February 25, 2026, the first of 40 U. S. Civil Rights Trail markers was unveiled at Mount Ararat Missionary Baptist Church on Myrtle Street in Jacksonville, Florida. With a nice crowd of people, Isaiah Mack, a Douglas Anderson student sung “Aint Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round” and the mayor of Jacksonville Donna Deegan spoke along with other prominent  speakers. 

It was March 19, 1961 that Martin Luther King, Jr. preached at Mt. Ararat Baptist church  on Myrtle Avenue in Jacksonville, Florida, giving his “This is a Great Time to Be Alive” sermon. The event was sponsored by the Duval County Citizens Benefit Corporation along with the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance.  King was president of the Christian Leadership Conference and was focused on growing the civil rights movement. His words resounded with resistance but in a non-violent context.

 King would return to Jacksonville in 1964 when he met Rev. Andrew Young and his wife at the Jacksonville Imeson Airport on the way to St. Augustine.  There had been marches and demonstrations in downtown St. Augustine, near the old slave market and sit-ins at restaurants along with church pray-ins and the like  since 1963. Florida Jacksonville’s Times-Union writer, Jessie-Lynne Kerr was a 26-year old reporter of only three months when she was assigned to this story.  With demonstrations in St. Augustine a hearing was set to stop the groups and King came with his what he called “nonviolent army” to bring justice.

In St. Augustine, Martin Luther King, Jr. went to the Manson Motor Lodge restaurant asking to be served.  When refused, he  along with 17 in his group were arrested for not leaving when asked.  King was  taken to jail.  The next day, he was brought to the Duval county jail it is believed for safety reasons.  He testified in federal court the following day.   Kerr reported that King told the judge the Southern Conference League was “an organization devoted to the task of achieving citizenship rights of Negroes through methods of nonviolence.”

Seventeen days after this incident, the  Civil Rights act of 1964 was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Jacksonville’s history is significant to document the successes and struggles of the Civil Rights movement.

Sources: Wikipedia,  Associated Press, Florida Times-Union, Jessie-Lynn Kerr, Vaughan Publishing, Nannette V. Ramey.

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March 6

Durkeeville-Hit ‘Em Out of The Park

As I was leaving Durkeeville, a little unique community on the Northside of Jacksonville, I traveled past the James Small baseball park established in 1912. While driving, I saw three guys scrambling all around the grounds.  They were young, dressed in orange and black shirts and looked college-age.  With a bit of time on my hands,  I turned back and spoke to the young men. They were students at Edward Waters University and had been practicing baseball on the field. 

Over the years it has had different names, Barrs Field, Myrtle Avenue Ball Park and others, but the one I remember most was Durkee Field. The land had once been owned by Joseph Durkee a former Union officer during the Civil War. Durkee’s son later turned the field over to the President of the Jacksonville Baseball Association, Amander Barrs. Because it was on Myrtle Avenue, it took on the name “Myrtle field” I knew it was historic having the great Hank Aaron and Jackie Robinson play there years past. 

The City of Jacksonville eventually purchased the park for $348,000.  Following a fire that destroyed the original stadium another was built in 1936 which  opened the field up for the Negro league and the Jacksonville Red Caps.  By the 1970’s the field had received little maintenance and had fallen into disrepair. The City Council took on the task to save the park and in 1980 it was renovated and renamed J. P. Small Park in honor of a teacher and band director from the old Stanton School . From then until now many have used the field including Edward College University. 

Vladimir Blanco spoke up first telling me that balls had been “hit out of the park” and they were scrambling to retrieve them.  I asked about their team and all three seemed excited to be a part.  Blanco was a junior and playing at catcher and pitcher.   Joseph Di Cesare was a sophomore from Maracay, Venezuela playing as catcher and J.C. Medina was a graduate assistant and part of the coaching staff. 

I learned that it has a small museum inside and in 2013 was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Drop by if you get a chance. You might meet some real sluggers.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

P.S. I had a photo made of the guys and put a gift card with it. They will think Mama’s in town.

Sources:  Wikipedia, Google AI Overview, National Register of Historic Places, Vaughan Publishing, Nannette V. Ramey

Category: Parks, People, Sports | Comments Off on Durkeeville-Hit ‘Em Out of The Park
March 5

“Get a Job”

Fair Warning- This blog may make you heavy or uncomfortable. 

[IMPORTANT- The homeless situation is tragic. There is no attempt to make fun or make light of anyone in this situation. While this is a true story, empathy, sympathy and help is still offered.]

Never in a million years would I have thought I would be an advocate for the homeless.  For so long, when I’ve seen them on the street corners, I’ve thought, and sighed aloud to myself or under my breath, “Get a job”.  I would never give them money to buy drugs. Never. (Oh, and as they say, “Never say never.”)

In 2012 after thirty-six years teaching, I retired and used my drop money to buy some properties in a low-income area of the city. Some of the places needed roof work, some needed flooring and the list goes on. I have family who would be willing to help but these projects take serious time and my family members  have their own lives so I looked for other ways to get the jobs done. Being in a low-income area, there were a lot of homeless camps and people roaming the streets.

I would see a guy on a bike in the area and I’d stop him and say, “Hi, I need some flooring work done, do you do that and are you willing to help?”  With the homeless, the answer is always, “Yes” so I had able-bodied people to help.  What was never clear until working with them was if they really could do the job.(That story is for another day).

There are different groups in life.  There are people with ailments, disabilities, gifts to sing, talents to create, jobs to build, and on and on.  The homeless are in a group all by themselves.  Just like other groups have specific characteristics, so do the homeless. The homeless are driven. Just like the opera singer at the most prestigious concert hall, the singer focuses on one thing- singing.  The homeless (on a whole) focus on one thing- how to make money to pay for their habit of choice?  

Yes, there are homeless who have mental issues, however, my experience is that the majority of homeless have a drug of choice problem and live to get that drug.

Regarding characteristics of the homeless: They are pack rats, dirty, messy, appear lazy(but so many are not), often late, don’t follow through, have trouble getting places and there’s more but that’s a start.

In working with the homeless, I’ve come to know them as people with a name and a story to tell.  While they do not generally tell too much, in working with them you get to know a lot about them and find that they too have feelings, dreams, families and needs.

Where I stand now with the homeless is that it is definitely up to the Church to step in. Every single person who is in the body of Christ should witness to every single homeless person they see. Give them Jesus.  That’s it!  That would be the only thing to change their lives and yes, sometimes that means telling them about Jesus then shaking that hand with a bill in it.  

Ever single church in the city of Jacksonville should have some type of ministry for the homeless . The number one goal should be that the homeless hear the Gospel of Christ that saves and importantly that delivers.

There is NO other way for them to change without God and there is a church on every corner who should know God and offer Him to those in need.

So I say to the church, not the homeless person- “Please… if you don’t already have one, “Set up a job” with a ministry to share Christ with the homeless who are desperate to know Him. Jesus could transform their lives ( and yours.)

See you Tomorrow,

Nan

March 4

Lucky Chase- Lucky to Get Back Home

It was February 7th, 2018 and we still have fond remembrances of Lucky Chase.

Lucky Chase

Mandarin, Florida is considered a “charming, historic suburb in southernmost Jacksonville, Florida.”  It is widely known for the beautiful and very large oak trees; some in the middle of the roads.  Its rich history of Harriet Beecher Stowe, orange groves and Spanish moss is only accentuated by the beautiful St. Johns River that runs along Mandarin’s banks.  Because of the St. Johns River, there are a great many tributaries that run in and around Mandarin.  There are a lot of ponds, creeks and lakes.  One area known to so many is Lake Mandarin, a community of 312 homes including some single-family and others patio/cluster homes.  Lake Mandarin homes back up to waterways.

These small lakes attract a variety of animals.- including Great Blue Herons, egrets, river otters, turtles, snakes and a variety of fish.  While large birds do fly in and out, it has been unusual to find peacocks in back yards and yet in 2018 that is exactly what happened.

Lake Mandarin

While leaving the Lake Mandarin subdivision on a Wednesday morning in 2018, a very large pea fowl was crossing the road at Loretto and Gwenford. Loretto is a well-traveled road and not one for animals to share.  Gwenford does back up to a St. Johns creek tributary but where the peacock was walking was away from the water and it was as if he was lost and confused.  Being in my truck, I pulled over to the right side of the road and let the bird pass.  The traffic was heavy and there was concern for the animal’s safety, so I got out of my truck thinking I would carefully shoo the bird toward the back of the homes but with traffic and yard fences, it would not work. 

At that time, the third house on the road had its garage door wide open so when I walked toward the bird, he felt he had no where to go but in the garage. The owner of the home blocked the back door opening and I gathered up the peacock in my arms.  Carefully holding him tight and making sure his long tail was extended, I took him to my truck, wrestled the door open, pointed his feathered tail toward the inside right door and slid into the driver’s seat; bird in arms. 

Screenshot

Having at least 60 chickens of my own at the time, I had accommodations for the bird and immediately put him in run # 1; the largest pen I had. He would not fit in the hen house so at night, I secured him in a large box pen that I used for new mother and babies.  Every day he would stay in the run with the chickens and at night I would put him in the large box for safe keeping. That first day we named him “Lucky Chase” because a friend of mine, Lois was talking about him being saved was a “luck chase” for him.  

Wondering what to do with Lucky Chase, I posted on Facebook that I had found a large male peacock and suggested all to ask around to find out who may know of its owner.  For over a week nothing came of the post until somewhere around February 19th,  a young lady contacted me saying her mother was missing a peacock that frequented their backyard lake on  a street about 2 miles from where he was found.  She felt that might be the peacock.  

The neighbors all came to meet him.

On Wednesday, February 21, we arranged to meet at her location.  My daughter and I took Lucky Chase in the van where there was more room for the long feathered sweep.  Many of the neighbours all came to see and sure enough, they all acted and reacted happy together; even Lucky Chase.  He was back home.

Even the ducks came out to meet and greet.

As much as I wanted to keep him, I knew he needed to return to his lake where I’m sure he’s lived happily ever after. I know his human was happy too. 

See you tomorrow,

Nan

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March 3

“Kiss of Life” A Divine Appointment

Rocco Morobito told others many years ago that he “was a believer”.

Photo given to Nan Ramey’s Class by Mr. Morobito, 2014

In 1968, The Kiss of Life photograph could be found on the front page of newspapers around the world. Even now, the photograph is celebrated on sites like Tic Tok, Instagram, Facebook, You Tube, news Channels and more. Even “Find A Grave” has a huge spread that tells the whole story. Those who work in the linesman industry say this event changed the way training was done. Certainly, it changed the families and friends of those close to the event.

Pulitzer Prize Winner explaining event.(Photo-Ramey)

Probably no one would have believed it but for the fact that Rocco Morobito captured it all on film.   Morabito was a Jacksonville Journal photographer.  He told the 4th grade students at Greenland Pines Elementary School in Jacksonville, Florida on September 4, 1994  that when he left for work that day, it was a normal work day as he was headed to get photos of the train strike. On the way there he saw linemen working on the poles near 26th and Grunthal.   Following his trip to the train area he went back by the electricians only to witnessed a linesman slumped on a pole only held only by his harness. 

Rocco Morobito holding Pulitzer photo (Photo-Ramey)

Randall Champion had contacted a low voltage wire which shocked him and left him unconscious and hanging at the top of the power pole.  One of the lineman working near him that day, J. D. Thompson  realized what happened, took action and scaled up the pole giving Champion mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and saving his life.  

Morobito happened to be at the ground level capturing it all on film which would later be a Pulitzer Prize winning photograph for News Photography.  It was named, “The Kiss of Life”.  

Mr. Morobito told the Greenland Pines’ students that on the way home he stopped by St. Paul’s, went in and knelt at the alter lifting up a prayer. He said to a reporter once, “I told you long ago that I am a believer” and when asked what made him drop back by where the JEA workers were, his response was, “ I believe in divine guidance…”   

Champion lived to the age of 64 and is buried at Restlawm Memorial cemetery.   Rocco Morobito died April 5, 2009 at the age of 88.  He is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville. In 2024, J. D. Thompson, using a cane, was” honored with a City Council Proclamation commending him for his 1967 rescue of fellow lineman Randall Champion.”

I’d say it was a divine appointment.

Champion and Thompson at the Lineman Museum.(Photo-museum)

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources: Jacksonville Journal, Jacksonville Daily Record, You Tube, Greenland Pines Elementary, Rocco Morobito,  Nannette V. Ramey, 

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