Roy D. Etheridge Tribute

Mr. Roy D. Etheridge will always be a part of me.  I had some emotional problems due to a bad home life and this wonderful gentlemen found out about my interest in photography and he, along with Mrs Swain, (the science teacher who was equally wonderful to me, and I will soon create a tribute to her and post that link here, since the two worked together to help me) encouraged me, going extraordinarily far to nurture this interest which helped me get through these rough times. 

Mr. Etheridge loaned me his personal camera, a now ancient Polaroid Land Camera and even purchased film for it, making it easy for me to have some fun and to learn about photography.  I was allowed to get out of some classes to take pictures through a microscope in Mrs. Swain's Science lab.  I took pictures of bird's nests, fence rows, old barns in the country--anything that interested me.  This was an act of love and caring I had not really known before.

Through all this photographic activity, I was given a good reason to be away from my toxic family and I flourished with good feelings and great experiences. 

I took some pictures of farm animals at my grandfather's and entered them in a local art show, where I brought home blue ribbons.  I received praise and further encouragement from him.

I regret never having contacted him to thank him for all that he had done and these words I am writing now simply do not do justice to thanks him for the gift of love and great kindness he placed in my life.

If God and heaven do exist, I know he is being rewarded for what good works he gave me while he was briefly on this planet.  I thank God for him, and for the other teachers who worked with him in the endeavor to help save me from my own family.  I will never be able to thank him properly now and I would do anything to get a chance to tell him "Thankyou for your love".