I was born June 17, 1945 in Cincinnati, Ohio. We lived in a small town called Cheviot, Ohio. In 1957 my folks transplanted us to Phoenix, AZ which has been home ever since. In 1957 while at the Railway Express office with my father, I noticed an injured feral pigeon. While my dad was in the office, I caught the bird and hid it in my jacket and took it home. When I arrived home I made a makeshift cage and thus the beginning of my pigeon keeping. While in the Boy Scouts, they offered a Pigeon Keeping Merit Badge and an elderly gentleman provided Racing Homer pairs for those that were interested. I jumped at the chance. I still didn't know a whole lot about pigeons other than they were neat birds. An older boy really conned me and traded 8 feral pigeons for my 4 Racing Homers. I thought I was really getting a deal. I met Mr. E. S. McSweeny who I had heard of and finally got to meet. He helped me get rid of all of my feral pigeons and introduced me to the world of Fancy Pigeons. Mac became my mentor. As a promise to Mac, I was to learn all I could about pigeons and become an all breeds pigeon judge. Becoming an all breeds pigeon judge is a never ending learning experience as standards change constantly. I have raised many breeds of fancy pigeons over the years. At present I raise Old

German Owls, Old Dutch Capuchines, Voorburg Shield Croppers, Brunner Pouters, and Racing Homers.

In 1983 I got started racing Racing Homers and have ever since. I belong to many clubs and hold offices in many of them. I am Race Secretary for the Phoenix Racing Pigeon Club as well as their Secretary/Treasurer. I am the President of the West Valley Combine racing pigeon organization, Vice President of the Old German Owl Club, Secretary/Treasurer of The American Friends of the Brunner Cropper club, Past President of the Northamerican Capuchine Club, Past Show Secretary and now current President of the Arizona Pigeon Club. I am also the Superintendent of the Pigeon Exhibit for the Arizona State Fair and have been since 1990. I also belong to the International Federation of Racing Pigeon Fanciers and the Arizona Federation of Racing Pigeon Fanciers.

My favorite color in pigeons is Andalusian (spread Indigo). I have that color in every breed of pigeon that I raise except Old German Owls and I am working on that.

I have been employeed by the U.S. Postal Service since Oct. of 1970 and have been eligible to retire since June 17, 2000. I haven't as yet decided to give it up. I married my childhood sweatheart, Carol, in 1971. We have 3 children: James, Timothy, and Corrine and now 6 Grandchildren.

My goal for the future is that I can make the Arizona Pigeon Club a very reputable club that could be the forefront of all pigeon organizations. I want children to know that pigeon raising is a good hobby, keep the juniors showing pigeons and even racing them, and help juniors learn pigeon raising is a fun and educational experience.