Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

Rick
Her name was Jean,Ernie's sister. Happy New Year

Jean Terrell (born Velma Jean Terrell, November 26, 1944, Belzoni, Mississippi) is an American R&B and jazz singer, known for having replaced Diana Ross in The Supremes in 1970.

Biography

Early life and career
She is the sister of the former WBA heavyweight boxing champion, Ernie Terrell, who famously fought Muhammad Ali.

Moving from Belzoni, Mississippi to Chicago for a better life at an early age, Jean Terrell was guided by her family to sing, and it was in the late 1960s that she and her brother formed a group called Ernie Terrell and the Heavyweights.

The Supremes
It was while singing in Miami, Florida where Motown president Berry Gordy discovered the 24 year old singer performing with her brother at a club in Miami Beach. Looking for a replacement for his protegée, singer Diana Ross, who was leaving the group she had fronted during most of the 1960s, The Supremes, for a solo career, Gordy first signed Terrell to Motown as a solo artist, but then decided to drop her into The Supremes as Ross's replacement alongside continuing, fellow members Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong. Terrell then recorded much of the new post Ross Supremes material in the studios, and rehearsed the group's new act during the day with Wilson and Birdsong, while Ross, Wilson and Birdsong performed as Diana Ross & The Supremes at night.

After Ross's farewell show with the group at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas on January 14, 1970. Terrell made instant impact fronting the new Supremes, recording prolifically and successfully with several of Motown's top producers. The revitalised Supremes scored more chart success right from the beginning of the new decade; "Up the Ladder to the Roof", "Stoned Love", "River Deep Mountain High" (with The Four Tops), "Nathan Jones", and "Floy Joy." After the success of "Floy Joy," Birdsong quit to start a family and was replaced by Lynda Laurence (a former member of Stevie Wonder's group Wonderlove). Despite the successes, toward the end of '73, Terrell and Laurence decided to leave. Both were unhappy with Motown's lack of interest in promoting the Supremes and Mary Wilson's announcement that her then-husband (with no previous showbusiness or management experience) would be the new manager the group; in addition, Laurence was expecting a child at the time. So Scherrie Payne replaced Terrell as lead singer and Cindy Birdsong returned to replace Laurence.

Later career and current work
Signing a contract with A&M Records, Terrell had finished a solo recording, I Had To Fall in Love, in 1978 but due to her Jehovah's Witness beliefs disagreeing with promoting the recording in a specific way the record label wanted, she semi-retired. In the early 1980s Terrell put together a one woman show and did limited touring throughout the United States. Her act consisted of several Supremes songs, songs from her solo album and cover versions of songs by Bette Midler and Lionel Richie. Friend and former Supreme Lynda Laurence would often perform background vocals for Terrell during these tours. Another who performed backing vocals for Terrell during these tours was Freddi Poole, now the long-standing member of Scherrie & Lynda's group the F.L.O.S. (former ladies of THE SUPREMES).

Scherrie was approached by Superstar International records for a Supremes' reunion record project and from this the Former Ladies of the Supremes (FLOS for short) with Terrell and Laurence was born in 1986; Jean left the FLOS to pursue business interests and was replaced by Laurence's sister, Sundray Tucker who, after several years with the FLOS exited leaving the path clear for Freddi Poole to join and she remains in the line-up today. Terrell has since released a biographical DVD of her life and has continued to sing onstage with jazz musicians.

[kikibalt]

Thanks To Frank I am getting the hang of this picture editing and posting. Thought this one would interest you guys. Apologies if it has been posted before.

Thanks for that great photo, Rob, don't think it has been posted before.

[kikibalt]

Rafael Herrera

September, 1969. I'm 17, a senior in high school, been boxing for more than five years, now an amateur, former Jr. Golden Gloves champ, Golden Gloves and AAU champ, fought in two Nat'l tournaments, would turn pro in eight months. Nothing more, nothing less. Worked with a lot of good pros in the gym, some world class.

I decide to skip school. Grades were good, didn't matter. I was going to be a pro boxer, no education required, at least not what the Burbank School District could provide. I was heading to the Main Street Gym for an early mid-week workout. Larry Soto talks to Johnnie Flores and I'm set to box with this top bantam, Rafael Herrera. Three rounds. I pressed him, he let me work myself out and then, with about thirty seconds left, when I'd spent my rounds worth of energy, he'd lower the boom with some hooks that I shall never forget.

Three rounds. He played me, wore me out, the let the bombs fly. I defied him by staying on my feet, but I'll never forget his blurry image kinda floating from side-to-side in my altered vision. You kinda float into a weird feeling of deja vu, for lack of a better word. If this equates to a concussion (?) then I probably picked up a couple that day. I survived, enjoyed watching Bobby Chacon kick his ass in the gym, but never got my own revenge. Now he wants to be inducted into the WBHOF.

Don't worry, just kidding guys, he'll be on the ballot again '09. He was a helluva fighter.

-Ricardo

Rick, man, I love these memories of yours from the gym.
Ive had similar experiences with established pros.One was with a guy named Louie Mateo who I mentioned a little earlier.He fought Randy Shields and Pipino Cuevas.
He unloaded some bombs on me in the gym when I first turned pro.He had already fought Shields and was too much for me at that point. But just as you did with Herrera,I hung in there.
I never forgot it though.
Anyway, I gotta mention, Im in Vail, Skiing with the family and have been spending time with some local ski people.I love the time with my wife and kids so its all great.
But,the locals who we are spending time with , bore the hell out of me with ski talk.
The more I listen , the more I appreciate the time sitting in that Hotel bar with you and the rest of the crew talking about boxing and other more pertinent subjects.
Out here, the heros are freakin ski instructors.
That aint the way it is in our world my friend.

The first time I seen Rafael Herrera fight live or other wise was in 1968, the night he fought an up and comer, Lenny Brice, who Jackie McCoy was working with, most of us at that time knew nothing about Herrera, man, did he do a job on Brice, after the fight I was down in the dressing room with Jackie,and all Jackie could say was,"Man that guy is good" indeed he was....

[kikibalt]

Rick, remember Johnny Jensen? used to fight out of the Teamsters,
when he was fighting in the Jr's

Johnny Jensen

Country USA
Global Id 233
Division Featherweight


Career Record © www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1982-03-11 Julio Cesar Chavez Tijuana, Mexico L KO 3
1981-07-24 Antonio Becerra Mazatlan, Mexico L TKO 10
1981-03-03 Juan Escobar Tijuana, Mexico L KO 6
1977-11-17 Herman Montes Los Angeles, USA L KO 5
1977-11-10 Francisco Flores Los Angeles, USA L PTS 10
1977-10-13 Rene Silva Los Angeles, USA L PTS 10
1977-05-04 Cornelio Vega San Francisco, USA W KO 8
1977-04-07 Fidel Frajo Los Angeles, USA L PTS 6
1977-03-20 Manuel Castellanos Las Vegas, USA D PTS 8
1977-01-21 Manuel Castellanos Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1976-10-14 Francisco Flores Los Angeles, USA D PTS 7
1976-09-16 Ray Saldivar Los Angeles, USA W KO 5
1976-07-26 Artemio Jeronimo Sacramento, USA D PTS 10
1976-05-11 Rudy Villagonza Honolulu, USA W PTS 8
1976-04-08 Ruben Castillo Los Angeles, USA L PTS 10
1976-02-24 Conrado Vasquez Honolulu, USA L PTS 10
1976-02-12 Frank Ahumada Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1976-01-15 Francisco Flores Los Angeles, USA D PTS 6
1975-11-08 Carlos Garcia Los Angeles, USA W PTS 5
1975-07-19 Tino Gonzalez Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1975-06-21 Frankie Granados Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1975-06-12 Frankie Granados Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1975-03-06 Jose Del Rio Los Angeles, USA L PTS 6
1975-01-16 Jose Del Rio Los Angeles, USA L PTS 6
1974-12-12 Alfonso del Gadillo Los Angeles, USA W KO 2
1974-11-21 Jose Del Rio Los Angeles, USA W PTS 4
1974-10-24 Yoshihiro Shikauchi Los Angeles, USA L PTS 5
1974-09-12 Juan Lopez Los Angeles, USA W KO 1
1974-09-05 Juan Lopez Los Angeles, USA W PTS 4
1974-08-15 Hector Medina Los Angeles, USA W PTS 5
1974-08-08 Carlos Estrada Los Angeles, USA W KO 3

Record to Date
Won 15 (KOs 5) Lost 12 Drawn 4 Total 31

[bennie]

Thanks To Frank I am getting the hang of this picture editing and posting. Thought this one would interest you guys. Apologies if it has been posted before.

Thanks for that great photo, Rob, don't think it has been posted before.

Great shot, Rob. If I say so myself, I look a little bit like "Bennie" Georgino.

[bennie]

Rick, remember Johnny Jensen? used to fight out of the Teamsters,
when he was fighting in the Jr's

Johnny Jensen

Country USA
Global Id 233
Division Featherweight


Career Record © http://www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1982-03-11 Julio Cesar Chavez Tijuana, Mexico L KO 3
1981-07-24 Antonio Becerra Mazatlan, Mexico L TKO 10
1981-03-03 Juan Escobar Tijuana, Mexico L KO 6
1977-11-17 Herman Montes Los Angeles, USA L KO 5
1977-11-10 Francisco Flores Los Angeles, USA L PTS 10
1977-10-13 Rene Silva Los Angeles, USA L PTS 10
1977-05-04 Cornelio Vega San Francisco, USA W KO 8
1977-04-07 Fidel Frajo Los Angeles, USA L PTS 6
1977-03-20 Manuel Castellanos Las Vegas, USA D PTS 8
1977-01-21 Manuel Castellanos Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1976-10-14 Francisco Flores Los Angeles, USA D PTS 7
1976-09-16 Ray Saldivar Los Angeles, USA W KO 5
1976-07-26 Artemio Jeronimo Sacramento, USA D PTS 10
1976-05-11 Rudy Villagonza Honolulu, USA W PTS 8
1976-04-08 Ruben Castillo Los Angeles, USA L PTS 10
1976-02-24 Conrado Vasquez Honolulu, USA L PTS 10
1976-02-12 Frank Ahumada Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1976-01-15 Francisco Flores Los Angeles, USA D PTS 6
1975-11-08 Carlos Garcia Los Angeles, USA W PTS 5
1975-07-19 Tino Gonzalez Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1975-06-21 Frankie Granados Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1975-06-12 Frankie Granados Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1975-03-06 Jose Del Rio Los Angeles, USA L PTS 6
1975-01-16 Jose Del Rio Los Angeles, USA L PTS 6
1974-12-12 Alfonso del Gadillo Los Angeles, USA W KO 2
1974-11-21 Jose Del Rio Los Angeles, USA W PTS 4
1974-10-24 Yoshihiro Shikauchi Los Angeles, USA L PTS 5
1974-09-12 Juan Lopez Los Angeles, USA W KO 1
1974-09-05 Juan Lopez Los Angeles, USA W PTS 4
1974-08-15 Hector Medina Los Angeles, USA W PTS 5
1974-08-08 Carlos Estrada Los Angeles, USA W KO 3

Record to Date
Won 15 (KOs 5) Lost 12 Drawn 4 Total 31

This guy had a brave manager.

[bennie]

Movie comedian Stan Laurel accused of planning to bury wife in backyard


Stan Laurel and wife No. 4 Illiana (or, according to a revised count, wife No. 3)

They drank, they fought and they got arrested. Such was the whirlwind year of marriage for Stan Laurel and Tovera Ivanova Shuvalova, a Russian singer who performed under the stage name Illiana (or sometimes Illeana).

When they met, Illiana, born Sept. 24, 1912, was 25 and the film comedian was 43 and freshly divorced. In fact, he was so recently divorced from Virginia Ruth Laurel (wife No. 2) that on Jan. 1, 1938, she stopped by the hotel where the newlyweds were staying to "consult with her ex-husband," according to The Times. Understand that this wasn't in Los Angeles but at the Del Ming Hotel in Yuma, Ariz.

Judging by news accounts, it wasn't a friendly call: "While others may have viewed the situation with a smile, says Laurel, it did not seem funny to him when Mrs. Laurel disturbed his honeymoon at Yuma, Ariz., with his recent bride ... with loud knocks at his hotel door and threats to have him arrested as a bigamist."

Everything was untangled, the divorce was upheld and in February, just to make sure, Stan and Illiana returned to Yuma to be married a second time.

What followed was about a month of bliss, then in April there was a lawsuit by Lois N. Laurel (wife No. 1, 1926-1933). [Note that Lois is sometimes listed as wife No. 2, but in 1937, Mae Laurel, Stan's longtime vaudeville partner, entered into an agreement in which she promised drop all contentions that they had a common law marriage from 1919 to 1925].

Lois wanted $1,355 ($19,751.14 USD 2007) a month support for their 10-year-old daughter, including $100 a month each for a chauffeur, governess and cook, $35 a month to entertain friends and $10 a month to visit beauty shops.

Despite two ceremonies, Illiana wanted a traditional wedding, so in April 1938, the Laurels took out a marriage license and got married again in a Russian Orthodox ceremony.

And then the storybook marriage became more of a Grimm's fairy tale.

lliana was sentenced to jail for hitting two parked cars in Beverly Hills while she was driving without a license.

Then it was Stan's turn in court for a drunk driving charge, which he blamed on being upset over Illiana rather than being intoxicated.

Before he was arrested, Stan said, he and Illiana had a fight in which she tried to hit him with the handset of a telephone, threatened him with a skillet full of potatoes and threw sand in his eyes. In the struggle, he put his arm through a window, Stan said.

"She has a terrific temper," he told the court.

By the end of 1938, Illiana sued for divorce, saying that Stan drank too much, "repulsed her efforts to show him affection, behaved rudely toward their friends and on several occasions remained away from home for several days at a time without explanation," The Times said.

The couple reconciled and Illiana began 1939 with a day in jail for the reckless driving charge, soon followed by an arrest for being drunk and disorderly in a nightclub "while loudly discussing the Russian situation with herself."

By March 1939, Illiana renewed her divorce case. She charged that Stan's account of their fighting was invented to avoid a drunk driving conviction that would cost him his movie contract. In fact, she said, on the night in question he planned to bury her alive in the backyard of their San Fernando Valley home. She said she was rescued by friends and that Stan was coming after her when he was arrested for driving on the wrong side of the road.

Their divorce was granted in May 1939 and they finalized an agreement in 1940 in which Illiana agreed to never publish anything about their relationship and that he had sole rights to dramatize "their stormy married life," The Times said.

Postscript: In 1942, Illiana was rescued after a fire broke out at the Radio Center Hotel in New York's Times Square. She had fled to the roof and was about to jump when firefighters saved her, The Times said. No further trace can be found of her.

In 1941, Stan remarried wife No. 2, Virginia Ruth, who filed for divorce in January 1946. On May 6, 1946, he married Ida Ketiva (Kitaeva) Raphael, widow of an internationally known concertina virtuoso named "Raphael Raphael Raphael."

"Another fine mess."

[Randyman]

Our Pug . . .

You know, Brian. Your professional boxing record shows that you never learned how to lose. In addition being an unbeaten heavyweight, you flattened 75% of your opposition. Now, you are nine years younger than me, but it sounds like you never learned to how to lose a boxing match. Next month, five days before I turn 57, you will turn 48.

How about a tune-up with another oldster, Holyfield, and after you win then a shot at Valuev. Don't you just love it when your friends have things all figured out for your future. My interest is this, you win the title, and in five years we induct you into the WBHOF. We'll have all the gang there, all of us will stand up and speak on your behalf at the podium, and by the time that's over, we'll just head off to the bar and tell stories. You get a world title to put on your resume and we all have a great story to tell. The title fight will sell out Soldier Field, a bunch of Californian's will invade Chicago to root for their amigo. Bennie will fly in from England.

Think of it. It would really add an edge to this thread, huh?

-Rick

God Bless you Rick.
You made my day.
What I would really love would be to see any of your fights at the Olympic back in the day.
I would also have loved to have seen Randys fight that Wide World of Sports televised.
I would also have loved being in the gym the day Rog got in there with Kenny Norton.
I would pay to watch a master cornerman like Frank work his sons corner.
These things would make me a happy man.

Hey, Im gonna compete in the National Veterans Freesyle Wrestling championships in Vegas in early April.
Im also gonna fight the National Judo Championships (masters) in San Diego in Mid April.
If any of you guys are free and wanna come out, lemme know.
We will have some laughs and tell some more great stories!
Dinner will be on me.



Brian

Brian, God willing and the river don't rise, Jeri and I will be there, in full support! We're both looking forward to it.

Randy

[Randyman]

Guys, today, January 2, 2009 marks my 30th year with Boeing Aircraft. When I started on January 2 of 1979 it was still McDonnell Douglas. In 1996 Boeing bought us out and it has been a downhill run for us ever since. I started as an aircraft mechanic but over the years I have been a lead man, Manager/Supervisor, Quality Coordinator and a Project Manager for specific one time tasks, such as the FAA and Qasar Audits. I have worked on the DC-9/Md-80's, DC-10/Md-11's, the U.S. Air Force's Kc-10 and Boeing's 737. For the last ten years I have been working on the Air Force's Globemaster C-17, the finest aircraft I have ever had the privilege of working on. I still take a certain pride when I see one of our aircraft in the news or flying overhead. Prior to coming to McDonnell Douglas, I worked on the A-10 and F-15 fighter aircraft at Sargent Fletcher Co.

It's been a good career and I have met and made life long friends. A moment that will always stand out for me is the May 25, 1979 DC-10 crash at Chicago's O'Hare Airport. I had been working here about seven months. When the news broke about the crash, women were literally crying and the men were stunned. It was a sobering and somber moment. It was the sense of responsibility that hit me. It never left me. I learned to take the quality of my work seriously.

Though it was not the career I had planned for myself, I have no compaints. I bought my home, raised my family and have had a good life, courtesy of McDonnell Douglas and Boeing Companies. It has been a good living.

Below are few photos of myself, the job and the Air Force C-17 and KC-10 Extender.



This photo is from 1979. I was 24 at the time and working on the DC-10. The aircraft in the background in an MD-80.


This photo is from 1987, I was 33 when this photo was taken I was the lead man for this crew. You might not recognize me. I'm front and center wearing the Rick's shirt. We were working on the MD-80. The man standing second from the far left with the white shirt and beard is Bobby DeWitt, the best boss I have ever worked for. He was a former professional auto racer of some type.


A typical day on the MD-11, in Long Beach.


The KC-10 Extender


The C-17 Globemaster III

[Randyman]

From the back. Grandkids Kalina,Amanda,Adam,and Adam's friend Jim.Major's Cafe, Pine Valley,California

Great photo of the grandkids Frank!

[Randyman]

Thanks To Frank I am getting the hang of this picture editing and posting. Thought this one would interest you guys. Apologies if it has been posted before.

Thanks for that great photo, Rob, don't think it has been posted before.

What a great photo Rob, classic! Thanks. I am always interested in anything regarding the Main Street Gym.

Randy

[Rick Farris]

Our Pug . . .

You know, Brian. Your professional boxing record shows that you never learned how to lose. In addition being an unbeaten heavyweight, you flattened 75% of your opposition. Now, you are nine years younger than me, but it sounds like you never learned to how to lose a boxing match. Next month, five days before I turn 57, you will turn 48.

How about a tune-up with another oldster, Holyfield, and after you win then a shot at Valuev. Don't you just love it when your friends have things all figured out for your future. My interest is this, you win the title, and in five years we induct you into the WBHOF. We'll have all the gang there, all of us will stand up and speak on your behalf at the podium, and by the time that's over, we'll just head off to the bar and tell stories. You get a world title to put on your resume and we all have a great story to tell. The title fight will sell out Soldier Field, a bunch of Californian's will invade Chicago to root for their amigo. Bennie will fly in from England.

Think of it. It would really add an edge to this thread, huh?

-Rick

God Bless you Rick.
You made my day.
What I would really love would be to see any of your fights at the Olympic back in the day.
I would also have loved to have seen Randys fight that Wide World of Sports televised.
I would also have loved being in the gym the day Rog got in there with Kenny Norton.
I would pay to watch a master cornerman like Frank work his sons corner.
These things would make me a happy man.

Hey, Im gonna compete in the National Veterans Freesyle Wrestling championships in Vegas in early April.
Im also gonna fight the National Judo Championships (masters) in San Diego in Mid April.
If any of you guys are free and wanna come out, lemme know.
We will have some laughs and tell some more great stories!
Dinner will be on me.



Brian

Brian, God willing and the river don't rise, Jeri and I will be there, in full support! We're both looking forward to it.

Randy

This is great, a mid-year reunion for the Boxrec crew. Our thread will be well into it's second year when Pug competes in the Nat'l Judo Championships. I have no better friends than what I have here. Monica and I have been planning to come that way for a long time. I'm pretty sure that Rodolfo Gonzalez will want to join us if he can, he lives in nearby Oceanside. I know it's a long trip for some, but maybe a few more of us can make it. Forget the Shamrocks, the Gracies, Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddel, etc. We gotta real Utimate fighter on our crew and hopefully he'll bring home a National Judo title, he's our champ for sure. And to those who think they can get past him with a gun? Maybe they should first ask the opinion of the last guy who tried. Good to hear you and Jeri will be there amigo!

-Rick

[dagosd2000]

From the back. Grandkids Kalina,Amanda,Adam,and Adam's friend Jim.Major's Cafe, Pine Valley,California

Great photo of the grandkids Frank!

Randy
Those are my grandkids. Hap made the same mistake.

Maybe Frank and Hap were mailmen in my neighborhood while I was off to work


BTW,welcome back. Happy New Year and all that other stuff.

Hope you and Jeri come down to see Brian compete. Rick and Moni said they'd make it. I'll fix it so Brian can stay with Maria and me. Know a good Italian spot. Best veal in town. Ciao Rog

[kikibalt]

From the back. Grandkids Kalina,Amanda,Adam,and Adam's friend Jim.Major's Cafe, Pine Valley,California

Great photo of the grandkids Frank!

Hey! don't blame me, those're diego's grandkids.....

[Randyman]

From the back. Grandkids Kalina,Amanda,Adam,and Adam's friend Jim.Major's Cafe, Pine Valley,California

Great photo of the grandkids Frank!

Randy
Those are my grandkids. Hap made the same mistake.

Maybe Frank and Hap were mailmen in my neighborhood while I was off to work


BTW,welcome back. Happy New Year and all that other stuff.

Hope you and Jeri come down to see Brian compete. Rick and Moni said they'd make it. I'll fix it so Brian can stay with Maria and me. Know a good Italian spot. Best veal in town. Ciao Rog

Ooops! Sorry guys. Still, it's a great photo of the grandkids, who ever the hell they belong to!
Happy New Years to you too, my friend and to the rest of the Boxrec gang.
Jeri and will be there Rog.

[Rick Farris]

Guys, today, January 2, 2009 marks my 30th year with Boeing Aircraft. When I started on January 2 of 1979 it was still McDonnell Douglas. In 1996 Boeing bought us out and it has been a downhill run for us ever since. I started as an aircraft mechanic but over the years I have been a lead man, Manager/Supervisor, Quality Coordinator and a Project Manager for specific one time tasks, such as the FAA and Qasar Audits. I have worked on the DC-9/Md-80's, DC-10/Md-11's, the U.S. Air Force's Kc-10 and Boeing's 737. For the last ten years I have been working on the Air Force's Globemaster C-17, the finest aircraft I have ever had the privilege of working on. I still take a certain pride when I see one of our aircraft in the news or flying overhead. Prior to coming to McDonnell Douglas, I worked on the A-10 and F-15 fighter aircraft at Sargent Fletcher Co.

It's been a good career and I have met and made life long friends. A moment that will always stand out for me is the May 25, 1979 DC-10 crash at Chicago's O'Hare Airport. I had been working here about seven months. When the news broke about the crash, women were literally crying and the men were stunned. It was a sobering and somber moment. It was the sense of responsibility that hit me. It never left me. I learned to take the quality of my work seriously.

Though it was not the career I had planned for myself, I have no compaints. I bought my home, raised my family and have had a good life, courtesy of McDonnell Douglas and Boeing Companies. It has been a good living.

Below are few photos of myself, the job and the Air Force C-17 and KC-10 Extender.



This photo is from 1979. I was 24 at the time and working on the DC-10. The aircraft in the background in an MD-80.


This photo is from 1987, I was 33 when this photo was taken I was the lead man for this crew. You might not recognize me. I'm front and center wearing the Rick's shirt. We were working on the MD-80. The man standing second from the far left with the white shirt and beard is Bobby DeWitt, the best boss I have ever worked for. He was a former professional auto racer of some type.


A typical day on the MD-11, in Long Beach.


The KC-10 Extender


The C-17 Globemaster III

Randy, congratulations on your thirty year anniversery. In the top photo, I see the fighter I remember from that lunch we had with Mel and Karl Nelson. It's a bit comforting to know that a man like yourself is involved with the construction of aircraft. You have a great career, one that's important.

-Rick

[Randyman]

This is great, a mid-year reunion for the Boxrec crew. Our thread will be well into it's second year when Pug competes in the Nat'l Judo Championships. I have no better friends than what I have here. Monica and I have been planning to come that way for a long time. I'm pretty sure that Rodolfo Gonzalez will want to join us if he can, he lives in nearby Oceanside. I know it's a long trip for some, but maybe a few more of us can make it. Forget the Shamrocks, the Gracies, Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddel, etc. We gotta real Utimate fighter on our crew and hopefully he'll bring home a National Judo title, he's our champ for sure. And to those who think they can get past him with a gun? Maybe they should first ask the opinion of the last guy who tried. Good to hear you and Jeri will be there amigo!

-Rick

Jeri and I are really looking forward to it, seeing our Pug compete and seeing all you guys (and a good Italian meal). Jeri had such a great time at WBHOF and really enjoyed everyone company. She's looking forward to April.

Randy

[kikibalt]

Thanks To Frank I am getting the hang of this picture editing and posting. Thought this one would interest you guys. Apologies if it has been posted before.

Thanks for that great photo, Rob, don't think it has been posted before.

Great shot, Rob. If I say so myself, I look a little bit like "Bennie" Georgino.

No hair, Bennie?....

[Randyman]

Guys, today, January 2, 2009 marks my 30th year with Boeing Aircraft. When I started on January 2 of 1979 it was still McDonnell Douglas. In 1996 Boeing bought us out and it has been a downhill run for us ever since. I started as an aircraft mechanic but over the years I have been a lead man, Manager/Supervisor, Quality Coordinator and a Project Manager for specific one time tasks, such as the FAA and Qasar Audits. I have worked on the DC-9/Md-80's, DC-10/Md-11's, the U.S. Air Force's Kc-10 and Boeing's 737. For the last ten years I have been working on the Air Force's Globemaster C-17, the finest aircraft I have ever had the privilege of working on. I still take a certain pride when I see one of our aircraft in the news or flying overhead. Prior to coming to McDonnell Douglas, I worked on the A-10 and F-15 fighter aircraft at Sargent Fletcher Co.

It's been a good career and I have met and made life long friends. A moment that will always stand out for me is the May 25, 1979 DC-10 crash at Chicago's O'Hare Airport. I had been working here about seven months. When the news broke about the crash, women were literally crying and the men were stunned. It was a sobering and somber moment. It was the sense of responsibility that hit me. It never left me. I learned to take the quality of my work seriously.

Though it was not the career I had planned for myself, I have no compaints. I bought my home, raised my family and have had a good life, courtesy of McDonnell Douglas and Boeing Companies. It has been a good living.

Below are few photos of myself, the job and the Air Force C-17 and KC-10 Extender.



This photo is from 1979. I was 24 at the time and working on the DC-10. The aircraft in the background in an MD-80.


This photo is from 1987, I was 33 when this photo was taken I was the lead man for this crew. You might not recognize me. I'm front and center wearing the Rick's shirt. We were working on the MD-80. The man standing second from the far left with the white shirt and beard is Bobby DeWitt, the best boss I have ever worked for. He was a former professional auto racer of some type.


A typical day on the MD-11, in Long Beach.


The KC-10 Extender


The C-17 Globemaster III

Randy, congratulations on your thirty year anniversery. In the top photo, I see the fighter I remember from that lunch we had with Mel and Karl Nelson. It's a bit comforting to know that a man like yourself is involved with the construction of aircraft. You have a great career, one that's important.

-Rick

Thanks Rick. Yeah, I remember that guy in the top photo too. I see a different guy looking back at me from the mirror now. Jeri and I have made a New Year's resolution to get back in shape. I'm about 240 right now. Mel would be having a fit. When I talked to Mel shortly before his death, I was at a comfortable 175, and in good shape. He gave me hell, as you can imagine. I just want to get under 200 again. The right way, and be fit. I want to be in fighting shape, even if it's only with Jeri.

Randy

[Rick Farris]

Rick, remember Johnny Jensen? used to fight out of the Teamsters,
when he was fighting in the Jr's

Johnny Jensen

Country USA
Global Id 233
Division Featherweight


Career Record © http://www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1982-03-11 Julio Cesar Chavez Tijuana, Mexico L KO 3
1981-07-24 Antonio Becerra Mazatlan, Mexico L TKO 10
1981-03-03 Juan Escobar Tijuana, Mexico L KO 6
1977-11-17 Herman Montes Los Angeles, USA L KO 5
1977-11-10 Francisco Flores Los Angeles, USA L PTS 10
1977-10-13 Rene Silva Los Angeles, USA L PTS 10
1977-05-04 Cornelio Vega San Francisco, USA W KO 8
1977-04-07 Fidel Frajo Los Angeles, USA L PTS 6
1977-03-20 Manuel Castellanos Las Vegas, USA D PTS 8
1977-01-21 Manuel Castellanos Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1976-10-14 Francisco Flores Los Angeles, USA D PTS 7
1976-09-16 Ray Saldivar Los Angeles, USA W KO 5
1976-07-26 Artemio Jeronimo Sacramento, USA D PTS 10
1976-05-11 Rudy Villagonza Honolulu, USA W PTS 8
1976-04-08 Ruben Castillo Los Angeles, USA L PTS 10
1976-02-24 Conrado Vasquez Honolulu, USA L PTS 10
1976-02-12 Frank Ahumada Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1976-01-15 Francisco Flores Los Angeles, USA D PTS 6
1975-11-08 Carlos Garcia Los Angeles, USA W PTS 5
1975-07-19 Tino Gonzalez Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1975-06-21 Frankie Granados Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1975-06-12 Frankie Granados Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1975-03-06 Jose Del Rio Los Angeles, USA L PTS 6
1975-01-16 Jose Del Rio Los Angeles, USA L PTS 6
1974-12-12 Alfonso del Gadillo Los Angeles, USA W KO 2
1974-11-21 Jose Del Rio Los Angeles, USA W PTS 4
1974-10-24 Yoshihiro Shikauchi Los Angeles, USA L PTS 5
1974-09-12 Juan Lopez Los Angeles, USA W KO 1
1974-09-05 Juan Lopez Los Angeles, USA W PTS 4
1974-08-15 Hector Medina Los Angeles, USA W PTS 5
1974-08-08 Carlos Estrada Los Angeles, USA W KO 3

Record to Date
Won 15 (KOs 5) Lost 12 Drawn 4 Total 31

Frank, I do remember Johnny, although I didn't know him. We have a common opponent, Frankie Granados, whom we both fought twice. Do you know what's become of him?

-Rick

[kikibalt]

Rick, remember Johnny Jensen? used to fight out of the Teamsters,
when he was fighting in the Jr's

Johnny Jensen

Country USA
Global Id 233
Division Featherweight


Career Record © http://www.boxrec.com

Date Opponent Location Result
1982-03-11 Julio Cesar Chavez Tijuana, Mexico L KO 3
1981-07-24 Antonio Becerra Mazatlan, Mexico L TKO 10
1981-03-03 Juan Escobar Tijuana, Mexico L KO 6
1977-11-17 Herman Montes Los Angeles, USA L KO 5
1977-11-10 Francisco Flores Los Angeles, USA L PTS 10
1977-10-13 Rene Silva Los Angeles, USA L PTS 10
1977-05-04 Cornelio Vega San Francisco, USA W KO 8
1977-04-07 Fidel Frajo Los Angeles, USA L PTS 6
1977-03-20 Manuel Castellanos Las Vegas, USA D PTS 8
1977-01-21 Manuel Castellanos Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1976-10-14 Francisco Flores Los Angeles, USA D PTS 7
1976-09-16 Ray Saldivar Los Angeles, USA W KO 5
1976-07-26 Artemio Jeronimo Sacramento, USA D PTS 10
1976-05-11 Rudy Villagonza Honolulu, USA W PTS 8
1976-04-08 Ruben Castillo Los Angeles, USA L PTS 10
1976-02-24 Conrado Vasquez Honolulu, USA L PTS 10
1976-02-12 Frank Ahumada Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1976-01-15 Francisco Flores Los Angeles, USA D PTS 6
1975-11-08 Carlos Garcia Los Angeles, USA W PTS 5
1975-07-19 Tino Gonzalez Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1975-06-21 Frankie Granados Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1975-06-12 Frankie Granados Los Angeles, USA W PTS 6
1975-03-06 Jose Del Rio Los Angeles, USA L PTS 6
1975-01-16 Jose Del Rio Los Angeles, USA L PTS 6
1974-12-12 Alfonso del Gadillo Los Angeles, USA W KO 2
1974-11-21 Jose Del Rio Los Angeles, USA W PTS 4
1974-10-24 Yoshihiro Shikauchi Los Angeles, USA L PTS 5
1974-09-12 Juan Lopez Los Angeles, USA W KO 1
1974-09-05 Juan Lopez Los Angeles, USA W PTS 4
1974-08-15 Hector Medina Los Angeles, USA W PTS 5
1974-08-08 Carlos Estrada Los Angeles, USA W KO 3

Record to Date
Won 15 (KOs 5) Lost 12 Drawn 4 Total 31

Frank, I do remember Johnny, although I didn't know him. We have a common opponent, Frankie Granados, whom we both fought twice. Do you know what's become of him?

-Rick

Yeah! he shot himself, years ago.

[Rick Farris]

Guys, today, January 2, 2009 marks my 30th year with Boeing Aircraft. When I started on January 2 of 1979 it was still McDonnell Douglas. In 1996 Boeing bought us out and it has been a downhill run for us ever since. I started as an aircraft mechanic but over the years I have been a lead man, Manager/Supervisor, Quality Coordinator and a Project Manager for specific one time tasks, such as the FAA and Qasar Audits. I have worked on the DC-9/Md-80's, DC-10/Md-11's, the U.S. Air Force's Kc-10 and Boeing's 737. For the last ten years I have been working on the Air Force's Globemaster C-17, the finest aircraft I have ever had the privilege of working on. I still take a certain pride when I see one of our aircraft in the news or flying overhead. Prior to coming to McDonnell Douglas, I worked on the A-10 and F-15 fighter aircraft at Sargent Fletcher Co.

It's been a good career and I have met and made life long friends. A moment that will always stand out for me is the May 25, 1979 DC-10 crash at Chicago's O'Hare Airport. I had been working here about seven months. When the news broke about the crash, women were literally crying and the men were stunned. It was a sobering and somber moment. It was the sense of responsibility that hit me. It never left me. I learned to take the quality of my work seriously.

Though it was not the career I had planned for myself, I have no compaints. I bought my home, raised my family and have had a good life, courtesy of McDonnell Douglas and Boeing Companies. It has been a good living.

Below are few photos of myself, the job and the Air Force C-17 and KC-10 Extender.



This photo is from 1979. I was 24 at the time and working on the DC-10. The aircraft in the background in an MD-80.


This photo is from 1987, I was 33 when this photo was taken I was the lead man for this crew. You might not recognize me. I'm front and center wearing the Rick's shirt. We were working on the MD-80. The man standing second from the far left with the white shirt and beard is Bobby DeWitt, the best boss I have ever worked for. He was a former professional auto racer of some type.


A typical day on the MD-11, in Long Beach.


The KC-10 Extender


The C-17 Globemaster III

Randy, congratulations on your thirty year anniversery. In the top photo, I see the fighter I remember from that lunch we had with Mel and Karl Nelson. It's a bit comforting to know that a man like yourself is involved with the construction of aircraft. You have a great career, one that's important.

-Rick

Thanks Rick. Yeah, I remember that guy in the top photo too. I see a different guy looking back at me from the mirror now. Jeri and I have made a New Year's resolution to get back in shape. I'm about 240 right now. Mel would be having a fit. When I talked to Mel shortly before his death, I was at a comfortable 175, and in good shape. He gave me hell, as you can imagine. I just want to get under 200 again. The right way, and be fit. I want to be in fighting shape, even if it's only with Jeri.

Randy

I've been pretty lucky and have stayed in good shape. Nothing is better than a boxer's workout for staying fit and your muscles have memory, Randy. When I have time, I go to the old Lincoln Heights Jail Gym. I stopped sparring when I was in my 40's, don't need any more brain damage, however, I do everything else, mix in a little weight work, lots of stretching. Freddie Roach said I could workout in his gym, but I'm no longer a boxer and don't want to take up space that guys who are fighting need. Lincoln Heights is the biggest, best equipped and least used gym in town. They have established so many liability rules that they've run off pros and are now doing the same to amateurs. For an amateur to box in the ring at Lincoln Heights, they have to have a signed consent form from the kids parents or guardians (two signatures) and amateur boxing certification. Pro trainers, managers, etc. are asked to leave. What about the kid with one parent, or no parents? The boxing people have left the gym to the city and they (the city) have ruined the program set up by Johnny Flores in the early 70's. Backyard coaches (sometimes the best) are forbidden from bringing kids in to workout. An angry little woman runs the gym today and my guess it will soon be a thing of the past. However, for an old guy like myself, it's a great place to workout. I used to bring in kids, or friends or anybody that wanted me to teach them how to fight, but the RULES now forbid it. I haven't registered myself with the USABF, so in their eyes, I'm not qualified to coach anybody in the art of boxing. Truth be told, I'm a helluva lot better boxing trainer than I was a fighter, and the California Athletic Commission granted me a license to fight for many years. Of course, today's amateur boxing isn't really fighting, it's a tactical game of tag. Go figure? Boxing gyms used to be a place where a troubled kid could come off the streets and find a safe haven. Frank, Johnny must be rolling over in his grave. The good 'ol days of the Teamsters and guys like you, Johnny, Louie and Jake, is now a distant memory, thankfully, it will always be a part of my memory.

-Ricardo

[Randyman]

Rick, Jeri and my daughter Meranda are watching "The Notebook" with James Garner and Gena Rowlands. Were you involved in that movie? A chick flick, I know, I know but it's a hell of a good movie. I was just wondering.

Randy

[Rick Farris]

Rick, Jeri and my daughter Meranda are watching "The Notebook" with James Garner and Gena Rowlands. Were you involved in that movie? A chick flick, I know, I know but it's a hell of a good movie. I was just wondering.

Randy

No Randy, I wasn't involved with that one. I did do a chick flick the year before last, with Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore, called "Because I Said So". With a title like that, you know it's a chick flick.

-Rick

[Randyman]

I've been pretty lucky and have stayed in good shape. Nothing is better than a boxer's workout for staying fit and your muscles have memory, Randy. When I have time, I go to the old Lincoln Heights Jail Gym. I stopped sparring when I was in my 40's, don't need any more brain damage, however, I do everything else, mix in a little weight work, lots of stretching. Freddie Roach said I could workout in his gym, but I'm no longer a boxer and don't want to take up space that guys who are fighting need. Lincoln Heights is the biggest, best equipped and least used gym in town. They have established so many liability rules that they've run off pros and are now doing the same to amateurs. For an amateur to box in the ring at Lincoln Heights, they have to have a signed consent form from the kids parents or guardians (two signatures) and amateur boxing certification. Pro trainers, managers, etc. are asked to leave. What about the kid with one parent, or no parents? The boxing people have left the gym to the city and they (the city) have ruined the program set up by Johnny Flores in the early 70's. Backyard coaches (sometimes the best) are forbidden from bringing kids in to workout. An angry little woman runs the gym today and my guess it will soon be a thing of the past. However, for an old guy like myself, it's a great place to workout. I used to bring in kids, or friends or anybody that wanted me to teach them how to fight, but the RULES now forbid it. I haven't registered myself with the USABF, so in their eyes, I'm not qualified to coach anybody in the art of boxing. Truth be told, I'm a helluva lot better boxing trainer than I was a fighter, and the California Athletic Commission granted me a license to fight for many years. Of course, today's amateur boxing isn't really fighting, it's a tactical game of tag. Go figure? Boxing gyms used to be a place where a troubled kid could come off the streets and find a safe haven. Frank, Johnny must be rolling over in his grave. The good 'ol days of the Teamsters and guys like you, Johnny, Louie and Jake, is now a distant memory, thankfully, it will always be a part of my memory.

-Ricardo

It would be a hell of a thing if we all pulled our resources together and opened a real, no nonsense, no frills, old school boxing gym. L.A. is ripe for a gym, especially with the Staples center, the Home Depot Center and downtown rebuilding itself. Just a thought.

Randy