Thursday, February 11, 2021
I was saddened to hear from my cousin that 'Junior' as I always called him had passed. I am glad that we were able to drop by his house this fall when we were in the Villisca area. We had a good time reminiscing.. so happy that I was able to spend some time with him. Junior and I have known one another for many years but did get to know him in high school. Little did we know then that we would 'sail the ocean blue' together later. We joined the Navy together in 1951...went through Boot Camp together at Great Lakes and boarded the USS Henrico together in late spring of 1951. Junior was a wonderful friend to me. He had a car when stationed in San Diego and he took me with him to visit relatives in Venice several times. We made several 'speedy trips' back to Villisca when we had leaves together. Some very interesting experiences! We had a lot of fun together.. and everything was always cordial. (Even though at one time we both loved the same girl.) I am sorry that I could not have been with your family as you celebrated his life. I would have contributed some of our many adventures together. He was a wonderful man and friend. And I know how he loved his family...Children/Grandchildren. My sincere sympathy to all of you. We had many funfilled hours together..boot camp/aboard ship/ time on the USS... Henrico (by the way the knickname of our ship was 'THE HAPPY HANk'. RIP Dear Friend. John Focht. 222 Iris Drive in Cedar Falls, Iowa. 50613
