I appreciate Leslie Bright Wainwright's just now telling me of the death of our classmate Doug (real name Steven D.) McKelvy. He attended our KHS65 Reunion picnic last month and was looking frail, awaiting the results of recent tests. Doug was a musician and many of you might remember his sitting in with Jack at our reunion picnic last time, in 2005, at the Park. As a kid in grade school at Robinson he sat behind me, and when studying Morse Code for Scouts he'd tap out the various codes on his desk, and with his book in front of me, I'd shake my head sideways if he made an error, but he rarely did, he was a quick learner! We will miss Doug's friendly emails, his musical talent and his always calm, thoughtful demeanor.
So long old friend, rest in peace and love
I just reviewed some old emails from Doug and here is a cute quote he once sent:
As for the groundhog, if he sees his shadow, we'll have 6 more weeks of winter. If he doesn't see his shadow, it'll only be another month and a half.
Doug did his student teaching at KHS and North Middle, and taught for some amount of time at North. Here is a little ditty he sent when we were exploring the idea of a band appearance at a reunion:
On the other hand I have my ugly bari sax, my better tenor has been repaired (I'm still not ready for a lot of solo work with it :-[ ), I have a pretty good alto (I'm a little better on that than tenor), and I'm best on bass guitar (I have a Fender with a Bassman amp 8-) ). I also have flute and clarinet. I have an upright bass, but it needs some work, and my hands are woefully out of shape, so the Fender is a better option.
Now I don't know about you all, but I think a man with the ability to play all those is amazing! One more from Doug, the signature on an email I received from him in July:
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:9
Doug's obituary from The St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
McKelvy, Steven D. (Doug) Sat., Sept. 25, 2010. Beloved husband of Deborah Ann McKelvy (Steiger); dearest brother of Kathy (the late Gene) Kosek; dear son of the late H. M. Mack and Mary McKelvy; dear brother-in-law of Bill and Pat Stevens; dear uncle of Lisa Cleary, Michael Stevens, Vince Kosek, David Kosek and Kevin Kosek; honorary grandfather of Ashley, Josh and Zach Spindler. Mr. McKelvy was a 20+ year employee of Ameren UE and was also a private electrical engineer consultant. His special interests included music. He played in the Jefferson College Band. He was a graduate of Kirkwood High School, Webster College and Washington University, with degrees in Music & Engineering; was a former member of Southside Assembly of God Church, attended Twin Rivers Worship Center and loved his Alabama football team Roll Tide. Services: Funeral at KUTIS SOUTH COUNTY Chapel, 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd. (at Butler Hill), Mon., Oct. 4, 12 noon. Interment J. B. National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Jefferson County Rescue Mission appreciated. Visitation Sun., 4-8 p.m.
I can't help thinking of Doug tonight as I stumbled upon the fact that Samuel F B Morse was a distant cousin of mine through early Massachusetts roots. The story of helping Doug learn Morse Code is one of my favorite grade school memories.
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