John
N. Todd III
-- Starting at the
beginning:
1928 (Montgomery,
Alabama)
Born, April 1, 1928; in Montgomery,
Alabama, USA.... the younger of two sons. Brother, Alton B.
Todd, nee 12/4/26. No other siblings. Father (John N. Todd
Jr., born 1/1/1896) owner and operator of Todd Lock and
Hardware Company.... and professional local singer. Mother
(Edith Alton Key, born 12/7/1903) talented musician,
pianist, piano teacher, church organist and choir director;
book-review speaking-artist; operated Montgomery Youth Club
for 4 years; served as Director of Religious Education at
First Methodist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, for 5
years.
Schools
and colleges
1934 (Montgomery, Alabama)
I attended first grade at Bellinger Hill
Elementary School. I acquired my first pet, a solid-black
male German Shepherd-Chow combination -- named "Bear" -- who
became a constant companion, for 10 years.... one of the
great early-life experiences for me.
1935 -- January. During my first year of school, I
inexplicably developed an infectious process involving the
left knee and lower leg -- causing swelling, persistent
pain, and fever. After one month of undiagnosed illness,
including wearing a cast on the knee and lower leg for three
weeks, it was discovered that I had osteomyelitis of the
tibia. A primitive, open, incision-and-drainage surgical
operation was performed by Dr. George Blue, at St.
Margaret's Hospital in Montgomery. I was in the hospital for
4 weeks. Antibiotics were not available at that time (1935).
My doctors told my father that they were seriously
considering amputating my left leg. My father refused to
give permission, indicating that he would rather risk losing
me, than to have me live-out this life with one leg. I
missed nearly four months of the first grade of school.
(This illness, and its profound effect on my parents and me,
became one of God's greatest "molding" events in all of my
life.... both then, and -- in various ways -- in all the
remainder of my life.)
1934-1940 (Montgomery, Alabama)
Completed 6 years of elementary
education at Bellinger Hill School. (Miss Sally Allen, Miss
Emma Lamar, Ms. Carmichael, Ms. Janet Wise, Ms. Louise
Hunnicutt, and Ms. Ruby Butts were my teachers.)
On my last day of school at "Bellinger Hill" Elementary, we
moved to our new home -- the first and only home that
my parents bought and owned..... a
three-bedroom, one bath, brick house..... at 3205 Norman
Bridge Road, Montgomery, Alabama. We lived in this house
"forever", until I moved to Birmingham for medical school,
and specialty training. My father died in 1978, while we
lived in this house. Later, in 1987 my mother sold this
house, and moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.... where she lived
in a house that my wife and I own (next door to the parking
lot of my medical office).
1940-1943 (Montgomery,
Alabama)
Attended Cloverdale Junior
High School, for three years.
(After we moved to Norman Bridge Road in Montgomery, I met
an entirely new group of neighbors and friends. In some way,
perhaps at my own suggestion to certan adults in the
neighborhood, I became know as "Toby" Todd --
a nickname that stayed with me until I graduated from
high-school.)
I rode my bicycle to and from school at Cloverdale Junior
High School, every day, for three years. I lived at 3205
Norman Bridge Road, at the time. As mentioned above, our
family lived at this same address in a house that my parents
owned, from 1940 until 1987 -- at which time my mother sold
the house to move to a house in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to be
near my wife (PJT) and me.
My dog, "Bear", went to school with me, every
day, while I attended Cloverdale Junior High School.
Bear was allowed into almost all of the classrooms. He would
lie quietly at my desk-side. Sometimes, he would walk to the
door of the classroom, to go out for a while.... and a
classmate would open the door for him. In a few minutes,
Bear would return, and scratch on the door. The door would
be opened for him; and he would be allowed to come back into
the class. He would walk up and down the several rows of
desks, until he found me.... then he would slump to the
floor, to wait for the class to end.
"Bear" went to the lunchroom with me every
day. The ladies who worked along the cafeteria-line
loved Bear.... and they would prepare a plate of
scraps for him, every day.
Bear "graduated" with
me, on the stage of the auditorium. "Bear" sat up, on his
back legs; and was given a diploma, on stage, by Mr. Taylor,
the Principal, at the graduation ceremony. Bear carried his
diploma off the stage in his mouth (a true story).
1943-1946 (Montgomery, Alabama)
Attended Sidney Lanier High School. I graduated with a
"Latin Diploma", after taking Latin for five years. This
deep knowledge of Latin helped me immeasurably to master the
writing and speaking of precisely correct English.
I also took three years of ROTC, at Lanier High School. I
became a platoon sergeant in my second year. (Stuart
Stephenson, my lifelong friend, was the platoon Lieutenant).
In my third year of ROTC, I was a Cadet Captain, and Company
Commander. (I have always prided myself in my knowledge of
the military. My ROTC skills helped me immensely, when I
later enlisted as a physician in the U. S. Air Force.) At
Lanier High SchooI, I was awarded a Gold Medal, an award for
being selected the "Outstanding Company Commander". The
medal was presented by the American Legion, late in my
senior year of high-school.
1946-1947 (Auburn, Alabama)
Attended Auburn University for one year. I took courses in
chemistry, zoology, advanced English composition, and
physics.... plus one year of college R.O.T.C.
1947-1950 (Montgomery, Alabama)
Attended and graduated from Huntingdon College. I graduated
with a double-major.... Biology and Chemistry. I enjoyed
some of my greatest early-adult experiences, while at
Huntingdon College. I enjoyed several "puppy-love" romances
at Huntingdon -- one lasting for two years. (The
"love-of-my-life" will be mentioned below, beginning when I
met the gorgeous and talented young lady -- Mary Phyllis
Jackson -- who was later to become my wife, and my lifelong
"partner".)
1951-1955 -- (Birmingham, Alabama); Medical School at
Medical College of Alabama.
When I graduated from Medical College, I owed no
money, to anyone.... thanks to the tireless efforts
of my parents.... their hard work, and "extra" jobs, and
long hours, and "doing-without" -- so that I would not have
a debt "overhang", as I left college and "formal" training,
and began my "life's work". (Thanks, Mother and Daddy
["T" and "Grand"], for this great benefit to me....
along with all the other splendid knowledge and
understanding that both of you imparted to me.) See
link Inheritance,
a potentially harmful legacy.
1955-1956 -- Rotating Internship, at Medical College
of Alabama, in Birmingham, Alabama.
1956-1959 -- Three year residency in Internal
Medicine, including one year's fellowship in Metabolism and
Endocrinology. More about this, below.
1959, July 2 -- Married Mary Phyllis Jackson, of
Tupelo, Mississippi.
I met this sweet and beautiful jewel when God assigned her
to my medical "ward" while I was a first-year resident in
Internal Medicine, at University Hospital, Birmingham,
Alabama. "Mary Phyllis" (as I callled her then), was a
junior student in the Medical College School of Nursing,
when she was assigned to my "tutelage" (and I to hers).... a
process which has continued from its inception in October
1956, until the present (this notation being composed
2/25/02). (More about her, and us, below.)
1959-1963 -- USAF
This will be extrapolated additionally, below. After an
initial tour-of-duty at Gunter Air Force Base, in
Montgomery, Alabama, I was assigned to Ernest Harmon Air
Force Base, in Stephenville, Newfoundland. Phyllis and I
were there from November 1959 through April 1962. Our first
child (Mary Alton) was born in Newfoundland, on October 18,
l960. This little newcomer in our lives began one of the
greatest and most memorable events in all of my
existence.
More, later, here, about our assignment to MacDill Air Force
Base (Tampa, Florida); and the birth of our first son, John
Norton Todd IV (June 1962).
1964-1967
And, later, the birth of our second daughter Amy Louise Todd
(April 1964) in Tuscaloosa, Alabama; and our second son
Thomas David Todd (January 1967), in Tuscaloosa,
Alabama.
Early jobs, and
subsequent employment:
1940-1946 -- (Every year.) Yardwork at our
family home at 3205 Norman Bridge Road, Montgomery,
Alabama.
1940 -- Worked afternoons, 3 days a week, at "Todd
Lock and Hardware Co.", my father's business in Montgomery,
Alabama. I alternated with my brother, Alton, who worked the
other afternoons. I did various simple chores, like
sweeping, cleaning, and straightening merchandise.
1941 -- Age 13. (Summer job) "Front-boy"
(curb-service for waiting-on drive-in customers) at
Heacock's pharmacy; Montgomery, Alabama. I was paid 50 cents
for an afternoon's work, which also included sweeping the
floor, inside the pharmacy.
1942 -- Age 14. (Summer job) "Delivery-boy" for
Heacock's Pharmacy. Delivered by bicycle any order within a
mile of the pharmacy. Worked with my brother. Each of us
made $1.00 per 10-hour day.
1943 -- Age 15. (Summer job; required State permit.)
Grocery-store assistant at Hill's Grocery, on Clitheral
Avenue; Montgomery, Alabama. I stacked shelves, washed and
cleaned the "produce", swept the floor, washed the outside
windows; carried sacked-groceries to automobiles; etc. Was
paid $2.00 per day, six days a week. (Saved my salary; and
used a part of it to buy a "Bulova" wristwatch.)
1944 -- Age 16. Montgomery Fair (afternoon and
Saturday job) Men's furnishings (was paid $4.00 per full
day, plus 1% commission).
1946 -- Age 18. (Saturday job during school year)
Nachman and Mertiff; sold women's shoes (7% commission).
1946 and 1947 -- (Summer jobs) Butler and Cobb
Construction. Inside work, as office manager, and payroll
clerk; letter-writer and typist for superintendents (Joe
Giles; Joe Sullivan). One summer at Maxwell AFB; and one
summer at Gunter AFB .... both in Montgomery, Alabama.
1948 -- Age 20. I was employed to sing in the choir
of the Dexter Avenue Methodist. I was paid $5 per Sunday (AM
and PM services). I paid my friend, John Price, half of my
$5, to go to the choir performances with me. He supplied the
automobile for our transportation to practice, and to church
services.
1948 (Summer job) Butler and Cobb Construction
Company. Worked as outside laborer, building a new house for
Huntingdon College's president. $.75/hour.
1949 -- Age 21. One-time performance, a
quartet. We performed at State Capitol of Alabama; including
(I am not certain about the following 3 members of the
quartet) Fred Dreher, Sherwood Stewart; Jim Oppert -- at
convocation for two Civil war veterans. We sang "Tenting
Tonight on the Old Camp Grounds", and one or two other
selections. We were paid $40 each. (I bought an Air Force
leather-jacket at Fannin's Mens Store, with my $40,
immediately after the performance.)
1947-1952 (age 19-24) Annual Christmas work at U.S.
Post Office; walking mail-carrier for pre-Christmas
delivery. Also, worked inside Cloverdale Branch after
Christmas, one season (Mr. Shaver was superintendent).
1948 -- Huntingdon College; Lab assistant and lab
instructor in cat-anatomy lab. Hired by Dr. Jim Barrow. I
was paid 75 cents per hour.
1950 -- University of Alabama; Tuscaloosa. Employed
as Lab assistant and lab instructor, by Department of
Chemistry (Dr. Lloyd). (I left this job to take a temporary
job --see next paragraph -- with Butler and Cobb
Construction Company, in Dothan. Alabama.... while awaiting
the start of medical school at the Medical College of
Alabama, in the Fall of 1951.)
1950 -- Age 22. Office-manager; Butler and Cobb
Construction Company, Dothan Alabama; constructing a new
Kress Building in downtown Dothan. I did not own an
automobile. I walked back-and-forth to work, from a nearby
rented-room, in a private home owned by two elderly sisters.
In my job at this construction company, I worked as office
manager, bookkeeper, payroll clerk... for several months,
waiting for medical school classes to begin in September
1951. I was paid $75/week. (Joe Sullivan was superintendent
on this job.)
1953 -- (Summer job, between sophomore and junior
years of medical school.) "Extern", at St. Margaret's
Hospital; Montgmoery, Alabama. 6 days a week. I did
"histories and physicals" on new surgical patients.... and I
assisted various surgeons in surgery. No pay,
just "experience", and meals.
1954 -- (Summer Job, after my third year in Medical
School.) Surgical "extern", at Roosevelt Hospital, New
York City (near Columbus Circle).... for nearly 3 month.
Free room and board.... no pay. I drove to New York City
from Montgomery, Alabama.... in my 1948 gray two-door
Chevrolet (which I bought with a $500 loan from Mr. Guy
Brightwell of Montgomery, Alabama). Dr. Ed Kent, a resident
in surgery at Roosevelt Hospital, arranged for my employment
at Roosevelt Hospital. I have "fond memories" of meeting
many nurses and student-nurses at Roosevelt Hospital. (The
"Yankee" nurses seemed to enjoy the "company" of Southern
gentlemen.) While in New York City, I frequently rode the
subway to downtown.... and I roamed, on foot, all over the
area.... taking-in the sights.
1955-1956 -- Rotating Internship, one year, at
Jefferson-Hillman Hospital (the Medical School Hospital),
Birmingham, Alabama. Salary $100/month ($91.00 per month
"take-home" pay).
1956-1957 -- One day a week, for Jefferson County
Tuberculosis Clinic, I injected air into the chest cavity
for therapeutic pneumothorax; and into the abdominal cavity
for therapeutic pneumo-peritoneum. (Dr. Russakov.)
1957 and 1958 (Summer "extra" jobs. during the year
of internship, and during the first year of residency.)
Three days both summers.... at Auburn University. Two of us
residents from the Medical College of Alabama did pre-school
physicals on all incoming students, male and female. These
were done at the Auburn University Hospital. (Dr. "Butcher"
Brown was the University Physician. He enjoyed our coming to
Auburn to help in this duty. We made about $50 per day, for
the three days, each summer.)
1956-1959 -- Residency in Internal Medicine at
University Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama. I joined the
Medical Corps of the U.S. Air Force in July 1956, as a
Captain in the Regular Air Force. I was assigned for all
three years of my residency to the University Hospital in
Birmingham. Air Force salary approximately $1200 per
month.
1959 -- Married Mary Phyllis Jackson, 0n 7-2-59....
the greatest "investment" I
ever made..... "bar none".... and the greatest
gift-from-above, in all of my adult life. This talented
young lady (from Tupelo, Mississippi) graduated in 1958 with
an RN degree from the School of Nursing, at the University
Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama. As a student-nurse, in 1956,
she was "assigned" to my medical ward, when I was a
first-year resident in Internal Medicine. She also was
employed, while still a student, as an obstetrical nurse, on
weekends (both before and after graduation from Nursing
School). After graduation, she taught "Fundamentals of
Nursing" at the UAB School of Nursing, for one year. She and
I dated each other for three years, before we were married
on 7/2/59 in a private service (parents only), in the chapel
of the First Methodist Church, Birmingham, Alabama. The
service was performed by Dr. Paul Hardin, Pastor of this
downtown old-and-beautiful church.
1959-1963 (Four full years) -- Active duty in
U.S. Air Force..... Ernest Harmon AFB in Newfoundland
(Stephenville); and McDill AFB, in Tampa Florida. Paid
approximately $1300/month, plus allowances.
1961 and 1962 -- American Board of Internal
Medicine. After one year of active practice in my
medical specialty, I became qualified to take the written
portion of my board-certification examinations. I took the
8-hour written exam at Ernest Harmon AFB, in
Newfoundland.... observed by Col. Brubaker, the Hospital
Commanding Officer. I passed, and became eligible to take
the oral exam, after a second year of practice of Internal
Medicine. I took the oral exam in 1962, travelling by
commercial airliner from MacDill Air Force Base to Chicago,
where I stayed for two nights in the Palmer House hotel, in
downtown Chicago. The first part of the oral exam included
diagnosing microscopic pathological slides, the reading of
x-rays and ECG's, etc. Then I was required to examine the
history and physical findings on two separate patients.
Then, I had to present the first patient to a Board
examiner. I was quizzed in detail by this examiner.
Following that, I presented the second patient to a second
Board Member; and I was quizzed again. I passed this oral
torture, and was notified in about three weeks, by mail,
that I had passed.... and that I was officially "certified"
by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and that I would
be listed in the book of certified specialists.
(This two-year ordeal of certification by the American Board
was extremely important to me.... for personal reasons, and
pride.... and because my "certification" gave me identity
and "clout" with other members of the Medical Profession.
Very few patients have any idea about the significance of
being "certified" by academic specialists in your own
specialty.)
July 1963 -- My wife and two babies and I moved to
Tuscaloosa, Alabama (after considering two other
locations).... for me to begin the private practice of
medicine. I began private practice at Jordan Clinic,
Tuscaloosa, Alabama.... for 3 months, before going
"out-on-my-own". My salary at Jordan Clinic -- $1500 per
month. At Jordan Clinic, I worked primarily with Dr.
Killough Patrick.... an Internist who was mailnly
responsible for my joining the Jordan Clinic group.
Donna Hightower was assigned to me as a physician's
assistant. When I left Jordan Clinic, Donna went with
me to my new location, as shown in the next paragraph.
1963 -- When I left Jordan Clinic, I rented an
office, and shared it temporarily with Dr. Joe O'neal (a
surgeon), on Fifth Avenue East, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama....
while I was awaiting the revision of my newly-purchased
office building, on Hargrove Road (as decribed in the next
paragraph). I hired Mrs. Larry Nunnally (Rhoda), an LPN, as
my second employee. Rhoda, who was about 10 years older
than I, worked with me for several years.... and became a
very significant and helpful part of my early medical
practice. I truly treasure the memory of having been
associated with "Rhoda".
1964 -- I
bought a building on Hargrove Road, at corner of Arlington
Drive.... in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This building (initially
constructed as a single-family dwelling) with its adjacent
unpaved side-yard, was converted by Harvey Edwards
Construction Company, under instructions from my wife and
me. I practiced medicine, in a solo practice, in this
building, for 24 successful years.... before retiring from
the practive of medicine in October 1987.
EMPLOYEES.... listed here: 1963-1987
(Duration of employment is
estimated.)
Donna Hightower -- 2 years
Rhoda Nunnally -- 10 years
Vivian White -- 18 years
Yvonne Dewberry -- 4 years
Tina Brislin -- 2 years
Helen -- 2 years
Mable Glover -- 4 years
Billie Higgins -- 16 years
Sharon Gilliland -- 8 years
Sherry Palmer -- 3 years
Lisa Falls -- 3 years
Teresa Smith -- 10 years
Sabrina -- 3 years
Sonya -- 2 years
1983 -- 2005
Willie James Lee; a marvelous
"Black-American".... started working with me at my
office, and at my home.... in 1983; and he still
(2005) is employed by my wife and me, for many
helpful and supporting duties, responsibilities,
and tasks.
|
1963 --
Consultant at VA Hospital, three days a week....
after I went into solo private practice. I made rounds with
a Hispanic physician, who was trying to get started in
medical practice in the U. S. (I did this for only a
few months.) $50 per visit.
1963 -- Medical Center Tuberculosis Hospital. I
injected air for therapeutic pneumo-peritoneum, and
pneumo-thorax, for Dr. Oliver, who was the Director of the
"TB" Hospital.
1965-1987 -- EKG reading at DCH (every day); and at
VA Hospital occasionally (filling-in for Dr. Copeland).
1976 -- We bought (with funds in my solo professional
corporation) a 205 acre FARM in Brent,
Alabama. Two old and primitive houses were included. With
the help of my parents, wife, and our four children, we
planted more than 2,000 apple trees, and 200 Santa Rosa plum
trees. We planted another group of "dwarf" apple trees, in
1977. All of us learned how to drive a tractor, use a
"bush-hog", plant trees using a tractor-driven auger, etc.
We bought this farm from Hugh Edmonds for $500 an acre
(previously owned by Dr. Weatherford). We kept this farm
until 1988, then sold it to a long-standing patient of mine
(Fred Hallman).... for $800 per acre (Hubert Creel, Fred's
accountant, arranged all this sale). My professional
corporation financed the sale of this farm. Regions Bank, a
trustee for my professional corporation, collected the
payments for the farm.)
1976 -- I was one of 14 Tuscaloosa physicians who
bought the West Alabama General Hospital, from the City of
Northport, Alabama. The hospital had been constructed under
a plan by the City of Northport to develop its own private
hospital.... but financial matters prevented the hospital
from opening.
We physicians who bought the hospital had become
disenchanted with the management of the only other hospital
in our area.... the Druid City Hospital. We physicians
borrowed the money for the purchase. We expanded the
hospital from 100 beds to 150 beds. I was on the Board of
Directors, for two terms.
In 1980, we physicians who had bought the hospital saw the
"handwriting-on-the-wall", concerning government
intervention in the practice of medicine. We opted to sell
the hospital to Brookwood Medical Center, a Birmingham
organization.
My out-of-pocket cost was $1000, for initial legal work by
our group. I signed a note for my portion of
the purchase price.... about $25,000.
When we sold the hospital, each of the sellers received a
check for $427,500.... and the notes and debt for the money
we had borrowed, for our initial purchase from the City of
Northport, were absorbed by the Birmingham purchaser.
1978 -- My wife and I bought a 160 acre FARM in Hale
County, Alabama (also in my "solo" professional
corporation). This farm included a well-built, small frame
house, with three bedrooms, and one bath room.
"Five-Mile-Creek" wound through this beautiful farm. Paid
$65,000 to Jody Hinkson. Sold this farm in 1989 for
$110,000.... part of which we financed at 11% to the
purchasers. This amount was collected, also, by Regions
Bank, which held the assets of my solo corporation.
1978 -- My wife and I bought the first of 12 rental
houses in Tuscaloosa, Alabama -- the house adjacent to the
parking-lot of my office. Purchase price, $32,000; bought
from Troy White, and his wife.
1979 -- Bought Florida house, on Panama Cith
Beach.... 4 bedroom brick house, directly on the Gulf....
sundeck, outside shower, etc. $125,000 including bedroom
furniture and den furniture.
1982 -- Bought country home with 7 acres. located on
Highway 69 South, ($65,000) from a patient whose husband had
died (Barlow).
( 1982 -- November, my first "heart attack", at age 54.
Hospitalized at Druid City Hospital, Tuscaloosa, Alabama;
under care of Dr. William Hill. Hospitalized for abut 10
days. Non-invasive, medical treatment. I returned to
full-time work in my medical practice, after being away for
a total of 4 weeks. )
1983 -- Sold Florida house, after hurricane damage to
beach and sundeck.... for $165,000.
1984 -- Bought 23 acres of undeveloped land from
Alice McLain Stewart ($46,000) adjacent to "Barlow" house,
mentioned above, on Highway 69 South -- south of Tuscaloosa,
Alabama. We named this acreage and its 5 houses
"KINGSWAY".
1986-1992 --
Subsequently bought several additional rental houses (total
12) in Tuscaloosa, each located close to one of the other
houses we owned, or in a part of town well-located for
growth in value. Each of these houses was bought with cash,
therefore not incurring any debt.
1987 -- Age 59 -- Retired
from medical practice,
in October 1987..... when symptoms compatible with
coronary insufficiency recurred.
( 1993 -- Age 65 [6 years after retirement, and
11 years after first "heart attack"] -- Coronary artery
three-vessel bypass operation.... November, 1993. Several
severe complications developed post-op. These are detailed
in my "Death
Note"
(link), written by me a few days after the operation....
when I felt that death was preferable to a life with severe
impairment. Fortunately, God ordained that I would recover,
and have additional "productive" years (this notation
written 3/1/02). )
Assignments,
vacations, trips, and professional meetings -- before and
after my marriage to Mary Phyllis Jackson, in 1959:
1958 -- New york City. My parents and Mary Phyllis
and I drove to New York City, in my new green Oldsmobile, a
4-door hardtop. We stayed in a downtown hotel, and we roamed
extensively around town. We went to a live television
performance of "The Telephone Hour". We went to Hayden's
Planetarium. We attended a stage production. We rode, by
subway, to a Yankee baseball game. We walked briefly into
Harlem. On the way home, on a Sunday, we drove to
Washington, D.C.; took pictures, went to the Capitol
Building, and walked around the area.
1958 -- San Francisco. I attended a meeting of "The
Endocrine Society", with Dr. S. Richardson Hill, and Dr.
James Pittman. I addition to attending the meeting. I went
to all the usual places, includig Muir Woods, Fisherman's
Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, the U. S. Mint, etc.
1959 -- Marriage to Mary Phyllis Jackson (of Tupelo,
Mississippi).... in Birmingham, Alabama. Honeymoon at
Sandpiper Motel, Panama City Beach, Florida.
1959 -- Montgmomery, Alabama -- Temporary duty (10
weeks) at Gunter Air Force Base. During this time, my bride
and I lived in an upstairs apartment, above my parents'
home.
1959 -- Ernest Harmon Air Force Base; Stephenville,
Newfoundland. Military assignment, for 2 1/2 years.
1960 -- Cornerbrook, Newfoundland; by automobile, on
Newfoundland roads. My wife and I drove, in our car; and we
were accompanied by Dr. and Mrs. Jim Aslanis (a
dentist).
1960 -- St. Johns, Newfoundland; PJT and I flew in a
military transport aircraft, with Col. Vivian, and Col.
Saul, to inspect medical equipment at a military base.
1961 -- Goose Bay Labrador -- war-exercise. I was sent, for
one week, to observe and report on medical aspects of this
Air Force exercise. My mother flew from Alabama to stay with
my wife and our infant daughter (Mary Alton), while I was
away.
1961 -- New York City. My wife and I rode
("space-available") in a military aircraft from Newfoundland
to MacGuire AFB, in New Jersey. We then went to New York
City for a shopping trip to buy maternity clothes, etc. We
stayed in a downtown hotel for a few nights.
1962-1963 -- MacDill AFB; military assignment; my last year
of military obligation to the U. S. Air Force. At the time
we transferred from Newfoundland to Florida, my wife was
very much pregnant with our second baby (John Nrton Todd
IV), who was born at MacDill AFB, on 6/25/62.
1962 -- Medical meeting in San Francisco, at the "Presidio".
I was sent to the medical meeting as an Air Force medical
officer.
1962 -- Flew to Chicago to take second part ("orals") of
examination for certification by the American Board of
Internal Medicine. I passed the examination, and became
"Board Certified", while I was still in the U. S. Air
Force.
1963 -- We moved from MacDill AFB to the location of my
private medical practice, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.... where I
practiced in a solo-practice for 25 years, until
retirement.
1963 -- Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We moved to Tuscaloosa in July,
1963.... and we're still here (as of this writing,
2/26/02).... and we still love this town, and this state,
and this wonderful country -- The U.S.A.
1963-2002.... MORE
wil be posted here, from time-to-time, about our
later "offsprings"; my medical practice; vacations and trips
with the family; medical meetings; our apple farm in
Bibb County, Alabama; our second farm (Hale County,
Alabama).... and yellow-jacket stories; investments in
property, and stocks and bonds; motor bikes; automobiles.
etc. etc.
Cars,
and Trucks, and motorbikes:
1. 1952 -- My
first personally-owned automobile was a 1949 two-door
Chevrolet sedan, a medium-gray vehicle, a very important and
dear friend to me. I bought this car in Montgomery, Alabama,
with $500 that was lent to me (at "zero" interest, by Mr.
and Mrs Guy Brightwell, of Montgomery). I repaid the loan in
1956, after receiving one of my first U.S. Air Force
salary-payments. I kept this car until late 1956.
ALL SUBSEQUENTLY SHOWN CARS WERE BOUGHT NEW AT A
DEALERSHIP.
2. 1956 -- I bought a "brand-new" 1957 4-door "hardtop"
Oldsmobile -- green-and-white. I bought the
car from "Steel-City Oldsmobile", in Birmingham. When I
bought this new "Olds", I gave the 1949 "Chevy" to my
parents. My father used this old Chevy as a "business-car"
in his business as a "safe-cracker" and owner of a
lock-and-key business. In 1959, when I was assigned to
Newfoundland (in the USAF), I drove the Olds from
Montgomery. Alabama (where I was assigned to Gunter Air
Force Base) -- to Newfoundland. (PJT rode with me to
Hartford, Connecticut, where she boarded a plane to fly back
to Montgomery, until I obtained "housing" in
Newfoundland).
In Newfoundland, where PJT and I lived from Novermber 1959
until April 1962, this "Olds" performed beautifully. When we
left Newfoundland, we flew via a USAF passenger airpland to
McGuire AFB in New Jersey, where we picked up the green
Olds.... and drove to Montgomery, and later to Tampa,
Florida.... to MacDill AFB.... where we lived until July
1962.
3. 1962 Buick, "baby-blue", 4-door hardtop,
brand-new. My wife and I bought this car in Tampa,
Florida.... just before we moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to
begin my career in the private practice of Internal
Medicine. We still owned and used the 1957 Olds.
4. 1964 -- We bought a new Volkswagen Beetle ($1300).
We then gave the 1957 Olds to my parents.
5. 1965 -- Buick Riviera.... my first
"professional" car.
6. 1965 -- We sold the too-small Volks Beetle, and bought a
dark-green Datsun station-wagon (from Boozer
Motor Company).
7. 1967 -- Volvo.... we traded the Datsun for
a larger, light-blue Volvo station-wagon.
8. 1969 -- Traded the Volvo station-wagon for a larger and
heavier Pontiac station-wagon. (By then, we
had 4 children.)
9. 1967 -- Buick Riviera. My second Riviera --
traded 1965 Riviera for this Riviera.
10. 1970 -- Cadillac, 2-door hardtop; green,
with white top. Family car.
11.1968 -- Chevrolet Corvette; dark green. Traded for
Corvette with largest engine.
12. 1969 -- Chevrolet Corvette; Ontario orange.
Traded in 3 years for white Ford Thunderbird.
13. 1971 -- Ford Thunderbird, a giant car which we did'nt
like. Traded in B'ham for Mercedes 450-SL.
14. 1972 -- Mercedes-Benz, 450-SL.... white, with
medium-blue removable hardtop, and dark-blue retractable
soft-top. Bought new in Birmingham, at downtown location
(Crown Auto). Paid $13,700. (We kept this car for 11 years,
and then sold it to Taury Cochran (Tuscaloosa), for $13,000
cash.)
xx. 1974 -- 4-door Buick Electra Limited. Kept for two
years. Then, donated to parents of author.
15. 1975 -- Mercedes-Benz, 450-SEL; bought in Birmingham, at
Crown Auto (downtown). Medium blue-gray color. Kep this one
for nearly 8 years. Traded for1982 Lincoln Mark 7, at
DeLoach Motors.
16. 1976 -- Buick two door hardtop; FIRST CAR
for one of our children -- Mary Alton; age 16.
Bought from Leigh Buick, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
17. 1978 -- Jeep truck; for John Todd IV, age 16;
his first car; bought from local dealer in
Tuscaloosa.
18. 1980 -- Honda, 4-door beige. For AMY, age 16, her
first car. Bought from local Honda dealer. (Subsequently, we
bought her a 4-door Acura, soft-red color.)
19. 1983 -- Mazda sedan, 5-door; for Tom David; age
16. (Traded later after he drove this car for 96,000
miles... traded for a new 2-door Honda hardtop, at a
dealer in Birmighman, Alabama, when Tom David was a student
at Samford University.
20. 1982 -- Lincoln Continental. Bought from Deloach Motors,
Tuscaloosa. Didn't like it. Sold it in less-than a year, to
Taury Cochrane, (Contemporary Motors); Mitusbishi dealer, in
Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
21. 1983 -- Mercedes-Benz, 450-SEL; from Boozer Mercedes in
Tuscaloosa. Light-green metallic. Sold it later to Deloach
Motors.
22. 1985 -- Honda, 2-door coupe. Bought in Birmingham, for
Tom David, as a graduation present, as he completed his
bachelor's degree at Samford University, in Birmingham.
SKIP
FROM HERE, to lastest-owned automobiles. I will come back,
later, and "fill-in-the-gap" about automobiles and trucks
that we owned between 1985, and the
present.
1995 -- Mercedes-Benz, E-420. "Blackberry" color. I slid on
the ice, on a bridge, in this car, on Christmas morning, on
the way to Pine Valley assisted-living-home, to pick up my
94 year-old mother. The car was heavily damaged (insurance
paid me $22,000). (I was not injured.) I sold the car for
$31000 to the owner of "Classic cars" in Birmingham.
1997 -- Mercedes-Benz; E-320. "Smoke Silver" color. We
bought this car with the money from the sale of the damaged
1995 Mercedes.
1998 -- Mercedes-Benz; ML 320. Burgundy-color. We bought
this vehicle just after they were first manufactured,
nearby, in Vance Alabama. We traded this car, later for the
2000 Mercedes ML 320, mentioned below.
2000 -- Mercedes-Benz; ML 320. Midnight-blue metallic.
2000 -- Toyota TUNDRA truck. Red metallic. Four-door. We
bought this when the Tundra's first became available. We
traded a Toyota Tacoma (green)
2002 -- Mercedes-Bence 320 SLK.... sports coupe, with
retractable hard-top; "Firemist Red" color (we call it
"Valentine Red", and we consider this to be PJT's "Medicare
Medicar".) Traded-in Mercedes E-320.
2003 -- Mercedes-Benz ML 350. Silver color. Bought from
Leigh Mercedes in Tuscaloosa. My wife and I and daughter
Mary Alton took delivery of this vehicle at the Mercedes
plant in Vance, Alabama... where the vehicle was
manufactured. (We traded a 2000 ML 320, for this new
SUV.)
All of the above information on automobiles is subject to
revision, as we review our sales records, and automobile
insurance records.
More to be recorded, later.
10/28/05