Gardendale senior had long career with L&N Railroad

Seniors

Related Photos

Special

Discussion

June 3, 2009

Gardendale senior had long career with L&N Railroad

Anonymous The North Jefferson News Wed Jun 03, 2009, 03:58 PM CDT

Senior Spotlight By Margie Holloway

Special to The North Jefferson News

Howard McIntyre, 93, was born in Evergreen and has lived in Gardendale for many years.

It only seems right to refer to this gentleman as Howard, rather than Mr. McIntyre, because you feel you have known him forever after only spending a few minutes with him.

It doesn’t surprise me that Howard “fell in love at first site” and eventually married Martha Evelyn Pitts. They both attended Gardendale school at the time they met. Their marriage lasted 66 years, six months and one day. They have one daughter, Alice, who lives one block away from him.

As he was growing up, his life was filled with working a garden and playing ball for the schools he attended. He graduated from Mortimer Jordan High School.

He worked for the L&N; Railroad and the WPA (Works Progress Administration) as an adult. Work ethic was important to him as he started at the bottom and continued to climb up at L&N;, before retiring from the mechanical department.

On this particular day, he had a very nice belt buckle from L&N; which I noticed right away. He is proud to have been associated with the railroad.

After a long work career, Howard is all about fun these days. His favorite past-time is dominoes. There was a friend anxiously waiting for our meeting to end so that he could get to the game. I asked him what his favorite meal was and he replied, “food is food,” adding “I’ll eat home food,” especially fried chicken.

I had just left a dental visit ( he of course did not know this) and he remarked to me, “I have all my own teeth.” Very impressive, but I had to laugh because he just didn’t know how I envied someone with great teeth.

I had a few more questions, when someone across the room yelled, “He’s a Romeo,” which I understood completely.

His favorite trip was to an Alabama State Park with his wife and some friends many years ago. We couldn’t decide which park, but it was a great time; he said he will never forget.

You can find Howard at the Gardendale Senior Center most of the time. He has several nicknames, one of which is “Roo” (kangaroo) because he carries cookies around in his pocket. He loves cookies and hides them in his shirt pocket for a snack later in the afternoons.

Everyone at the center loves him, and he loves everyone. I enjoyed talking with Howard and watching people react with him.

I will consider this a very memorable experience for a very ordinary Tuesday. Thanks, Howard.

Text Only

Seniors

Elder mediation can ease conflicts
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

April 22, 2011
Senior Center News
For more information about the Fultondale Senior Center, call 849-0916.

March 4, 2011
Savvy Senior
Dear Savvy Senior
What can you tell me the about the constant ear ringing syndrome known as tinnitus? At age 56, I have had it for several years but it has gotten more and more noticeable lately. Is there anything I can do?
— Ringing Rhonda

March 4, 2011
Savvy Senior
Dear Savvy Senior
What can you tell me
the about the constant ear
ringing syndrome known
as tinnitus?

February 25, 2011
Civitan’s ‘General’ wins major recognition Gardendale native Robert E. Lee is revered as “The General of Recruiting” as the president of the Gardendale Civitan Club.

Lee has led the club for more than 20 years and he’s recruited about 200 people into the organization. “There’s a secret to recruiting for Civitans and I’m one of the few people that knows it,” he said. “The secret is a-s-k. You just have to ask people to join.”
August 24, 2009
Area seniors welcome in Fultondale We are excited about all of the things happening at the Fultondale Senior Center. We’d love to invite all seniors over the age of 60 to join us.
August 19, 2009
Seniors getting informed, dancing at center July has brought many new members to the center.

We are so very happy to see folks come in to enjoy our various programs and activities.
July 29, 2009
Retired teacher loves shopping, family time Lillie Y. Patterson has lived in the North Jefferson area for 63 years.

A retired teacher from the Birmingham City School System, she tutors in her spare time.
July 1, 2009 1 Photo
Morris native enjoys flowers, spending time with grandkids My niece Maria and I went out for a girls day several Saturdays ago and ran into a delightful lady, Erin Sullivan.

Mrs. Sullivan grew up in Morris and has many friends in the Morris and Gardendale communities.
June 24, 2009 1 Photo
Person You Should Know — Bernice Chandler
June 17, 2009 1 Photo
More Seniors Headlines

Seniors

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

Gardendale senior had long career with L&N Railroad

Site Map

Contact Us