Clyde’s Corner: Missing you old friend. Oh, the times we had.
by Clyde Whitaker
Where do you begin when writing about a lifelong friend, and the experiences you shared, after he was taken away too early due to the complications of diabetes?
I could write way more than the pages in this newspaper, but I will keep it short (Ed Wetherall…lol), in talking about a few life experiences shared with my old friend, John Stanfield.
John and I first met in the fourth grade at Katz Elementary in Munith, after my family moved from the Krummrey Farm and we bought a house on Territorial Road, just outside of Munith.
We were always trying to outdo each other during recess, at whatever sport we were playing. One day, in fifth grade, John and I were scuffling outside during recess and our teacher, Mrs. Mitchell, sent us back to the classroom. She said we had to come to an understanding before we could participate in recess again. After about 5 minutes indoors, John and I looked at each other and decided we would be friends! From that moment, we did become lifelong friends. Funny thing, John was my best man at my wedding 45 years ago.
John and I always were competing to see who was better in baseball. John was a substitute who played the outfield, and I pitched and also played the outfield when not pitching. The players’ benches back in the day were mostly made out of wood. One day, we were playing a game up in Perry. John jumped up and told coach Ron Driscoll, “Coach, I got a splinter in my butt.” Coach Driscoll just laughed and said, “Forget it, Stanfield,” (meaning: “You are not going into the game!”).
Finally, John and I loved to shoot clay pigeons at the Munith Rod and Gun Club. Every Friday night, under the lights, you could hear the guns booming and the clay pigeons being vaporized. John and I reloaded our own shells after shooting them, sometimes packing a double dose of powder into the shells. You could always tell when you got a double-packed shell because it would kick you like a mule. We just would look at each other and laugh, so much fun!
John was a great bowler, always kissing his bowling ball before throwing it and rolling several 300 games in Jackson. He also was a great hunter and a great friend.
There are so many more stories I could describe, but maybe another time.
‘Til we meet again, my friend.
Photos provided by Clyde Whitaker.
John Stanfield and Clyde Whitaker always were competing to see who was better in baseball. Here they are with the Stockbridge varsity baseball team of 1973. Standing (l-r): Chuck Vizthum, John Stanfield and Clyde Whitaker. Kneeling: Alan Cowan.
Forty-five years ago, John Stanfield (far right) stood up as best man in Clyde and Mary Whitaker’s wedding. Also pictured (l-r): Jody (Bennett) Elliott, Mary Beth (McGinn) Whitaker, and Clyde Whitaker.
