Alan and I were in kindergarten, North Roebuck & Banks ( the first 2 years) together. Alan was always studious, polite, neat as a pin, athletic, & tall!! Since I was the tallest girl in elementary school, that was an obvious match for being a couple. He was a bit shy and polite. He was a great guy. Our 8th grade year we were together for our 'prom' held at the country club. By Freshman year, we were not a couple any more. I had moved to East Lake and we didn't have any classes together. He was always a great friend however. When I was at Auburn, he came down from Tuscaloosa fora weekend event. He said he saw me & heard my name on the PA system. However, we did not find each other then.
Decades go by, Facebook was made history. I was downloading all my group class pictures from 85th Street Baptist Church kindergarten & North Roebuck class pictures to share with everyone. Alan reached out and I was thrilled to be in contact again. He spoke about his life and at that time his wife had died. He spoke of his family and friends. Alan spoke about David Cutcliffe and his family. Though I always knew David was a great guy, his friendship with Alan through life was enviable. I have never met David's wife, I felt like I had. The friendship and support they gave Alan especially after his wife's death was remarkable. Acts of true friends. We stayed in touch, but not regularly. He talked about dating and getting together with friends again.
His death caught me off guard. He was a great person and I am so appreciative for his friendship. To alll the football players who got together, those times meant so much to Alan and you have a special place in my heart.
I appreciate your nice compliments about Alan Atkins. I talked to Alan just three days before he left us and was planning on buying his lunch the day I was informed of his death. I knew Alan had been a bit depressed and unhappy so I was trying to stay in touch with him two or three times each week.
He was a wonderful friend, a terrific dad and a five-star gentleman in every way. Let's all do a better job keeping in touch with each other.
Pam Gunnin (Bukart)
Alan and I were in kindergarten, North Roebuck & Banks ( the first 2 years) together. Alan was always studious, polite, neat as a pin, athletic, & tall!! Since I was the tallest girl in elementary school, that was an obvious match for being a couple. He was a bit shy and polite. He was a great guy. Our 8th grade year we were together for our 'prom' held at the country club. By Freshman year, we were not a couple any more. I had moved to East Lake and we didn't have any classes together. He was always a great friend however. When I was at Auburn, he came down from Tuscaloosa fora weekend event. He said he saw me & heard my name on the PA system. However, we did not find each other then.
Decades go by, Facebook was made history. I was downloading all my group class pictures from 85th Street Baptist Church kindergarten & North Roebuck class pictures to share with everyone. Alan reached out and I was thrilled to be in contact again. He spoke about his life and at that time his wife had died. He spoke of his family and friends. Alan spoke about David Cutcliffe and his family. Though I always knew David was a great guy, his friendship with Alan through life was enviable. I have never met David's wife, I felt like I had. The friendship and support they gave Alan especially after his wife's death was remarkable. Acts of true friends. We stayed in touch, but not regularly. He talked about dating and getting together with friends again.
His death caught me off guard. He was a great person and I am so appreciative for his friendship. To alll the football players who got together, those times meant so much to Alan and you have a special place in my heart.
James Dennis Gallups
I appreciate your nice compliments about Alan Atkins. I talked to Alan just three days before he left us and was planning on buying his lunch the day I was informed of his death. I knew Alan had been a bit depressed and unhappy so I was trying to stay in touch with him two or three times each week.
He was a wonderful friend, a terrific dad and a five-star gentleman in every way. Let's all do a better job keeping in touch with each other.
Thank you again Pam.
Dennis Gallups
Class of 1972