Editor-Gazette-Journal:

One thing I could count on when stopping by Tri-County before it closed was my good friend Al Booker. Whether it was local politics, the Red Sox, UVA sports, Al had his opinions.

We go way back. Al spent one quarter in Richmond at Smithdeal Massey Business College in 1965. Corky Hogge, Rupert Thomas, myself and Al, what a crew. Not much studying for Al but lots of trips to Bill’s BBQ and checking out all the girls from RPI. We even went to the state track meet in Charlottesville following the GHS track team. George Rhodes did well along with some of the other runners. Al was a Casanova in those days. Had a Corvette and was very popular.

Al was a good athlete himself. Played on Smokers softball team with him and he was our pitcher. The slow pitch league was very popular back then. So many of those that played in ’70s, ’80s and ’90s are gone. Too many to list. Great memories and so many good players.

Very sorry to hear of Al’s passing. I worked at the...