Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 37 Location: Shores of Lake Buzzard Roost
30 year Reflection « Thread Started on Jan 27, 2005, 8:01am »
As some of the Class of 1975 did not know that on August 31, 1975 I was in a terrible accident and lost two good friends. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about that night and the talk and gossip that spread around town. Some Classmates didn't even know it even happened mainly because they were off to College. On August the 31, 1975 around 10:45 p.m. on a Sunday night the regular group of us were hanging out at Rocky's Texaco as we did every Sunday. Mike had just got a new 1975 Rally Camaro and wanted to take me for a ride before he had to go home. Mike, Joe, Mitchell and Randy had been riding around all day and returned to Rocky's to take me for a cruise in his car. Mitchell got out and I got in on the passengers side. Mike was driving, Joe was sitting behind him and Randy was behind me. We left Rocky's and never returned. We went toward the C-mart and made the circle and headed back toward PC. At the red light we took a right on Maple. Back during that time there were no lights alone the roadside, large hedges were on the banks of the curbs causing blind spots and loose stone covered the road. As we approached the new Library at PC and rounded the curb, it seemed as if a car was in the middle of the road stopped. The officials estimated we were going over 65 mph which is not right. As Mike attempted to brake the car skidded sideways and the other car hit us on the drivers side door. Mike and Joe died at the scene and Randy and I were taken to Bailey Hospital. Randy had several broken bones and remained at Clinton and I was transferred to Greenwood and listed in critical condition. Randy and I became close friends and keep in touch as much as time allows us. We both ask that you still continue to pray for us. The operation I had lasted over twelve hours. I had a lot of internal injuries. You may have heard or read about people having an out-of-body-experience, well I had one or a dream that was real. For years I would not talk about that night. As I was lying in ICU, I over heard the Doctors tell my Mother to get the family together that I would not make it. I remember them packing me on ice as my fever rose to 105.2. I was on life support machines and still heard people talking around me. I had a lot of visitors come into the room, but it seem as if I were lying in a coffin as they were passing. As I laid there and over heard the doctors say you need to call in the family, my room was filled with such brightness and my Great Great Grandmother appeared before me. My Grandmother had passed away when I was ten years old. She said come with me son you will be all right. (The Bright Light that is talked about) It seemed as that I got up out of bed and walked through her house seeing and remembering things that I haven't thought about in over ten years. Well, to make a long story short all the medical doctors had given up but , I am here writing this today. A divine healing one Doctor put it. The rumors really flew that week. No, we were not drinking, no we were not drag racing on Maple and as far as pills and weed, no. Those of you that knew me knew how I felt about drugs. That night someone stole my car and tape player while all of this was taking place. What makes it so bad I know who you are and have talked to you a lot over the years and wonder how do you face me. Instead of be being my old self back then and taking matters in my own hands. I am letting the guilt eat away at you "FRIEND." I was told by others that the car that hit us the guys in it had just left a fraternity house drunk and that the brothers of the fraternity removed the beer and liquor from their car before the cops got to the accident scene. The one guy that was supposedly hurt the worst in the other car called me the day I got out of the hospital and wanted to talk about what happened. I told him that I knew what had happened and that he should never, ever set foot in front of me! At work some 10 years after the accident a man walked up to me and asked, "Are you one of those guys that was in a wreck behind PC?" I replied yes, he said I was one that rode with you in the back of the ambulance to Greenwood with the Doctor. I just wanted to tell you that the Doctor told me to tell the driver not to be in a hurry that you would not make it to Greenwood. I just needed to get that of my chest for many of years. The Doctor said you were almost gone. God had touched my life for a reason and I am grateful that he did. It is by HIS grace that I sit here today typing this. Even though I have recently became disabled because of the injuries that I had, I am still thankful. I think about Joe and Mike a lot now. I never will get over it. I can still hear them now as we pass in the halls at school shouting out "Daddy Ron."
I have been asked and have spoke several times at different Churches in the past. I can no longer at this time speak at any more engagements. For a free copy of the testimony on tape please email me your request. In Memory of: Mike Johnson Joe Cothran
Special Thanks to : Rev. Randy Humphries Claude Crocker Jr Officer Wright Simpson Jack Herman Veal Linda Darby W.Keith Richardson Bill "Old Man" Rhodes ALL the Prayers ...and my other two Friends! and a special thanks to the three lovely ladies that visited me a couple of times while riding their bicycles, it really meant a lot.
Re: 30 year Reflection « Reply #1 on Feb 6, 2005, 6:52am »
Ron, I really didn't know this had happened either. Sad to hear this. I always enjoyed your sense of humor and your smile as you always brigthen up my bad days at CHS.
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 37 Location: Shores of Lake Buzzard Roost
Re: 30 year Reflection « Reply #2 on Aug 31, 2005, 4:47am »
Today I pause to reflect on that sad night in my life. Thirty one years have past and I still think about the accident everyday. I just don't think a person gets over such devistation as that. It's even hard to learn to live with it. Today is Augyst 31, 2005 Thinking of Randy also
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 37 Location: Shores of Lake Buzzard Roost
Re: 30 year Reflection « Reply #4 on Aug 31, 2006, 11:26am »
Another year has past and we still reflect back on that sad night. I have talked to Randy several times on the phone, as he is still fighting his battle with cancer. We ask that you continue to Pray for us, as we will the Class of 75'. Time is slipping away for some of us as the years pass. I ask the Class one thing and that's is to never let anything keep you from a visit with a friend. I can remember my last visit with David Campbell, he said "Folks need to visit while they are alive and not at the funeral Homes." I cherish the friendship he and I had over the years.
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 37 Location: Shores of Lake Buzzard Roost
Re: 30 year Reflection « Reply #5 on Aug 31, 2007, 4:54am »
Another year has past and we still reflect back on that sad night of August 31, 1975. Today makes thirty two years. I have talked to Randy several times on the phone, as he is doing some better. We still ask that you continue to Pray for us, as we will the Class of 75'. Time is slipping away for some of us as another year has passed us by.
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 37 Location: Shores of Lake Buzzard Roost
Re: 30 year Reflection « Reply #6 on Aug 31, 2008, 6:49am »
Once more time has passed and another year is here. As I grow older it gets harder and that day becomes more vivid dealing with that night. Whom ever said that time heals all is wrong! Most of us are in our fifties now and we began to think of our health and friends.Well.most of us are fifty unless you are like Alan Petty and you are sixty! Don't forget, visit your friends and clasmates when you can. We lost three more classmates this year. I pause once again to remember Mike and Joe. So mode it Be.
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 37 Location: Shores of Lake Buzzard Roost
Re: 30 year Reflection « Reply #7 on Dec 4, 2008, 9:07pm »
Hey Guys! For the past four years, as my health permits, I have been writing a book. Hopefully it will be ready by the end of 2009.titled: "I Died But Lived To Tell My Story" We still need some help promoting this site. We owe the Clinton Cheerleaders $98.00. for two years in the football program. If you can help with any or part of this, it would be appreciated. $5.00 would do wonders. You can email me at : ronepage68@aol.com or send it to Mrs Roth at the High School. Thanks, God Bless!
Hey Guys! For the past four years, as my health permits, I have been writing a book. Hopefully it will be ready by the end of 2009.titled: "I Died But Lived To Tell My Story" We still need some help promoting this site. We owe the Clinton Cheerleaders $98.00. for two years in the football program. If you can help with any or part of this, it would be appreciated. $5.00 would do wonders. You can email me at : ronepage68@aol.com or send it to Mrs Roth at the High School. Thanks, God Bless!
Below is a copy of the invoice that was sent. If you want you can send one of the amounts of $40.00 to Ms Dale Roth at the High School. Make sure you put it's for the Class of '75 ads. Thanks for your support! email us if you are helping out.
CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADERS CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL 800 NORTH AD AIR STREET CLINTON, SOUTH CAROLINA 29325 PHONE 864-833-0817 EXT 115
Dale Roth Cheerleading Coach
Customer: Address:
Ron Page 1'77 Anglers Haven Road Cross Hill, SC 29332
STATEMENT Date _8-4-08___ Description _ads for the year: 2007 & 2008 2@$40.00 Amount Due $90.00
Please remit payment to the above address. Thank you Dale Roth
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 37 Location: Shores of Lake Buzzard Roost
Re: 30 year Reflection « Reply #9 on Aug 31, 2009, 3:52am »
Time is moving fast now, and it seems that this day comes around quicker as each year passes. It's 4:00 am I could not sleep much at all last night as I was reflecting of this day back in 1975. The thousands of "what ifs" went through my mine. I just cannot get over how so many lives were changed in such a short time that night in Clinton. I have already written Randy by email this morning and will try to reach him via telephone later today. If you would and you are reading this, please keep us in your prayers. In a situation like ours, I don't think times heals. I do know my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ does! I pause once again to remember Mike and Joe. So mode it Be.
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