Frederick Vail

So sorry to learn of another ECHS classmate who has passed on. Dave's father was Pastor of St. Mark's United Methodist Church, next to the former Orville Wright Elementary School. It was our family's home Church for a number of years. Both of my parent's Memorial Services were held there. Dave and I sang in the Youth Choir and in our 'unofficial' Madrigal group at ECHS. We've learned of three of our former classmates who have passed on this year and it certainly makes us re-evaluate our lives, look back with fondness of our younger days, when there was no Covid-19 to deal with (I guess Polio was the Covid-19 of ours, and our parent's generation. I remember taking the sugar cube vacine in the cafeteria/assembly room at Orville Wright. Mr. Foreman was the Principal and many who went to Orville Wright moved on to Thomas Starr King when it opened). Even though Dave and I did not keep in touch following our graduation from ECHS, the bond we formed while classmates was--and is--a lasting one. RIP, Dave. You were a great guy, a good friend, and will be missed by your classmates, family, extended family, and all who knew you. 

Sorry to hear another ECHS classmate has passed. I did not know Jerry well but that does not diminish the sadness of learning of another passing. I hope all my fellow ECHS classmates are safe and well during these crazy 'new normal' times. I for one cannot wait for the return to the 'old normal.'  Stay safe, one and all.   Fred

Hope all of you are safe from the Covid-19 pandemic. Wow. The 'old normal' would be very welcome now, indeed. Still going out to eat frequently....always sitting out doors when possible. Miss the large screen movies....too many re-runs on the tele. I know I've posted this before but if any of you have any of the El Caminians from our years at ECHS, I'd love to get hold of some of the features I wrote--particularly the one with me and Pat Boone, from our junior year, if I recall It was one of the issues that was printed on green paper. Also if any of you have pix of our all-night grad party. Love to see them. Take care, stay safe, and visit us if you're ever in "Music City, USA" 615-297-0700. Still at Treasure isle 40 years and counting. Jason Aldean is starting his 10th album with us. The great James Taylor just recorded with us for the second time. Nice guy. On the personal side--and I know many of you have grand-kids, but our daughter, Taylor, 21, is entering her senior year at Cornell. She's home this summer, like most college students, and is studying for her M-cat exam. Yes, she's pre-med. Stay safe one and all.

Wow. Just read Gay's post tellling us about Carole's passing. RIP, Gaylyn. 

I just left a comment on Randy's page. As I said in that rememberance, I remember them the way we were in ECHS so many years ago. Full of life and youthful optimism. I remember Carole's smale and the fun times we shared in various school drama productions. Mr. Teal's classes and plays are still vivid in my mind. I'm glad that Carole contributed so much via her work for MADD and thereafter. A great life we^{ll lived. RIP}

Greetings classmates, near and far. Like so many of the posts I've read regarding the passing of Randy and Carole--and the impact they had on our lives before, during or after ECHS, their greatest--and last--gift is that we all remember them with such fondness. We remember the indelible  mark they left on us. We cherish those memories and we now pray for them and their families and extended families. Oddly, when I think of Randy, I think of him the way he was back iwhen we ran into each other in the hallways or when I saw him on the basketball court in the Boy's Gym. It was always Randy's sportsmanship that I remember most. I had no idea he was such an accomplished student. I certainly did not know he graduated from Stanford. My family has gone there since 1899--four generations, including my Father and Uncle. I was NEVER Stanford material. I knew that early on:) As to Carole, it was ithe connection we had to Mr. Teal and Drama--class plays and other such endeavors. I've said it before: "It's not the aches and pains of growing old--not the dimished eyesight or hearing--that hurt me the most. It's saying "good-bye" to all those who we grew up with, Who nurtured us--be it parents, family, teachers or friends. Our lives are all richer because of Randy and Carole. RIP.

Hi, Susan...sorry for the trouble trying to hook up. Ken told me you had wanted to get a message to me (not sure whether phone, e-mail, or through the ECHS62 site. Either way, here's all the info: phone (615) 297.0700, e-mail MuzikBiz01@aol.com or via this site. I should check it out more frequently than I do, but wanted to get this off to you before I add my thoughts regarding Randy and Carole. So sad. Stay safe. Fred Franklin, TN 15 miles south of Music City, USA!

Hope you and your families are doing well during these tragic and uncertain times. Keep in mind our families are survivors and our parents weathered the Spanish Flu outbreak of 1917-1918 just fine! Fondly remember our years at Orville Wright, Starr King and ECHS! A very “Happy Birthday” birthday ?? to you. Stay healthy and ditto to your sister and Jim and his family.

Posted on: Mar 25, 2020 at 5:27 PM

Great reading about your life leaving ECHS. I’m in the midst of a project and will add to this in the next day or two—but one quick question: was the history teacher you refer to “Mr. Moser,” as opposed to “Mosby?” Await your reply. “Safe at home” in Franklin, TN. Fred

Posted on: Mar 24, 2020 at 4:35 AM

Posted on: Jun 23, 2019 at 8:09 PM

Happy Birthday to my Orville Wright, Starr King, ECHS, A Cappella, Arden Oaks friend! Hope you're doing great and music is still keeping you YOUNG and ACTIVE. Have a great summer and year and continue to share your truly God-given gift with others! Fred

Greetings from 20 miles south of "Music City, USA," Jim....saw your recent pix on your Scotland/London/UK trip. Some great photos and captions. I am a huge fan of the UK, especially London, with all it's history. Actually, my Father's side of the Vail/Dodd clan is from Scotland and Ireland. The Dodd farm is still in the family as far as I know and that is well over 150 years. My folks visited it, along with an Aunt and Uncle, and at least one cousin, but It's on my "Bucket List" to do someday soon, perhaps, next year. As to London, I've been fortunate to visit there at least four times, spoke at an International Beach Boys event there in '03. In 2010, Debbie, Taylor and I visited London, Liverpool, Manchester, Chelmsford, and stayed at the Marriott County Hall, our room window was literally next to "the Eye" That city is loaded with history, which is one of my passions, and 10 Downing Street, Parliament, the 'war rooms,' the Royal Military Museum, the changing of the guard are all great memories. Of course, visiting Abby Road, the studio were all those great George Martin/Beatles records were made, was another highlight of my visits there. Who can resist getting a photo of the famous street crossing outside the studio, or the iconic Cavern Club in Liverpool where the Beatles thing really got off the ground. Speaking of the London/UK experience, just saw "Rocketman" this weekend...enjoyed the film and it certainly showed the complex life of Sir Elton, whom I had the pleasure of visiting with (he was a special 'surprise' walk-on guest at a Beach Boys/Chicago concert at Colorado State University on July 6, 1975. ) And, yes, unlike his 'on stage' persona, he is quite introverted in a one on one scenario. Always enjoy your pix and observations, Jim. Say 'hi' to Karen.

Posted on: Apr 02, 2019 at 2:33 PM

Great to read about your accomplishments in public service. We certainly had a number of 'leaders' among our classmates at ECHS. Your lucky to live in the Puget Sound area...my wife, Debbie, grew up in Seattle and the Tri-Cities, which was were I met her in 1995. We have looked at the Oregon and Washington coast as a possible retirement destination. but I have no intention of retiring:) Love Middle TN and the music biz to much and still have my studio which I started 40 years ago. We're now the 3rd oldest studio in Nashville still under it's original ownership and management. As to public service, while most know me as a former manager of The Beach Boys and a studio owner, in my 'other life' I ran for the US House of Representatives twice. losing in the primary in '84 and as the Reagan Republican nominee in '86, losing to the incumbent Democrat. That span of four years were among the happiest times of my life. My platform included term limits, a flat tax, strong defense, and a self directed IRA type of system to provide an additional safety net for a failing Social Seurity System. 35 years later nothing has been done in the majority of these cases. Term limits would dramatically help the system and problems we are seeing today. Have a great remainder of the year!

As I just wrote your lovely sister, I'll send my birthday greetings a bit early this year, as opposed to late, as it was last year:) Spring has finally come to Middle TN and it's sunny and mid-70's today. It was a pretty cold winter, but, fortunately, no much snow. Remembering, fondly, our childhood escapades and travels--and those fab years at Orville Wright, Starr King and ECHS. So glad our families were so close and our dear mother's great friendship and bond. Have a great birthday, and a great remainder of 2019! Fred (and Debbie)

Okay, this time I'll be a week early instead of a little late:) Just heard from Gary regarding a niece (or nephew) who will be moving to Nashville in the not-too-distant-future. I beat the 'rush' and moved here 45 years ago:) Never looked back. Love it here...the quality of life, the Conservative (well, for the most part) politics, no state income tax and certainly the 'cost of living.' I do miss my occassional visits to the 'left coast,' as I don't travel as much as I did a few years ago. I lost an Aunt and a second cousin, who was more like a 'big' sister, in the past two months. Mary Jean had lived with us when we were in San Francisco and before we moved to Long Beach, then Sacramento. She was 88, Aunt Gladys was in her mid 90's, 97 if memory serves me correctly. Definitely lead a great live and was active until the very end. Hope you and your sister have a great day. Regards to the families. Taylor is a sophomore pre-med student at Cornell, and is hopefully doing a summer internship at Vandy Medical Center in late May or June. Have a great remainder of '19 and no more 'falls.' :) Fred (and Debbie)