Freddie Died Yesterday

Fred Scurry died after a brief illness yesterday. Fred grew up in a small house right next to the railroad tracks... so close that in one derailment, a railroad car hit a corner of the house. Without any support, he worked his way through a law degree at Howard University. That was a huge accomplishment. After that he returned to London where he lived the rest of his life. He was the city law director in the 70's, no small accomplishment for a black man in this town. He used his knowledge and skills to help people in London who needed the most help.

I knew Fred from caddying at the golf club for my mother. He was the leader of the group of teenagers earning money there. He worked and he worked hard. And he played hard as an adult. Alcoholism was his challenge and he did give up alcohol during the last year of his life. I will remember Fred as the Last Cruiser. He would cruise the streets of London with the top down on his convertible, dressed to the nines! An era is completely lost with his passing.

Fred went far on his own hard work. Most of us get some help and support on the way, but he did it all on his own.