Dray Moorman
My name is DRay Moorman.
Barbara was friends with my mother just after my dad dies at 5 years old. She stepped in and became a second mom. I remember getting caught egging and papering a house with friends. I was scared and did nothing but watch in horror. The police soon arrived at my house and my mom was in the hospital and poor barbara was watching over my sister, brother and myself.( the youngest) She didn't tell my mom !
Her and Wes became part of my life so many times.
I watched her send eggs back at a dennies 4 times. I felt so uncomfortable her doing that. Then she looked me in the eyes and said "DRay all I want is what I'm paying for. Never let anyone take advantage when your paying with hard earned money". A philosophy I still live by at 57.
I have skipped about a hundred other stories. I will end on this. I went to live with them at 24 years old, I had burnt every bridge in my life. I was broke and lost my apartment. She welcomed me. The day I arrived my car broke and it was bad, 2500 dollars( might as well as been half a million). She paid it and other things. Within 30 days I owed her 5000 dollars. I walked out on the street in slacks shirt tie and a newspager in a briefcase to make it feel and appear it was full of smart content. During this time I must add a had a very special relationship with Wes. He talked and listened to my most personal difficulties. Moving on I signed a sale with a furniture store to conduct the sale for them at a 5% override. At the end of this difficult month working 10 hours a day 7 days a week I made a check of exactly 5000 dollars and handed it over to her. Then Wes grabbed a drink for his enormous bar. Only to find every bottle inside was empty. Yes in a month I wiped him out. A few years later I was on my feet and I looked Wes in the eye and said Wes" if you will allow me, I would like to buy your lunch or dinner as long as we both live". He laughingly accepted and sad " son, you don't have to do that, But if it's that strong in you I will agree.
I did exactly that until his passing. My debts are paid back because of the way they taught me to think, be responsible for my self and strive for the moon. Wes once said to me " DRay you are either going to the moon in business or you will make the biggest fiery crash falling in the world. One or the other he said with his kind eyes making me believe I am more one to shoot to the moon.
Barbara and Wes, my surrogate parents, you for teaching me all you did. Thanks for believing in me when I did not, thanks for loving me when I was unlovable. Thanks for trusting me when I was not trustworthy. Thank you for helping me become a decent man. And Wes, I want you to know pal, its was the moon and beyond, I did it-we did it. Thanks for the success in the business world as my mentor. I still kicked your butt ! I know you would be proud.
God I miss you both so much,
I read all the other people saying the same, you had many children. We all feel like orphans but we are not, we share a common mom and dad.
DRay Moorman 57 Florida /Texas/Oklahoma/ Rogers Arkansas
God bless my Barbara and Wes brothers and sisters.