I was born in Burgaw, North Carolina on November 28, 1940. I lived in Burgaw until I was married on June 14, 1964. In 1966, my wife began a career as a school teacher, so I could attend flight school. I started flight school at American Flyers in Ardmore, Oklahoma on August 29, 1966 and finished on January 31, 1967 with a commercial rating, instrument rating, and flight instructors rating. I had a total time of 210 hours.

I instructed from March 1, 1967 until September 16, 1968. I was then hired by Piedmont Airlines and flew the FH-227, YS-11, and B-737 as co-pilot. From 1978 through 1988, I flew the YS-11, B-737-200, and B-727-200 as captain. My career was cut short in 1988 due to an eye injury.