KILGOROUND
LINDA BALLARD

The Kilgore Police Department has recovered numerous purses taken as a result of theft. If your purse was stolen through a burglary of a vehicle contact Officer Angela Burch at 903-983-1559.

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Salesmen - the good ones are hard to find. Those who are dedicated in putting only the best they have to offer in the right hands; those who believe in telling the truth and those who go the extra mile after the sale to make sure the product is what they say it is.

This man's wall is decorated with certificates and awards received for his craftsmanship as a salesman and he sold more automobiles in one year than any other salesman reported in the United States. His name is Roy Lunsford and, yes, he lives in Kilgore.

Roy and his wife Margie moved to Kilgore in 1946. Roy worked for the health department until 1950 when he found his "niche" by working for "Doc"

Kissick at the Studebaker Dealership. The dealership was at the time located across the railroad tracks on the left side of the road on Fritz Swanson.

"My mom and dad thought Roy hung the moon," said Margie. "One year, while he was still working at the Studebaker place, he loaded us up in a Studebaker and took us all to California. The car was not air conditioned, but we bought a window fan that hooked on the window and it blew warm air in. We thought we were in seventh heaven," she said.

"Roy later went to work for Bill Azell at a Chevrolet place located in the downtown area," said Margie. "Bill was really nice to us and we couldn't have been any more fortunate. When he died, Roy worked for Terry Ford and later for Dusty Rhodes when Terry sold the dealership.

Roy retired in 1987, but his work in the community continued. He was chairman of the board at Laird Hill Methodist Church for 46 years and was instrumental in helping start the Helping Hands Organization.

The couple raised two sons, R.M. and Gary. A motorcycle accident in 1965 handicapped Gary. Today, Roy and Margie still have him where they want him to be, at home with them. Caretakers come daily to help. R.M. lives nearby in Longview and keeps a close watch on the family.

"We've been blessed in so many ways," said Margie. On March 28, Roy will celebrate his 90th birthday. Age and health issues are beginning to affect his memory, but his spirits remain high. "We have a lot to be thankful for," she said. "Roy is a good Christian man and a good father," she reiterates. "It's been a good life."

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Sarah Robertson of Forney has been named to the Southern Methodist University Honor Roll with high distinction. To be listed, you must be in the top third of your school of study. Sarah is the daughter of Pat and David Robertson of Forney (formerly of Kilgore) and the granddaughter of Mrs. Gene Murphy and the late Mr. Julian Murphy. She will also be studying at the University of Oxford this summer.

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Blowing out the candles today are Lauren Halbert, Camile Clark, Ruby Lee Robertson, Molly Smith, Carl Till, Karen Wade, Byron Pace, Gary Blanks, Bebe Jo Stone, Mike Joseph, Johnny Jackson, Neda Owens, Tatiana Alexis Loredo, Betty Ready