First Job

Jim and I both graduated in 61. He went to SPJC or WSU and I went roaming. My first job after school was unloading cast iron sewer pipe from railroad cars for $40 a week. I was the only white guy that worked there and it was damn hard work in that Florida sun.After a while, I was promoted??? to delivering the pipe and then learned enough about the sewer business to just take a order and fill it with all the extras.

We delivered all over Florida and one day we were in Brandon and a local hamburger joint wouldn't serve my helper so I got mad and said, "Piss on you." I decided that was a pretty good idea and whupped it out and pissed all over the front of their counter.

To make a long story short, I was arrested for "Indecent exposure" and the judge was kind enough to let me go once he found out I was enlisting. Robert, the guy that helped me load and unload, sent me $10 for beer money when I was in basic. Ten bucks was a lot of money in those days. So, you see, in my own way I was a protester before it was popular.

Like I said, I had one of those crazy mood swings I inherited. The first bunch of Holcomb's was crazy as hell and they have driven the rest crazy from generation to generation. That's my cousin's theory. Hell, I can tell good stories by just telling the truth!

© Ray Holcomb