To the Editor: I felt compelled to write a note congratulating Coach Bucy on his induction into the Rector Sports Hall of Fame. It was an appropriate first choice in the minds of everyone who has known of him, Blackcat basketball, and the town of Rector. In a way all three are synonymous in the minds of those who grew up in Rector in the 50's and 60's. He was, in many ways, the embodiment of the virtues and values of our little part of the world. He always seemed to carry himself well in the way of exampled deportment and demeanor, and his legacy has left a lasting impression on countless numbers of people.

He probably doesn't know this, but for many like myself who were just a day late and a dollar short of having the privilege of playing ball under his tutelage, we saw ourselves to some extent as his progeny from afar. His skillful approach to life, as well as sports, made a great impression on so many of the younger generation who had the privilege of watching him carry out his God-given task. His faith, love for God, family, and country has indeed been passed along to those who had the privilege of observing his life and work from a distance.

In my own family, many conversations among the Hargrave boys and our father about sports and the necessary integrity involved in living a meaningful and fulfilling life centered around some of the influence he had on our little town. We heard many times growing up from our dad about what a superior athlete he was as a young man and what an excellent coach small town Rector had the privilege of enjoying in his many years of service.

I believe many of us would want Coach to know that we are thankful for the smiling providence of God in surrounding us at a young age with role models like himself. He will never know, this side of heaven, how many lessons we learned from him at a distance. Lessons that we still apply in our own families, our churches and our duties as citizens of this great nation. Thank you, Coach Bucy, for living well and may you finish well.

I must add that with all of Coach Bucy's battles over the years, his loss in the death of his wife Sue a few years ago was most likely the most trying. But those of us who have spoken to him and observed his actions since that most difficult trial, he has shown us well, that our hope is not in the temporal things, but in that which is eternal. It has been, perhaps, the greatest lesson he has ever taught. Thank you, Coach Bucy, for your courageous faith and example of standing in the face of one of the most difficult storms life can throw at a man. One day, all the saints of God will gather together again around the throne of our dear Savior and we will bask in His glory together forevermore. Just a few more days of labor on this earth and our journey will be over.

May God bless you and your family in the days ahead, and may He continue to use you greatly in the lives of many more young men and women.

A Grateful Rectorite,

Roy Hargrave

Ormond Beach, Fla.