When Marion Forehand walked

years ago on her way to school she didn't realize she was

soon to meet her future husband. Jim saw her walk by, was

compelled to "fall in behind her" and follow

her to school. He says he's been following her ever

since. Per Jim, "She was a cute rascal."

Marion says she noticed him

as she walked by his house. She noted his long legs and

wondered why he followed her all the way to school

without passing her. Later that day, after school at the

local soda and sundries hang out, she found out why. A

classmate asked if he could give her a ride home from

school. She thought it was odd he would ask as he didn't

have a car, only to discover Friday had instigated the

offer. During the ride home, Jim got up the nerve to ask

her out and they've been together ever since. The pair

married shortly after graduating from high school.

Considering the number of

moves the couple has made since marrying, most would say

Marion was the one signing on to do the following. Friday

was in the Navy reserves in high school and immediately

went into the Navy after graduation. The family has lived

in Miami, Birmingham, Key West, Norfolk, Charleston and

New York just to name a few of the many stops that

ultimately brought them to Fayette County.

During his ten-year Navy

career, Jim served as a seaman, a radioman and finally as

a nuclear reactor operator. During his military term he

pursued his childhood dream of becoming a pilot, taking

lessons when he wasn't at sea. To gain flying time he

sometimes worked four and five jobs including his main

Navy profession. He noted, "To build time I took any

job I could get - although I did turn down flying

corpses."

He taught Citadel students

to fly, flew crop dusters, took charters and hunted fires

for a local paper mill. Shortly before leaving the Navy,

he was hired as a pilot by Eastern Airlines. He drew a

Navy salary for the first six weeks he worked for

Eastern. He notes, "I may be the only airline pilot

in the history of the world who drew submarine pay for

the first six weeks with an airline."

In 1968 the Friday family

moved to Georgia. They bought a home in Fayetteville in

1977. Close to seven years ago they moved to Peachtree

City where they plan to stay. As Marion states, "All

of our friends are here, our children are here or near

here. I can't imagine living anywhere else."

Friday retired from Eastern

near the time of the well-known final strike. In 1982 he

and son Larry started a ground carrier service,

Mid-Georgia Courier Service. The courier service is

"what kept me eating regular during the

strike," Friday noted.

Shortly after the strike,

Friday made his first foray into politics, running for

Congress. He lost, ran a second time and gave it up. On

the second try he came close, losing out at the end when

a well-moneyed opponent jumped in.

In 1987 Friday served on

the jury of a child abuse case in Fayette County. At the

conclusion, he wondered what would happen to the child.

Not being the kind of person to wonder and not discover

the answer, he began asking questions. During the

"discovery" process he happened to see a

television show regarding a home for troubled children.

The combination of the two events sparked the beginnings

of what is now the Fayette Youth Protection Home, Inc.

Friday involved others, including Bob Sharoom who, per

Friday, "got things rolling."

A little over two years

later, the first home, named for Friday, was opened.

Recently a second home was opened in Brooks, named for

Asden Johnson, who was one of the early volunteers

instrumental in spearheading the much-needed service for

children.

In addition to his work

with Fayette Youth Protection, Friday is involved with

the retired Eastern Pilots, REPA, and the Dixie Wing of

the American Airpower Heritage Foundation.

Friday continues to work

with his son at Mid Georgia Courier Service. However, his

son offered him the opportunity to "go ahead and

take some time off" a few years ago so he could

devote more time to his volunteer activities. Friday

still "watches out for the bottom line, worries and

helps out when they're short-handed."

One activity Friday has

left behind is racing automobiles, although his three

sons still race.

Marion smiles as she says,

"We've had a good time, life has been good. Whatever

life with Jim is, it has never been boring. He just gets

involved in a lot of things."

Marion's life has been just

as active in different directions. She takes care of her

mother and the six grandchildren.

One thing the couple has

always emphasized is that they don't get so involved

doing for others that they take each other for granted.

They have an RV and will "take off for a few days,

go to the beach or somewhere and just relax

together."

Marion also volunteers on a

substitute basis at the Fayette Thrift Store, which

splits its revenue between the Fayette Youth Protection

Home and the Battered Women's group.

Jim and Marion have been

members of the First Methodist Church in Fayetteville for

twenty years. Marion is currently serving as chairman of

the Board of Trustees for the church.

She has a strong creative

flair, as evidenced by the tasteful and bright interior

of the Fridays' home. Her daughter and daughter-in-law

enjoy tapping the family decorator resource almost as

much as Marion enjoys sharing her talents. She notes,

"If I had had a career, it would have been in

interior design. I love to spend other people's

money!"

She has published some

short stories in newspapers and enjoys writing. She also

enjoys sewing, gardening and reading.

The Fridays have four

children - two were born during "the Navy

years," and two were born during "the Eastern

years." The oldest, Larry, is married and has three

sons: Nathan, 15, Kevin, 11, and Jack, 5. Their daughter,

Susan, is married to Gary Lebendiger and has three girls:

Julia, 15, and two adopted children, Nicki, and Kimmie,

both 3. Scott Friday is an FAA air controller in Myrtle

Beach, South Carolina and the youngest, Steve, is an

actor who lives in New York.

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