My roommate at the time, Tom

Collins, was a good friend of Dave Hamrick's. Having known Dave for a

long time, Tom would always tell me to "learn from Dave, he has a

lot of experience." I took Tom's advice and tried to learn all I

could from my reporter friend. Tom has since passed away of cancer and

I remember Dave saying after his funeral, "Tom's better now and we'll

see him and eat barbecue with him again one day." Little did Dave

know it would be sooner [rather] than later.

Over the years, I lost touch

with Dave and Terri [Dave's wife], who I also worked with at the Clayton

News Daily. We got older and grayer. I always enjoyed visiting with Dave

through his columns in The Citizen and occasionally seeing him in the

community. But we lost touch and I feel bad it's too late now to rekindle

a friendship built out of Dave's patience and willingness to help.

Terri has lost her best friend.

With time she will come to realize what a legacy Dave left behind. The

many letters in The Citizen is evidence of that legacy. I may have lost

touch with Dave over the years, but I will always remember the impact

Dave made in my professional life. I appreciate it.

And Dave and Tom are talkin'

politics over a plate with slaw.

Dale Georgia

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