Skipper Wood
I met Paul in May, 1972 (before I met Brooks). He lived next to me in Murdough Hall at Texas Tech (his car was Chris, the Chrysler), and invited me to attend First Baptist Church, Lubbock, and got me singing in the University Singers (the University choir for the '9:30' Service). I joined FBC in August of '72. This was immediately before Dan Yeary's last semester as University Minister. When we met Brooks that August, we all became fast friends and were the 3 Musketeers (we called ourselves 'Errant Knights'. I think Brooks was Aramis, but I forget who Paul and I were. I was probably Pathos :-)) We did FBC and BSU stuff together for years. Even after graduation, we kept track of each other. Paul and Marcheta married July 30, 1977. It was from them that, while we were dating, Karen and I learned 'Amen Sugars' (kissing after saying grace for a meal). Paul and Brooks were 2 of my 3 groomsmen at our wedding in 1982. Paul and Marcheta divorced in 1990. He eventually met and married Charlotte Duval, a single mother of 5. A wonderful lady and a total blessing to Paul. Paul sent me this email for my birthday '07, with my response. Little did we know that he'd have just over 16 months: Happy Happy, old man. May you be blessed with many more. Paul Bicking — Hey thanks, not-as-old-man!! And may you be around to wish me all of them. Got this last September: Dear Mossketeers: Another year has passed and I'm not doing very well in the keeping up with friends department. However, since you're both older than me, you'll understand. I turned 55 this August and apparently, some warranty maintenance is in order. After my physical in July (bad cholesterol – LDL is up, rest of me was fine), I developed or discovered an inguinal hernia in August – no telling how long it had been growing but it was big enough to be painful. I had surgery to repair that right after Labor Day. However, I continued to have stomachaches and back pain which I originally blamed on the hernia or my hemorrhoid procedure. Isn't age fun? Anyway, I went to my doctor this weekend, who sent me for a CT scan to see what may be up. The radiologist said there was an abnormal mass on my pancreas. I had a surgery consult today which was very positive. The surgeon said it could be best case a cyst or worst case a tumor. Either way, he said they would get it out, clean up any other problems they might find and get me back on my feet. I go for an MRI tomorrow to better define the problem area and a pre-surgery discussion next week and probably surgery the following week – TBD. The surgeon said I'd probably be in the hosp 5 days to a week before going home. Prior to this, the only surgeries I can remember were my tonsillectomy when I was about 8 – mostly the ice cream for recovery – and my broken hand in 1990. Now I have added a laparoscopic hernia repair – which was day surgery – and face a major exploration of my interior in a couple of weeks. Frankly, I'm not comfortable although I know it's necessary to return me to the health level I prefer. Just wanted to know that you remain my friends and would ask you to remember me in your prayers. Paul Bicking — Paul, You remain my friend, even if contacts are fewer. You shall be in our prayers and I will add you to our prayer lists in choir and SS. I understand warranty work, and yes, more work must be done more often. Skipper It was a joy to have counted him as a Friend. My prayers will be for Charlotte and the kids. Paul ('of Tarsus', he sent me the picture, while he was in Turkey) was certainly one of a kind ("the best kind"). I rarely recall having seen him without his beard. He will be missed, here. We'll see him again, there. Skipper