Beta
Pi:
IS BETA PI
BLOG WITHOUT ANY REDEEMING SOCIAL OR ARTISTIC MERIT?:
NAY?
Beta Pi
Blog’s purpose: to bring ATO, Beta Pi Chapter Brothers and ATO Gal-Pals
together. The blog is not to be taken
seriously - it is meant for fun.
The
Beta Pi Blog is non-political. It
includes
pictures,
links, Archives of previous issues,
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J. NEAL CRENSHAW, R.I.P.:
Our
friend and Brother J. Neal Crenshaw has died.
I received an e-mail from a friend of Neal’s, who said he was googling
the internet looking for a picture of Neal, when he stumbled across Beta Pi
Blog.
Neal
was a friend from Mims Third Floor, and he pledged ATO the same year I did,
1972. Neal was a gifted guitarist, and
prided himself on being a “hippie.” Neal
rarely wore shoes, and he wore tattered blue jeans long before that became
stylish. And Neal wore his “freak flag”
hair extremely long – it was ass-length.
He and I shared an Apartment in Nashville during summer of 73 or 74, and
became close.
We
lost track of Neal after college, but caught up with him in 2006 when we began
Beta Pi Blog.
Neal
did contracting for the U.S. Government, building Embassy buildings in foreign
countries.
Neal
had moved to Thailand,
and
had built himself a “Col. Kurtz” Jungle Compound,
where
he had a fortified home, grounds and
swimming
pool.
Neal
married and had a daughter,
of whom he was very proud.
He
loved playing guitar
He
loved his family, and riding his motorcycle.
Neal
had a blues band, they played locally.
This
most recent shot of Neal playing his guitar was sent by Tison.
Apparently,
Neal died in a motorcycle accident, in which he collided with a cow.
Here
is the link Neal’s friend sent me, which has several comments from Neal’s pals,
who nick named him “Lil’ Red” after a blues song.
My
favorite story about Neal involves a Mynah Bird, and Laura Wilson.
Neal
was broke and needed money for something, so he convinced Laura Wilson to buy
his Mynah Bird, named “Rogers." Neal
apparently went to the ATO Treasurer – possibly John Stein – and sold him on
the idea of using Chapter money to buy the bird for Laura.
Laura was delighted, Neal was in the money,
and we have this great memory of Laura fawning over her new pet Mynah Bird
Rogers.
Prayers
for Brother J. Neal Crenshaw, and his surviving wife and child. Rest in peace old friend.
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OUTPOURING
OF LOVE FROM SOME BROTHERS. . .
As the
news spread, several Brothers who were close to Neal wrote to me. I thought it best to simply share their
words, interspersed with the photos I have of Neal, all of which (except for
yearbook pics) Neal had sent to me in the last several years. Coincidentally, Tison Keel was actually in
Thailand when the news broke, and had plans to meet up with Neal on Saturday,
November 15th. As fate had
it, the 15th was 5the day of Neal’s Funeral. I am grateful that Tison was in Thailand and
could attend Neal’s Funeral.
FROM
ART LANDRY: “I see it on Facebook. I don't know what to say bc I get
your email like this one and your blogposts. I will try to find out but I won't
even begin to use it for a joke. Hard to believe that X is gone. Requiescat in
Pace, for believers and non-believers alike.”
FROM FRANK COLLINS: “This pisses
me off. It's not fair. I'll stop there. Rest in peace,
brother Neal. You were one of a kind.”
FROM TISON KEEL: “Are you
sure about this news? I am in Thailand and was supposed to see Neal this
weekend!!
“I'll see what
I can learn. May be attending a funeral instead of a reunion.
“I see the
blog but I may need to get to my hotel to connect to it and join the
discussion. I don't have a phone for Neal or his wife but will try to make
contact. Wow. I bought a bottle of Gentleman Jack to share with him on
Saturday.
“I happen to
be In Bangkok and had plans to hang with Neal here on Saturday. Bought a bottle
of Gentleman Jack at the duty free shop and planned to share it while catching
up and remembering old times. Guess I'll leave it for the housekeeper. I've
connected with the Udon Thani blog and they say the memorial ceremonies are
waiting for the arrival of Neal's older daughter (from his first marriage). I'm
sad I won't get a chance to say farewell in person. Neal was indeed a force of
nature. We spent a lot of time together senior year and after school we both
lived in Dallas, nearby, and spent lots of great days and nights in Texas. He
dreamed of moving to Central America and becoming El Patron of a hacienda.
Looks like he achieved his dream in a different land. So sad that we were
cheated of the chance to reune in his new home country by the chance wandering
a of a bovine. We are but a mist that is here a while and then gone.
Blessings and peace upon you, brother Neal!
“I'm going to
try to make the funeral. It's 1:00 Saturday which was when Neal and I had
planned to meet, ironically. A minor adventure, finding a Buddhist temple
in an unknown town with no local language skills. Neal would have loved it!
If successful it'll be a good blog post. VTL.”
FROM JACK MUENCH: “Duane Allman and Barry Oakley died this time of year in
motorcycle accidents. This is
unthinkably sad, of course, but I rejoice in the life that Neal lived: wide
open, happy, and utterly unapologetic. Neal
was another great example of what made our fraternity so special in those
years. He typified the diversity that made us so strong. I am going now to
play an old Rye Cooder tune, teardrops will fall. Neal will be sitting in, and
then he'll urge me to walk out on the street, and leave my blues at home. God bless us
every one.”
FROM FRANK BILLER: “Well
said. Thank you Jack.”
FROM CLAUDE CODY: “Larry, I was wondering if you could run a montage (pictures)
of Neal on the blog along with all the memories which will be coming. It would
be a nice tribute. Claude Cody”
FROM MATT BLANKENSHIP: “My
email doesn’t want to let me respond to all so I’ll share this with you. I
traded Neal a motorcycle for a guitar back in the day. It being his time, I wish
I had heard he died in his sleep holding a guitar. He is missed. Rest in peace. Hope you are well. Matt”
THE ATO PRAYER, FOR
BROTHER J. NEAL CRENSHAW:
Lord
of Mankind,
Master
Divine,
Keep
us pure in heart and mind,
And
so that we may know Thee,
Thy
presence show,
Guard
and guide us, ATO.
J.Neal, you were a true friend, I love you and I will miss you my dear Brother. You left us too soon, but I am glad you were riding free as the wind, doing something you loved. May God bless you and give you rest.
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BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of
November 17, there are 37 Blog Website Members; there are 116 ATO’s on
the blog list, plus 17 ATO Gal-Pals. And,
there are 6 Brothers who do not have e-mail.
VTL,
Larry
Simons
Beta Pi, 72
