When John started Roosevelt Jr. High, dad found an ad in the paper for an electric car. (It was similar to a golf cart of today.) It was old and in very poor shape but dad fixed it up and converted it to be a battery operated vehicle. (He knew a good battery man.) This car was really a good thing to come into John's life. Dad did many, many things for John over his lifetime but whatever he did, he did with the goal in mind that this could help John stay as independent as possible. John drove the car on the sidewalk mostly, at least until he got a drivers license.

There were a few problems with John driving at such an early age. One time, after school, a group a kids tried to stop him when he was going home. They tried to jump in and on the car and stood in the way to try and block his passing. Finally after asking and some word exchanges, John just decided go on anyway and as he passed one of the kids fell down and claimed John "ran over him." The police come over that evening and listened to John's story and took a look at the car and surmised that the car couldn't "run over" anybody and nothing was every said again nor was he bothered anymore by kids.

Some vivid memories surround "John's Car." His car allowed him to enjoy our larger than average back yard. We had patio parties, barbecues, croquet, flowers, fireworks, cherry bombs under tin cans, baseball games, made-up games, slumber parties, outdoor projects, and hours and hours of friends and family engaged in backyard visiting. All of these events had someone else sitting with John in his car --- the person who "SPOKE" to sit with him first. (There was nearly always a fight.)

In years to come this car was the best baby sitter in the world. John would drive the little kids around and after being totally entertained they would often fall asleep. This car allowed John to perform all of the functions of a big brother as he ran errands or took us to lessons or friends houses. The car always allowed him to get closer to wherever he was going. He could park right by a door near the steps to a store etc. (No handicapped parking in those days!) The car has been some incredible colors. Often the car took on the color of one of dad's latest painting projects. Maroon was a very familiar color and chartreuse and black (the same as Barbara's bedroom) was a shocker. Dad, of course did a great job of repairing and keeping it running over the years.

I remember seeing it parked by the back steps and having to cover it up with a tarp on nights when it might rain and having to plug it in every night. The most incredible thing about the car (or do I mean John?) is that John drove it to the University of Utah (up all those hills) in the dead, freezing cold of winter to take organic chemistry. If he had had any grandchildren to tell them to, he would have had some terrific "When I went to school...." stories. I do not know how he did it.