Wednesday, January 04, 2017

Mike McCallie, my friend

Today is Mike McCallie's 67th birthday. I've known him for about 15 years. He is a devoted family man and loyal Chattanooga Mocs fan. 

Mike was hired by The Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company (now Unum) in May 1973 as an Individual Life Underwriting Trainee. I had the opportunity to work with him for nine years.
Mike and his dog, Emme.

Mike always found time to meet with me and share his knowledge or have a good story. If I need the time of day, Mike would probably give me his watch. And, boy, does he love to talk about his family. It's awesome to be around him and watch him glow when he brags about Andrew and Michael.

Mike went to Brainerd High School and began his college education at The University of Chattanooga (now UTC) and joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Of course, me as a Sigma Chi, he would have been my rival in school, but it sparked the conversation that started our friendship.

He progressed through various underwriting roles and retired as an Assistant Vice President on December 31, 2011 after 39 years with Unum.

Now that he is retired, I see him more and more out and about at Mocs athletic events and enjoying the good life. I see him every once in a while at Unum when he comes back to celebrate a retirement of another lifelong Unumite. 

He is a gentleman, a man of honor and courage, a man of zeal, yet humble, an intelligent man and a man of truth.

I'm so very fond of Mike, and I am proud to call him my friend. 

Cheers, Mike!


*This is part of my year-long blog devoted to people I cherish



Sunday, January 01, 2017

Happy New Year!

Happy 2017! The ole GrayStation blog is being dusted off! It will be shared to talk about the people I love, admire, and who I want to celebrate while they are on this Earth. 

It's going to well-thought out on some days and other days it may be that person who pops into my mind. There are so many people in our lives who I cherish.

We've had this blog since Y2K, but it's been dormant for 6 years. Twitter and Facebook dominated our time and moved us to brief 140-character statements throughout most of our days.

So, this is going to be awesome. And take a look back on some of the 100+ posts we made from 2000-2010.

Enjoy 2017! ~Erik
The GrayStation: Lucy, Stacy, Rigby and Erik