12-12-06

About twenty-eight years ago, I had several rent houses in Aubrey and one in Pilot Point. I screened my rental applicants to ensure I had good families living in the houses. Some of the good families were excellent people and the longer I rented to them, the more attached we became.

It was about this time period, I was restoring an older house in Denton for a friend that I went to high school with at the North Texas High School (also known as the Demonstration School). While I was working on this house, a small compact car pulled up to the curb. There was a couple with three small children occupying the car. The driver of the car ( a young man), walked up to me. He was very courteous, friendly and confident.

He approached me and explained that he was a graduate student at the University of North Texas and had been told that I could help him find a place for his family to live. He told me that he was just returning from Aubrey where he had looked a two bedroom rent house, and was sent to Denton to talk to me about renting the home.

Allison’s mother, Mrs. Diamond, had made the trip from Utah to Texas with the family to help them get settled in a home. After I agreed to rent the home to Tim and Allison, Mrs. Diamond took the family back to the small car. I could tell that the small children had a hand in taking money from their piggy banks which allowed them to have a part in the security of their new home.

Tim and Allison lived next door to my daughter’s Deborah and Onor. Their neighbor across the street was Danny Brumley. They spent many weekend nights playing cards and dominoes. Danny and Tim both served on the City Council together.

The Leslie family quickly developed into great city supporters. They became involved in all aspects of the city and surrounding community. When this family settled into the rental house, they "hit the ground running." Tim immediately became involved in local politics.

Tim’s guidance in the remodeling of the City Hall and the building of a new police station are such examples of his commitment to the community and public service. The plans and building for the new park and the new library are both results of Tim’s foresight in getting a bond passed to improve the quality of life in our city.

Aubrey area folks, we have had an example of excellent leadership; we all should pattern our lives after these family members. Allison’s mother, Mrs. Diamond, has set an excellent example for all of us to strive to follow. Allison, your family has accomplished a huge project for the Aubrey citizens and Tim’s leadership is going to be a rough pair of shoes to fill. May I ask the Great Creator to fill that void. Simply said, our loss on this earth is an eternal asset to the Great Creator’s Kingdom.

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