In Honor Of:
Victor Boudolf
Victor Boudolf, Jr. was born in Charleston, SC on June 20, 1946. He grew up "West of the Ashley" in the Avondale Subdivision where Saturdays were spent at the Avondale Theater watching Buck Rogers and Gene Autry. Sundays were spent at John Wesley United Methodist Church - which he still attends.
He attended St. Andrews "everything" - St. Andrews Elementary, Junior High, and High School, and then - Clemson University - "Go Tigers". After graduation in 1968 with a degree in Electrical Engineering, he worked for the government until 1984 when he started his own company, Computer Directions - a software company to develop software for the brand new Personnel Computers. He managed the company until 2008 when, two years after his ALS diagnosis, he turned it over to his son.
Vic has been married to Lynn, his high school sweetheart, for 41 years. They have three married children, and two beautiful grandchildren - Noah and Henry. Son Victor III is married to Erin, son David is married to Christy - they live in Charleston. Daughter Kyndra is married to Bryan Luce and they live in Hendersonville, NC. "I am so proud of them!" smiles Vic.
Vic attends John Wesley United Methodist Church - the "pumpkin church" on highway 17 - and is a 30 year member of the Red Williams Sunday School Class. Recently his church sponsored a golf tournament in his honor and raised $10,000 for ALS. Vic says "If you are looking for really caring, good friends and a place to raise a family, find a church and a Sunday School Class like mine."
Vic's hobbies include sailing, water skiing, ham radio, photography and astronomy, but his favorite is wade fishing for Large Mouth Bass on Lake Moultrie with his buddies Dave, Van, and John – see OldWadersAssociation.com.
"I love to fish", says Vic, "but my best catch ever is my wife, Lynn."
Erick Cook
Erick L. Cook was born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana on November 04, 1944. He graduated from Woodward High School in Cincinnati, OH and in 1971 obtained a BS in Education from the University of Cincinnati. Erick’s love for education lead him to further his own education at Xavier University and Miami University in Oxford, Ohio for a MED in School Administration and Supervision in 1974 and an EED in School Administration in 1990, respectively. On July 12, 1969, Erick married his wife, Maureen Cook, and they have two children, Christopher and Catherine Cook, and three grandchildren, Edwin William Cook, Virginia Elizabeth Cook, and Walker Ryan Cook, who was born December 19, 2008.
Erick’s favorite quote is “Always remember: first God, then Country, then self.” Because of this, he has always felt it is important to give back to the community and follows the “three T’s: Trust, Truth, and Teamwork.” His dedication to his community is evident through his serving as the Mayor of Fairfield City while employed as an Adjunct Professor at Miami University, teaching English and Strategies for College Success from 2001 until 2005. Even while serving as Mayor and teaching at Miami University, he served as an Interim Kings High School Principal in 2002 and South Lebanon Elementary Principal from 2002-2005.
In 2001, Erick went on a medical mission trip to Cuba and saw the lack of computer technology in one of the hospitals. So, upon his return to the States, he was very instrumental in getting the City of Fairfield to donate all of their old computers to a hospital in Cuba.
Since moving the South Carolina, Erick has not stopped!! He has recently received his South Carolina Certification as Superintendent, Elementary Principal and Elementary Supervisor. He has also earned his South Carolina Real Estate License, but he is still waiting to make his first sale (HINT, HINT)!
In his free time, Erick enjoys playing golf and the trumpet, watching movies, reading the Bible, and of course playing with his 3 lovely grandchildren! His favorite sports teams include the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cincinnati Reds. Erick states he is most inspired by his wife, and even though he has always been busy helping and serving others, he has always held his father’s advice (Edwin Cook) close to his heart, “When it comes down to it, your family is the most important thing.”
Jimmy Rentz
Jimmy Rentz was born in Charleston, SC on June 22, 1967. He grew up in the North Charleston area and attended Hanahan High School. Following graduation from high school, Jimmy worked for the United States Navy as an aircraft mechanic for four years. After leaving the Navy, Jimmy worked as a welder and fitter for another 20 years.
Jimmy has a wonderful wife Tammy, and one daughter, Lauren. He and his wife have been married for 6 ½ years. He is very proud of his daughter, and says that she is an inspiration to him. Lauren is very smart, gets good grades, and is very obedient. “She is an outstanding child, loves the Lord with all her heart, and truly loves me. I love her,” says Jimmy. Some of the awards Jimmy has received from his family include: “Best Husband Forever Award” from Tammy, and “Top Pop” aka “Best Daddy Award” from Lauren.
One thing Jimmy wants people to know about him is how strong his Christian faith is. He attends Northwoods Baptist Church, and his favorite book to read is the Holy Bible. He says that God the Father, Jesus the son, the Holy Spirit, and Tammy (the angel that God sent to him) are his true inspirations in life. One of his favorite quotes from the Bible states, “Trust the lord with all your heart, all of your strength, and all of your might.”
Jimmy enjoys spending time studying the Bible, watching movies on Blue Ray, and spending as much time as possible with his wife Tammy. Tammy likes to make crafts, and Jimmy enjoys just watching her while she works. He enjoys anything that involves being with her. He also enjoys spending time with his daughter. Come football season, Jimmy is an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. He also gets a good laugh out of his favorite TV show, America’s Funniest Home Videos. He jokes that he is so slow; it takes him an hour and a half to watch 60 minutes!
Jimmy is a sweet and caring individual who loves his family and the Lord very much. He wants everyone to know how strong his faith in the Lord is. One piece of advice he would like to leave with everyone is “if you have never given your life to Christ, now is the time! No matter what you are going through, He will heal you, I promise!”
In Memory Of:
Jay Crull
James (Jay) Nelson Crull, Jr. was born on May 30, 1956 in Charleston, SC and died on May 21, 2008 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He attended St. Andrews High School and served his country in the U.S. Navy. Jay owned and operated Low Country Auto Sales for 20 years. He was also involved in Charleston Hardware on Wappoo Road in West Ashley, which was started, owned, and operated by his family until 2006.
Jay and the love of his life, Michele, were married for eight years and have one daughter, James Aspen Crull. Aspen was only one and half years old when her father passed away. She is named after her father and the city where Jay and Michele spent their honeymoon, Aspen, CO. Aspen was born 3 months prematurely weighing only 2lbs. 9 oz. Jay and Michele believe that God knew they needed extra time together.
Jay’s favorite quote was “Live one day at a time” and he did just that. He was a “fun, youthful, impulsive, joyful, spiritual, kind, and generous” man. He is often described as being “larger than life” and an individual who had only two speeds: Stop and 100 miles per hour. He believed anything was possible and he gave everything 200%. Jay loved anything with a motor that would go fast. He was often found riding motorcycles and power boating. Even after he was diagnosed with ALS, he refused to let that slow him down. Jay had his wheelchair re-programmed to go FASTER!
Jay was very loyal and always kept his friends and family close. He loved organizing and hosting parties and it has been said that when you were around Jay, you knew that you would have FUN. Jay taught many people how to live each day to the fullest, but as stated by Steve Tharp, “but more importantly, he looked death square in the eye and handled it with strength, honor, and dignity.”
Jay handled ALS the way he handled life, enjoying each day as it came and living life to the fullest. Jay’s family and friends miss him deeply, but they continue to celebrate his life. This year, the 2009 ALS H.O.P.E Race is actually on Jay’s birthday!! Michele, Aspen, many other members of Jay’s family, and his friends carry on the memory of Jay and support the ALS Chapter here in Charleston, SC. Jay’s family and friend participated in the 2008 ALS H.O.P.E Race wearing t-shirts that said “Cowboy Up!” which was one of Jay’s favorite phrases.
Rita Bawden
Rita, born Rita Mae Edwards in Mobile, AL on February 10, 1929 to Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Edward Sr., was a generous woman known for her family values and happy nature. She attended grade school at St. Vincent Catholic School along with her siblings, H.H. Edward Jr. “Buddy,” Carolyn, and Margret. Unfortunately due to WWII she never had the opportunity to attend high school. Her family needed her help so she found a job at Western Union Telegraph. While working she taught herself to sew, a skill that would carry her to a career that she would perfect for the rest of her life.
Rita later acquired a job at Gayfers in the alterations department where she made countless wedding gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and Mardi Gras Costumes. She was a perfectionist and thus was notorious for putting the last stitches in a dress as someone was walking down the aisle or leaving for a party. She even made the dresses for her sister, Carolyn’s, wedding, as well as a flower girl dress for her granddaughter, Kyle, which was the last thing she ever sewed (pictured).
On January 21, 1947 Rita married Marion Tunstall Bawden. The couple had four children: Marion Tunstall Jr. “Tut”, Deborah Cecile, Robert Edward, and Patrick Gene. Family came first for Rita. She enjoyed nothing more than getting the family together by the pool during the summer months. Her experiences during the depression era provided her with “tricks” to make a little bit of food go a long way! Her children added to her beloved family with the births of her grandchildren: Bryan, Celeste, twins Jason and Jeremy, and Kyle. Along with her family, she found inspiration in her Catholic faith.
Some of Rita’s favorites include big band music, Mardi Gras in Mobile, Kenny Stabler, seafood gumbo, and the casinos in Biloxi. She enjoyed watching the Atlanta Braves, but it was the Chicago Cubs that she truly pulled for.
Rita was diagnosed with ALS in 1987. She took the news in stride and was determined not to let it affect her laidback and happy outlook on life. As ALS weakened Rita’s body, everyone believed her mind was getting sharper. Years into the progression of ALS she could still tell you exactly where to find everything down to the last spoon in her kitchen. Rita continued to find the best in everyone and every situation until she lost her battle to ALS 12 years later in July of 1999. She is missed greatly by her family, who is thrilled to honor her memory in the 2009 ALS H.O.P.E. Race!