By JANET McGREGOR
Contributing Writer

When Marion Forehand walked by Jim Friday's Jacksonville, Florida home almost 43 years ago on her way to school she didn't realize she was soon to meet her future husband. Jim saw her walk by, was compelled to “fall in behind her” and follow her to school. He says he's been following her ever since. Per Jim, “She was a cute rascal.”

Marion says she noticed him as she walked by his house. She noted his long legs and wondered why he followed her all the way to school without passing her. Later that day, after school at the local soda and sundries hang out, she found out why. A classmate asked if he could give her a ride home from school. She thought it was odd he would ask as he didn't have a car, only to discover Friday had instigated the offer. During the ride home, Jim got up the nerve to ask her out and they've been together ever since. The pair married shortly after graduating from high school.

Considering the number of moves the couple has made since marrying, most would say Marion was the one signing on to do the following. Friday was in the Navy reserves in high school and immediately went into the Navy after graduation. The family has lived in Miami, Birmingham, Key West, Norfolk, Charleston and New York just to name a few of the many stops that ultimately brought them to Fayette County.

During his ten-year Navy career, Jim served as a seaman, a radioman and finally as a nuclear reactor operator. During his military term he pursued his childhood dream of becoming a pilot, taking lessons when he wasn't at sea. To gain flying time he sometimes worked four and five jobs including his main Navy profession. He noted, “To build time I took any job I could get - although I did turn down flying corpses.”

He taught Citadel students to fly, flew crop dusters, took charters and hunted fires for a local paper mill. Shortly before leaving the Navy, he was hired as a pilot by Eastern Airlines. He drew a Navy salary for the first six weeks he worked for Eastern. He notes, “I may be the only airline pilot in the history of the world who drew submarine pay for the first six weeks with an airline.”

In 1968 the Friday family moved to Georgia. They bought a home in Fayetteville in 1977. Close to seven years ago they moved to Peachtree City where they plan to stay. As Marion states, “All of our friends are here, our children are here or near here. I can't imagine living anywhere else.”

Friday retired from Eastern near the time of the well-known final strike. In 1982 he and son Larry started a ground carrier service, Mid-Georgia Courier Service. The courier service is “what kept me eating regular during the strike,” Friday noted.

Shortly after the strike, Friday made his first foray into politics, running for Congress. He lost, ran a second time and gave it up. On the second try he came close, losing out at the end when a well-moneyed opponent jumped in.

In 1987 Friday served on the jury of a child abuse case in Fayette County. At the conclusion, he wondered what would happen to the child. Not being the kind of person to wonder and not discover the answer, he began asking questions. During the “discovery” process he happened to see a television show regarding a home for troubled children. The combination of the two events sparked the beginnings of what is now the Fayette Youth Protection Home, Inc. Friday involved others, including Bob Sharoom who, per Friday, “got things rolling.”

A little over two years later, the first home, named for Friday, was opened. Recently a second home was opened in Brooks, named for Asden Johnson, who was one of the early volunteers instrumental in spearheading the much-needed service for children.

In addition to his work with Fayette Youth Protection, Friday is involved with the retired Eastern Pilots, REPA, and the Dixie Wing of the American Airpower Heritage Foundation.

Friday continues to work with his son at Mid Georgia Courier Service. However, his son offered him the opportunity to “go ahead and take some time off” a few years ago so he could devote more time to his volunteer activities. Friday still “watches out for the bottom line, worries and helps out when they're short-handed.”

One activity Friday has left behind is racing automobiles, although his three sons still race.

Marion smiles as she says, “We've had a good time, life has been good. Whatever life with Jim is, it has never been boring. He just gets involved in a lot of things.”

Marion's life has been just as active in different directions. She takes care of her mother and the six grandchildren.

One thing the couple has always emphasized is that they don't get so involved doing for others that they take each other for granted. They have an RV and will “take off for a few days, go to the beach or somewhere and just relax together.”

Marion also volunteers on a substitute basis at the Fayette Thrift Store, which splits its revenue between the Fayette Youth Protection Home and the Battered Women's group.

Jim and Marion have been members of the First Methodist Church in Fayetteville for twenty years. Marion is currently serving as chairman of the Board of Trustees for the church.

She has a strong creative flair, as evidenced by the tasteful and bright interior of the Fridays' home. Her daughter and daughter-in-law enjoy tapping the family decorator resource almost as much as Marion enjoys sharing her talents. She notes, “If I had had a career, it would have been in interior design. I love to spend other people's money!”

She has published some short stories in newspapers and enjoys writing. She also enjoys sewing, gardening and reading.

The Fridays have four children — two were born during “the Navy years,” and two were born during “the Eastern years.” The oldest, Larry, is married and has three sons: Nathan, 15, Kevin, 11, and Jack, 5. Their daughter, Susan, is married to Gary Lebendiger and has three girls: Julia, 15, and two adopted children, Nicki, and Kimmie, both 3. Scott Friday is an FAA air controller in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and the youngest, Steve, is an actor who lives in New York.

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