Name:

History and Pictures

Left SFHS and Jay W. Bates (1964) for the Lycee Corneille in Rouen, France and attended one year. My dad wanted me to experience and see "Les vielles Roches" The old stones of the old lycee which was a convent prior to being an all boys school. Came home to PA. Went to California in 1965 to visit my sister in S. Cal and ended up staying with my sister and enrolled into The Mount San Antonio Junior College.

On the trip back to PA (without me) my dad was killed in car crash.

I found my dream California blond, Judy, and fell madly in love. While I was attending Junior College and working at a Music store teaching and selling, Judy worked as a telephone operator in Alhambra. We decided to marry. My mother would not sign for me and I was only 18. While being a long distance operator, Judy found that in Poteau? Oklahoma a man could be 18 to marry In California one had to be 21 or have a parent's signature.

We eloped... heading for OK. Judy had a 2 weeks vacation and Mrs. Berg, my boss at West Covina Music Center, was sworn to secrecy about our elopement.

We took my school bus yellow VW bug and while heading to OK, stopped in Williams AZ for gas having driven all night. The attendant said "you don't have to go to OK, just go see Judge Spike Way, he'll marry you. He don't care how old you are". We did.

Judy insisted that I run and get her sandals as she didn't want to get married barefooted. I ran to the VW and got her sandals and the 14K gold ring I had purchased at Zodys.

We returned to our pre-rented apartment in Alhambra. I finished J.C. and attended Cal State LA for almost 2 years. I hated Electrical Engineering and dropped out. We moved to Covina then bought our first home. Our Son, Martin, was born the year ML King was killed, 1968.

I then worked at the Treasure Chest selling display advertising for two years.

I became manager of Baldwin Park Music where the owner had been shot to death and eventually bought the business from Carolyn Herzon, my dear friend.

I expanded and put another store in the West Covina Fashion Plaza. Judy managed both stores and I bought and stocked the merchandise. All the while I was playing at least 3 nights per week with my band "The Exclusives". Thus was derived the name of our stores: "Exclusive Music"

My best friend, employee and sax man in "The Exclusives" was caught by me stealing. I fired Harry R.( He is dead now so he can't sue me). I was so despondent that I told Judy that I wanted to sell out and move to Williams, AZ. I bought an airplane (Piper PA28-180) and finished my instrument and commercial ratings. Then I headed to Williams to start a music store and start my new flying career.

Judy stayed in Cal. to run the stores while I worked at the El Rancho Motel at night and ran "Gateway Music" in Williams.

I flew in to Williams on Mondays and flew home on Fridays to play my gigs with the band on the weekends. I did that for two years (80-82) until we could liquidate the two stores , sell one store building and our home. In 1982 Judy and I were again together in Williams managing a motel. Marty started High School. I flew, one summer, some Grand Canyon Tours with a rented Cessna 206 Turbo. The FAA decided to expand the Williams airport and it was closed so a new runway could be built. The aircraft I was renting was crashed by two pilots who were killed in the plane in Flagstaff AZ. No Plane, No runway.

I became a school bus driver for 5 years during the day and an EMT on the Ambulance at night.

Judy and I bought a double wide in the pines on an acre. I am still living there. White, trailer trash, you know.

Judy and I became involved in the startup of the Grand Canyon Railroad, an enterprise hauling people to the Grand Canyon by train pulled by steam locomotives. She was assistant manager at the gift shop and I set up sound systems and played my trumpet on the train with a guitar player, Dave Mills.

While re-certifying for my EMT ticket I took a water class via telephone at the same time. I did real well and tested and received an Arizona Certified Water and waste water operator's license. I began operating small package sewer treatment plants in N. Arizona. I kept studying and testing and achieved the highest licenses in Arizona to Operate sewer and water treatment plants.

I then started Certified Water/Wastewater Operators of Arizona and had my own certified lab in the back of my music store to examine water samples. My reputation grew as I became the problem solver for Northern Arizona. With my airplane I could cover a large territory and train folks to work for me maintaining Wells, Sewage and Water treatment Facilities. I did this for about 8 years. It was great fun flying into remote dirt strips and servicing my accounts.

In 1993 Judy showed me a lump in her breast. In 10 years she was dead.

We scaled back and worked only the music store. She did well for many years with Tamoxifen. Then In 1999 she got very bad arthritis and surgery and pain. She kept with me at the music store. Early in 2003 her cancer spread to her eye then to her spine and that was it. She died with me in November of 2003 in our home in the pines. I died with her.

I am just getting to where I realize I've got to keep going.

Today I am fixing and selling musical instruments @ my music store; Gateway Music and rebuilding and restoring antique audio equipment, mostly old tube radios on my web site www.grandcanyontuberadio.com.

I give my biggest thanks to Dominic Scacchitti for the inspiration and love of music that has been most of my life.

I thank Sgt.Castalucci for the only military training I ever endured and that was at band camp.

To my great long time friend, Dale Sherman, for his caring love. His dedication to preserving this brotherhood of the greatest people I have known in my life, the SFHS class of 1965. Thanks for keeping in touch and the remarkable work you, Kris and Dennis have done on this web site.

Also for my best human friend, Larry Ely, here in Williams, whom you all don't know, who has taught me auto and aircraft mechanics and radio electronics. I salute you even as you are only 87.

And, to my old flame, Arlene Zaloznik, who has incredible achievements. I think I could love you again.

I give my fondest best wishes to my trumpeter friends Glenn and Gill. I love each and every one of you till death. I would like to see you before that happens. Let's get together.

Your friend
Lucien Carle

ps: The Williams "Cataract Creek Gang" call me Lu. They are cowboys, you know.

Lu's Pictures
Click on the picture for a larger version.

Martin and Judy Carle circa 1969 Covina, California	Christmas 2003	April 1970
Lucien in Puerto Rico	Lucien meets another jack ass :)	Lu in his Cherokee circa 1995
1st solo Cable airport, California 12/11/73