James Elwin McCray

That ingenious business

Great Britain’s King George III (1738–1820), whose oppressive rule over the American colonies led to the American Revolutionary War, has resurfaced in public conversation as a character in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s brilliant musical, Hamilton. In the king’s featured song, “You’ll be back” (in the style of The Beatles), the crazy king addresses the colonists, singing,

Robert Eugene Leftwich

Robert Eugene Leftwich died January 13, 2024. He was born July 2, 1940, in Texas and grew up in Longmont, Colorado. He attended Baylor University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in 1963. He earned a master’s degree from Northern Illinois University in 1970 and a doctorate in nursing education in 1977 from Clayton University, St. Louis, Missouri.

On the road again

In the 1980 movie, Honeysuckle Rose, Willie Nelson played Buck Bonham, a country music singer looking for national fame. His life as a traveling music star is a strain on his marriage to Viv, played by Dyan Cannon; one thing leads to another, and not everyone winds up happy. The best thing that came out of that movie is the song, “On the Road Again,” which won a Grammy Award for Best Country Song and an American Music Award for Favorite Country Single.

Thomas H. Anderson

Thomas H. Anderson, 86, of North Easton, Massachusetts, died December 30, 2023. Born May 25, 1937, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, he met his late wife Susan in Belfast, where they grew up on the same street.

Thar she blows.

Donald Hugh Olson, 83, died July 30 in Scarborough, Maine. Born January 31, 1940, Olson excelled at music of all types in school and was a church organist by age 12. After earning a Bachelor of Music degree from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, where he studied piano, organ, and bassoon, he moved to the Northeast to join Andover Organ Company, Methuen, Massachusetts. After three years’ service in the United States Army, he returned to the company in 1966.

Albert Laurence "Laurie" Campbell

Albert Laurence “Laurie” Campbell died April 25. He was born December 25, 1932, in San Diego, California. He began to play piano when he was three or four and played string bass and trumpet in junior high and high school.

Made right here

Marceau Pipe Organ Builders, Seattle, Washington

Kent Lutheran Church, Kent, Washington