Tooke's namesake recalls stories

To the editor:

I am writing to you to tell you how very saddened I am at the fact that Howard Tooke died. You see, I was given my middle name after him. He was my grandmothers brother. My grandmother was Lucille Ada Tooke McCamy of Piedmont, Mo. As a little boy when I came to visit my grandparents, we would always visit with Howard and his wonderful wife Francis. They both treated me as one of their own grandchildren. I only regret that I was unable to stay in touch with them more. He would always tell me stories of when he was mayor and always show me pictures of important people he had met. I will dearly miss him and those stories that he once shared with me of his days in office.

CHRISTOPHER HOWARD WESTFALL, Columbia, Tenn.