David Weitnauer and John Weitnauer

00:06 My name is David Whyte an hour. I'm 60 years old. The date is July 10th, 2021. We're in the storycorps Atlanta virtual booth, and I'm here, talking with my dad. His name is John White, an hour.

00:22 My name is John Hy Talent Junior. I'm 95 years old. The date is July 10th, 2021. We on the story corpse Atlanta virtual Blues. I'm here to talk with my son, David, who is my son.

00:42 Said that, what were your mom and dad like his parents?

00:46 Well, I think they will really great Powers. You got to remember, I grew up in the depression days. And I remember the advice. My mother gave me and my father number of time. Number one, you got to finish college and you don't get married until after you finish college. She gave that information on both of them, to my three Broughton, three brothers, and all of them finish college and them got married, until they finish,. But we had a tough time, but I live in a house but falls out because my mother had received some stock from a father who was a sector and trade for the main continental and just decided I remember going to the bank with my mother and she had to sign stock over to the bank to borrow money. I even remember the bankers name is too blunt. We had to go see more than once to get money to get us through the depression.

01:46 They were good parents and I think these are great job of Raising Me and My Three Brothers. Do you have a favorite stories from your family growing up?

01:57 Not really favorite stores. I just think that we are very fortunate to myself my three brother. We got along well together, my youngest brother by the 17 years younger and sorry. I didn't know Joey as much because I was nearly out of the house, but I'm Jewel was going up. But we had a great time, going to yellow and jealous of each other. And I think we help each other along the way as we were growing up in late as we got in the business.

02:28 Did you ever get in trouble way back in the back at lunch time? We should go back in match for pennies. And some one day. I came back from lunch and mr. Hale it to me, but I said, no, I didn't think he could seem that. He said, no, I said, no. I was not gambling. He said, let me show you my telescope. Well, I was down with pennies, and they called my mother, and she came up to go to talk to friends with me, and you just said, you shouldn't be doing this and let me alone. But I guess that was one of the worst things I did. I want to talk about in Las Cruces.

03:19 Was there a teacher or an adult outside of your family who had an especially strong influence on your life English? I guess it was, and she was very helpful and encouraged me to keep on studying and making good grades. And I think that along with the lady, by the name of the fourth, you help me get a Georgia Tech of what one, what they told me, and also talked about going to college. So they are very important that day.

03:56 What's what? How was a man? Who is a lawyer? He married a lady from Agnes Scott who lives across the street from me and was present airplane, high school days in his apartment, Bill planes and on Sunday. And so I was really has a time. He built a radio control model airplane with little while larger than when I was building and he could keep flying up in the air and control it and bring it back to where I was standing, but he was a great asset to our young. People that time to Billy brain and and Phillip Davis and other people. Building model, airplanes a great guy. What are some of the things that you remember most about your time.

04:45 Well, I guess so.

04:48 I guess the greatest thing I remember is the first time I've been awake home my mother and take me to Savannah, couple times where she has two sisters living there. I have to, and we went to the beach a couple times in front. My teenagers early teenagers, but that was the only time I really left Atlanta, Georgia, and so much for his dad was a Keith will see if the 16-day 16 weeks of basic training and I was on my own and I didn't get in trouble. I remember going out and to sit outside and enjoy the service. All in all have, I got frustrated because they was slow getting out. And I guess, my attitude was not as good as it should have been. But anyway, I got out July 30th, July 1st, and 19.

05:45 46r back to Georgia Tech, but all in all it was a good experience and I learned a lot in the service and the Great Bean and me be from all over the country. Will he say the most important things were that you learn?

06:05 Say it again, baby. I'm sorry.

06:16 What were some of the most important things that you thought you learned from being in the service?

06:22 I think this learn to work with people, it was the first time I was ready involve that many people from all the all of the country. And

06:33 Shish the Evo.

06:38 Opportunity of being with people and going to different places and it let you help me with two. I think they learn how to work with people in those people to a great extent.

06:50 So, how did you make Mom?

06:52 Well, I need a Metro PCS Roebuck store on Park Lane house. Since you got in Massillon,, Ohio, State, and after going you're going out of state. She came back to Atlanta, Georgia and was the first trainee and Sears Roebuck in in 1948 and go up. Go to a place across the street from Sears Roebuck.

07:42 I'm sorry about this.

07:49 It happens. Well, I thought I'd kill a telephone. Anyway, you pick me up in The Bert Show Ladies and we saw it on the beach all night, that long just talkin. And that's the time. I asked her to marry me and we came back to Atlanta the next day. And I did not have a job. So I was really worried about getting a job. But that's how I'll tell you both and Sears Roebuck and in Georgia Tech. So you talked about meeting her and you talk about the night when you asked her to marry. That was it. Do you think it was love at first sight or either one of those things that developed over?

08:45 I was impressed. She was one of very attractive lady if she was small automobile. No, I did and it just grew over time. We had more and more dates and she come out to the house after dinner with mom and dad. And my brothers and I never met her parents until after we decide to get married.

09:06 So what were the best times? They all marriage? And what were the most difficult times?

09:12 Well, let me tell you story sound, like, I remember a couple talk about their celebrating, their 50th wedding anniversary. And I know 47 is a great marriage, but I really think we had 49 years ago and I can't remember any time that we had in disagreement about money or true, no matter where we going to move to and it maybe I may have been some bad times, but I just don't remember what I really don't see Peggy and she's a great wife and a great mother and I give a fig about 90% of the credit for raising four children, great lady. So I don't mean to bring up a the hard part of life for all of us, but obviously mom had cancer and and, and past so right.

10:12 Was that like, for you?

10:14 Well, Dave is hard to explain. It's just I guess different people.

10:21 React different situations like that on you first in the first time she had cancer in remission and you know, it's always out that coming maybe and it took three years and it did, on my way to take steps to try to take one more step to maybe stem-cell transfer, but I guess that last week that we were traumatic, knowing that she may or may not go through. And just one of those things you have to mean a lifter yourself and everybody that's a different butt. And then my children came David Menlo.

11:05 So you got a second fairly long marriage to June. What do you miss most about June? She was completely different,, but you're different female, and she's also redhead, but she had a system together, and I guess maybe a couple times with us about once a little more than I can ever remember doing, but she was a great wife and we had a great time together.

11:40 So, going back to when you and Mom were raising the kids, raising us. Do you have memories of being a parent that stand out?

11:49 Not really, you know, I have a lot of hours.

11:55 All the weekends going to stall, has went to have you but whenever really a problem, nobody got in jail. Nobody got drunk and they made good grades and had good friends. And we really never had any real issues with was not sure and growing up, and I don't think having insurance change what I was doing. I think the piggy probably help me with anything or trying to be sure that I was doing the right thing. What about your have them over the temple. I guess she knew how to calm things down me to do the right thing at the right time.

12:36 Do you think that being a parent change you and then I guess you could ask that question for when we were growing up years and also maybe since the four of us have been with you since both Mom and Jim.

12:48 I don't think I can't say that I changed because of my children. I can't say that I changed because of raising them. I think it is something that you do naturally in sometime you lucky and you do the right things and sometimes not looking you do the wrong thing, but I can't think of any different.

13:14 So he had a great career as an executive with riches and you were ceo.of, richway stores. Are there accomplishments that you look back on with particular, pride or satisfaction?

13:26 Well, I guess that.

13:30 In my Thursday richway, I had the opportunity of starting a new business along with a lot of people helping me. And I think the pride was being able to help young people to grow and be promoted and going to better jobs and Rich way. And I'm one of them left richway for better. Jobs are the industries and say this is one of my employees with that is metal and it likes retirement party was. I went to I told Mike I said, you know, you could be in a really great executive. Few had to do some mental people to develop and grow and materialize was not real happy with my life. And and that is what I started the business that has a lot of people.

14:31 What are the things that I remember with so much pride and appreciation was the many times I would meet people over the years who recognized my name and they would say, well, I used to work at the cash register and Ridgeway store. Number 5. Your dad was always so nice to me. Were you with a lot of people at every level of the business? Like to get out and talk. For example today, in Lynbrook? I'll call and see what's up and set up for lunch, or dinner with two, or three or four, and have lunch together,. I'm on the office and doing because of my comments about Lynbrook is one of the best because it's just a way to get together and chat. Then. I just just like people.

15:26 Just carrying on with your work here. She did a lot of outside of work. You were on the Decatur School Board. You were head of the United Way on you, or you served on boards. Like Harland and goodies under rolls that you play that gave you more satisfaction than most.

15:42 Well, I think they're you're the one that I learned the most was when I was a campaign leader for a 19 1978 for United Way, right? Where you something like 7 billion dollars and I guess I learned from that, how generous people individuals corporations and Foundations as far as giving and making it while I better place to work and also learn. I guess, what, a great appreciation that the money this lot easier to raise money than the allocate money. I was very much impressed where United Way Works extent. They have a lot of committees work on various subjects of Atlanta decide where that money was going, wasn't the government gives individuals who lives in Atlanta and we also found that we never had enough money to go to all the good organizations that needed money.

16:42 Military, so I guess that was my greatest satisfaction. When I learn in that area. I enjoy being on corporate boards, and I had to make some tough decisions, but you have to make the life. When you're in business or any place else. Can you share an example of a decision?

17:03 Well, several several I want is you better not use their name and we wait 5 to channel the board. He was also owns 65% of the company because of things get done. And so happened, about six months later. It's a board meeting that was 65% of the stock. He filed all of us and came to check on the board again, but that's a tough situation and other board. I was on it. We had to bother your man who started. And I was also on the board because he was doing some bad saying I was a person had to meet with him and give him the bad news, but you just have to do when you can't shy away from you. Just keep on going.

18:03 Talk about what that culture was like in the influence that it had on. You send me Rich's had a great reputation and it's like working for Suntrust at Southern Belles. I mean, was online and doing things over the years. Back in the twenties. They helped the phone was back. When the market went to the dogs, and they bought the cotton, the money school teacher. When I paid it one time, and I gave me a feeling that you really need to get back to the community with yourself. A rich is dead and the employees over the years.

18:59 Store number, which is heavier than usual ethical commitment to customer service. And remember you telling a story about a man, who, when you were a manager of a department. He bought them bastards from me, that he didn't like, what you tell that story. Where is it? True? That was a man that really was a lot of it and he'd bought me the three or four and how to build a very expensive item. When you came back you had to just jump if you couldn't sell it again and selling floor and his back he won't return this item. So you still want to lay on it and jump on it and ruin know that this is what you want because we can't keep on returning back and he said okay and he's back again. So I want all my conversations. And yes I said, well, we don't take it back but I suggest you go someplace else.

19:58 You said okay about three days later. Mr. Dick. Rich. Call message on this particular conversation happened. I said, yes, sir. If I don't tell you what he believed in it, nothing with. Thank you that you play with Georgia. Tech life is people recognize Georgia Tech. I got my job at Rich's to a piece of paper script. May be too long about the company that what they were paying and

20:58 Apply for a job which I did and got it. So I got had 30 years of working riches because of that job that you we talked about earlier in June. I met her at a Georgia Tech, the government committee was going to and I just have to be there in middle of that particular situation. And then I was involved with the first Centennial campaign. We raise two hundred million dollars to go with a hundred million dollars. I was in Vice chair of the corporate State Farm foundation in 1993 95 and so I became more and more. As you can tell grey obligated to and do I need to get back to Georgia Tech for what they gave to me over the years.

21:58 For the name of the pig and John White. Now for his system, engineering and a biomedical and there were more chairs at Georgia. Tech how fun it would be. All right, money, some years ago. That's one of my favorite memories and I bet all the kids would say the same thing with when Thanksgiving night would come and we get to go to the go to the roof. That's when I really felt like we've somehow live in a special World, talk about what that night was like,

22:40 Where the roof was on the top of the budget store and it was on the Southeast corner of

22:51 Forsyth Street in La, Crosse Street in the Bronx, donuts and Coco and other sweet. And we had no politicians and other influential people. And says, I was working there, I could bring my wife and children though and we watch the lighting of the tree from the store. I mean, from the budget store looking up toward the normal and it was a great experience. And then after I was over, we would go down to the budget store. Go through the tunnel to the store for homes, and go up to the roof, and we just ride the train around. I can get on the train that was not very easy for a six foot three or four inch tall guy riding around.

23:51 The pink pig track and it's a great experience for me. And I think for the kids to do that that particular time.

23:59 So that you had some interesting hobbies over the years. You were a gardener. I remember, you used to raise tomatoes from seeds in the kitchen under grow lights. You took beautiful pictures wrestler, flowers that I've been you got into carpentry or Woodworking. And then when you were 85 years old, I think you took up turning bowls. So I'm just curious, you know, haven't been a kind of a hard drive and executive, tell me about that side of you.

24:29 Well.

24:34 I kind of grew into an I guess I got to work in the hands and billing things and I'll just jump to the boat. Ready. When I move to Lynbrook. I had to making Furniture before that. But I didn't need any more furniture and a man found some space. And then broke and got the money from Lynbrook to buy some. And I went to two classes at Virginia Highland Hardware on Sundays. Everybody had their own way with one instructor and I made a layout of the body home and showed Jena the latest beautiful boss. That you did a great job. I said, no Frank and I built it and would Emmaus, like people you don't know what's in a piece of wood until you start trying it. And you know, it wasn't people if they stop letting within the working with them.

25:32 Great Hobby, and I love turning bowls and vases and selling them and not that I make that much money, but it gives me a little sense of accomplishment, but I must say I'll go back to pay, we bought a lot of things in 1983. January original. What, what are we going to build a house? And I don't have all, but it was designed by the architect, from Georgia Tech of it, the same Simon back. So, we bought the lot from him and him, one of his employees. And for some reason, we decide to build a house and it was decided, big was going to go down there for 6 months or whatever. It took to build a house. He built. I'll she's on budget on schedule did all that. They were call the contractors and did a great job, and she is a super super attendant.

26:30 She was sad. I miss her.

26:33 That you got a wonderful group of grandchildren and great-grandchildren and you just seem to develop great connections with all of them talked a little bit about some of the ways that you stay connected to the to the kids.

26:47 Well.

26:49 I called him. I write notes birthday. I send checks say like that for birthday present. In fact, one to just call me while we were talking on my phone, Fortune didn't ring. But I guess I'm on the offensive to talk to someone about stocks and what they do with their money and how they're progressing and being aggressive enough. And I just asked a lot of question. Sometimes people say I ask too many questions, but I like to talk to him and see how they're doing it. So, do you have any advice for the youngest Generations?

27:29 Yeah, I think that you know, I was even though it's a lot of unrest about America today that I'm of the same opinion that even though in some cases people, for very limited background. That was very, very hard time, getting ahead that they can do it. If you'll work hard and do the right thing, you can get ahead and I'll say that because I do not sell them, and we came from an image of financial situations. My father did not finish High School, my mother did, but I was able to with hard work I guess. So my chain said, you can do it and a lot of people have done it and I would like to encourage people. It's a great country and a great place. The best place in the world. You can get ahead if you want to sell sort of building on that, that spunky seem to still get up everyday at 95 with the same them and figure that you've had for as long as I can.

28:29 Remember, what's your secret?

28:32 Well, I stopped my secrets. Are my genetics. I think I got that from my mother and dad my three brothers. I think I'm the same way. Two of them are gone, but they all get up and go people. They always successful and I think it was just something born in us and think that I'm blessed to have that particular spirit and also think that so my children have that to a great extent. And I think that's so so important to have that, get up and go out of helps. You do thing and then bad days. You got the hell. It's going to be a good day in about 30 seconds and keep on saying is going to be a good day. It's going to be a good day. So you can you can play with your mind and do things if you got the right attitude.

29:25 So, here's a question that makes me a little nervous to ask, but obviously, you're you're 95 and you have had some health challenges. But how do you how do you build a 95 years? Wait? I don't put it off. I'm not, I don't react, but I do listen to the doctors and they taking good care of me, but

30:00 Thanks. That my health and my minions this long, they gave me Insight. I'm afraid, I'm, I'm ready to die. I remember, as a kid. I asked my mother about people dying and she would say to people when they get older, they know when it's that one. Wasn't sure what they meant that. I see people at Lynbrook physical condition. I'm sure they're thinking, I'm ready to die. And on one hand. I'm not ready to die because I'm in good health. I will be taking a trip to Seattle Washington and Idaho in late, August 10th, so I'm in great shape, but I know I've lived more than most people can. I've been blessed of that, but I'm not afraid to die.

30:52 So this is kind of an expansive question, but what have been some of your greatest satisfaction in life.

31:01 Well, I think one to have to have head and live with two very wonderful women in the number to to have four wonderful children that have been. I think great people raised great children, and I think that's the greatest satisfaction your family saying them, in my opinion and even the money that you may have made or may not have made of a job. You met a man on the Family's. What's so important. That's my greatest asset last night.

31:39 Well, that's the end of my question. So I guess the main thing I'd want to say is that I love you and I couldn't be more grateful for you and I'm proud of you. And I know that that says the same thing that all all of my brothers and sisters would say as well. So thank you. Thank you, and I appreciate that. And I'm very happy to, but that's over David. This is so me thinking, I like to get a video and for my two and ask me questions like that. Steve has been doing on paper and David and it's a great experience and I appreciate the opportunity. And yes, I will participate as well as a contribution to the organization.

32:22 That's it, Steven.