The closest and best friend I had growing up. Loved Ned and his family. So so many great memories like riding our bicycles about 2 miles o to go to movies on Saturdays on 9th Avenue. We were in the same class at Robert E. Lee elementary school through 6th grade. William

I went on a trip to Las Vegas with Ned and one day we went up to Mesquite to play golf at Wolf Creek. Beautiful area and course. However one hole required walking up 58 steps to get to the tee box. Ned was a bit heavier then and I remember him resting after we got up there and then said: “I’m going to need an oxygen bottle to get back down”. I still have the picture of us on the first tee. Good times every time I was with Ned. He will be sorely missed.

I only knew Ned through work, rarely in person. Despite the hinderance of being remote, I worked with him in the same department for the last several years, and always found him to be good spirited, honest, and a joy to work with. You really can’t ask much more than that, and I grieve what seems to be an untimely passing. We tubed the same river, both literally and figuratively, and I can say that he will be sorely missed here at IBM/Kyndryl.

Ned and I grew up together on the same street in Port Arthur and got into all kind of activities together. When we got our drivers license we did road trips all over together going to coin shows, Big Thicket conventions, and Astro's baseball games. Any time there was a double header at the Astrodome, Ned and I were there. We had UT football season tickets near each other for probably 35 plus years. As our lives got busier we didn't spend as much time together but I could always count on seeing him and catching up at every home UT football game. UT football won't be the same without him. Bruce Walker

I met Ned through Bill Buckler during "Happy Hour at Applebee's" in Round Rock, Tx. There was never any doubt he was going to throw a pun or a tease or loving jab at Buckler or Denise, or anybody that was handy for that matter, but I quickly came to realize he would be loyal and true to his friends at all times and under any circumstance. He was always kind and.... yes, funny! For sure he will be missed. I'm glad I knew him. Susie, from KY.

I remember tubing the river with Ned and his friends Bob and Dee Morris in New Braunfels. Ned was apprehensive about the excursion because although he owned a home with a swimming pool Ned could not swim. he jumped into the tube and we had a great time on the river, I will remember his friendship and bravery.

I've soooo many memories of Ned that it's difficult to pick just one. So at the risk of contradicting myself I'll share a story about the biggest trip that Ned and I took by ourselves. It was Ned's gift to me for my high school graduation in '88. Ned drove me to Memphis, Tennessee to see Graceland, the home of Elvis. Elvis had been my favorite singer for some time already, so this was an extremely exciting trip for me. After several hours of driving, including bouncing across the Mississippi River Bridge (we both laughed at how harmonious the bounces were all the way across the bridge) we arrived at Graceland. We parked in the parking lot of the strip center across the street and got out to see the gate to the property and the house itself. But the first thing we saw was a small group of people that had parked next to us. They jumped out of their car, hair greased back, cigarettes tucked in their t-shirt sleeves, and blue jeans rolled up above their shoes. Ned and I looked at each other and wondered what in the heck have we gotten ourselves into, did we make a mistake by coming here??? We shared a really good laugh about that and never forgot that. We shared that particular story with so many people. After spending the next day at Graceland we drove home, stopping by Vicksburg, MS to see the Civil War Park - because we both love history, and then continued on home to Round Rock. A trip I'll never forget and one for which I was always so grateful. Just one of the many things Ned did for me and my family over the years. Love you Ned. Brian Hoskins, aka Tic Turd