Page 28 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2018- Online Magazine

Dick Sue Tolley

The Magic of Love

As Told to Marilyn Garrett want to return to Lubbock. He had

been a professor of music at Texas
Tech for 32 years; Lubbock was
ove is magical, blossoming in home to him. She asked them to
many places, including Raider fulfill his wish.
LRanch. The following is one
of those sweet surprises that just And so, Dick moved to Raider
happens. Ranch – into an apartment on the
far west end.
Sue Yandell had moved to Raider
Ranch in 2014 with her husband. As often happens, Sue and Dick
His health was failing; seven met occasionally at meals and
surgeries ensued, but to no avail. happy hours. Soon, he had his eye
Her precious husband passed away on this lovely lady; he just needed
in 2015. Her loss was painful but opportunity.
not unexpected, and she handled it
with grace. She moved from their The day came when Vanessa
two-bedroom apartment to a sweet Braziel, Director of Sales and
one-bedroom on the far east end of Marketing, asked Sue to dance
Raider Ranch. in a Raider Ranch commercial.
Dick was near, and he
Meanwhile, quickly took advantage Over the next weeks and months,
Dick discovered that Sue also loved
another part of of the situation, classical music, as they attended
the story was volunteering to be her Raider Ranch-sponsored events such
unfolding. Dick dance partner for the as concerts at Texas Tech’s Hemmle
Tolley was in need shoot. The charismatic Music Hall and the Lubbock
of some surgery and sunshiny Sue Symphony.
himself, so he and had caught the eye of
his wife moved a true gentleman. A At many events, Dick and Sue
to McKinney, sparkle glimmered in ran into several of Dick’s former
Texas to be near their eyes. Looking at students, who were always so glad
their daughters, the commercial, one to see him, to remind him how much
who would help would have thought they admired him, and to fill him in
them while their they were a long-time on their lives now. When attending
Dad recovered. couple. Another spark a Westwind Band event in Hemmle
Dick’s wife also grew into a warm flame Hall, after a student in the band saw
had some health through the charm of him, he reported that “Mr. Tolley is
issues, and in one a gentleman and the in the audience!” They asked him to
of those strange courtship of his lady. stand and introduced him as the one
ironies of life, she passed away Courting often includes thoughtful responsible for the Westwind Band.
while Dick was recovering. Before gifts. At one of Sue’s dinner parties, Sue was impressed! Dick shared
she died, however, she had shared Dick noticed that she was struggling several CDs including a CD of his
with the daughters and other family with a hand-held can opener. By the own trumpet playing. He even
members that she knew Dick would next day, she had a new electric one! began playing for the 4:00 church

28 Lubbock Senior Link