9 February 1986

Dear Mr Plant,

I regret that I must write this letter. The letter carries to you a notice that Frank L. Gary, Jr., Crosswicks, NJ, passed into eternal life on December 31, 1985, He was laid to rest in the North Crosswicks Cemetery beside his wife, Ruth, and eldest son Frank III, on January 4, 1986.

The 7^th Edition of Bantam Standard was off the press and sent to him on December 10, 1985, by Mr Fred Jeffrey who has retired as Secretary/Treasurer of the American Bantam Association. So, this is the last edition which will be done under Frank Gary’s editorship and with Fred Jeffrey making all arrangements for publication. There has been a changing of the guard.

The new Chairman of the Standard Committee, appointed by President Johnny Batson, is Mr. Clell Agler, 3407 Bean-Oller Road, Delaware, Ohio, 43015. Any matters that concern standards should be forwarded to Mr Agler. Another member of the Standard Committee appointed by Johnny Batson is Ralph J.Sheriff, Jr., Rt #3, Box 392, Piedmont, SC, 29673. A new Bantam breed, the Vorwerk Bantam, has just been admitted to Bantam Standard. During review of the description, Mr Sheriff made comments that demonstrated he is a careful thinker and excellent judge of bantams. Frank Gary was impressed with his work. The new ABA Secretary/Treasurer is Mrs Eleanor Vinhage, PO Box 127, Augusta, NJ 07822, USA.

I guess you are aware that I, Frank Gary’s son-in-law, have been typing his letters for the past six or seven years; there was his letter to you on January 9, 1984 which conveyed that information. Along with Frank’s son, ALAN, we have been sorting books and correspondence and all sorts of data Frank accumulated. All your correspondence and his replies were kept in a special folder. I take the liberty of returning it to you under separate cover. None of the family has an interest in chickens; should there be papers you do not care to keep, please destroy them.

By associating with Mr Gary over these years, I couldn’t help but developed some interest in his work of writing descriptions. I suspect that is over. I intend to continue a series that he started on the History and Development of the American Bantam Association that Bob De Lancey, Poultry Press had started to publish.

I hope that by this time you have had whatever operation was necessary to help your vision, I also hope that your son will someday take up your interest in the chicken and further your work. In the event that you have any question with which I can assist don’t hesitate to write.

Sincerely,