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Pat Boone photographed in 2008 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Courtesy of Glenn Heino/Premier Image Studios, Boca Raton, Florida)
BOCA RATON, Florida—The seat next to me was vacant on my flight from Dallas to Boca Raton for a short time until a handsome, tall, thin guy with white shoes came and sat next to me.
For a moment I was taken aback and my head was in a buzz. I said to myself, ”I know that face.” Slowly I turned and took a second glance, then my register started to clink-clink out names and faces.
I turned and faced this gentleman and said in a whisper, "Pat Boone—do I have it right?" A nod came back with a quiet "yes"! I was so thrilled to meet him, and we flew the rest of the journey reminiscing, talking, and dropping names.
I had been fortunate to see Pat when he appeared in London at the Palladium Theatre.
We exchanged cards and I asked Pat if I could take some personal photos of him for a feature story.
So now I’m thrilled to share my memory of one of America's big stars—Pat Boone.
A gentleman of the first order, Pat Boone continues to thrill crowds wherever he appears.
Harold Leighton was a hairdresser in London during the 1960s and has worked in the beauty industry ever since. He lives and writes in Boca Raton, Florida. He can be reached at hleighton@bellsouth.net.
