GERONIMO RAFTER << MEL & ME << HOME

Geronimo Rafter  

Mel and I drank together at the Marriott hotel in the earlier days. I had a jewelry store at 706 Duval Street and remember that he was a very humble man who wore a necklace made out of old Budweiser tops that were pulled off the can. I wore four bracelets, eight rings and three or four gold necklaces. Mel once asked me, "Geronimo, what would you rather have, all the gold or all the women?”" This was during the time when the State of Florida had confiscated all his finds and didn't want to return anything to him. I remember very well that when they were required to surrender it to him, a lot was missing. Anyhow, my dumb answer was, "“Mel, when you have all the gold like you have, you also have all the women.”" Mel's women were always his wife, Deo, and his daughter, Taffy. Taffy was just like her father, nice looking and humble. When they became famous, they always spoke to me like I was someone. I am glad to sit and think about what good friends one has through the times and thoughts of life shared. I have been through a lot of the world and have never met people as are as they are, there is none better than these two. I also remember Taffi's  wedding, I gave them a new big soup pot full of avocados and they where as happy as it was full of diamonds. Taffy, Mel and the Fisher family - God always bless your bread in life.

Usen Mootla Shalako Goyakala 

geronimorafter@yahoo.com

Did you know Mel? Would you like your story included? Email us.

SIGN OUR GUESTBOOK!