City Faces in Different Places
By Julie Perine on July 05, 2020 from City Faces
Today's Bridgeport City Face is Randy Gum. Meet him here:
How long have you lived in Bridgeport? If not a lifelong resident, tell me what brought you here. I was born in Elkins, WV but moved to Bridgeport before I was 2 years old.
Are you married, have kids? Tell me about your family. I’ve known my wife Cindy since first grade but our parents frowned upon dating at that time. So we married much later and have three children. Our daughter, Lindsay, is married to Ben Glover and lives in Brentwood, TN. She has two step-daughters. Our son Michael and his wife Melissa live in Bridgeport and have a son and daughter. Michael is the Worship Pastor at Fellowship Bible Church. Our son Jeremy and his wife Radine also live in Bridgeport with their two sons. Jeremy is employed by Mylan Pharmaceuticals in Morgantown.
What about pets? We’ve had a dog and a bunch of fish, but none currently.
Where do you work and what do you do there? Retired pharmacist. I operated The Prescription Shop for 30 years before selling the business at the end of 2008. I worked for various local pharmacies after that until retiring last year. I still hold my license but don’t have any immediate plans to work regularly.
What are your hobbies/favorite past times? I enjoy family time, hiking, and biking. I’ve also played music most of my life and enjoy my role with the worship team at Fellowship Bible Church.
Favorite Bridgeport spot? It’s hard to pick one, so my top three would be home, church , and Bridgeport parks.
What do you like about Bridgeport … why is this a good place to live? As I approached completion of pharmacy school I knew I could get work about anywhere in the country. As I considered opportunities, I decided that Bridgeport had been a pretty good place to grow up so I decided to raise my family here. I’m glad I stayed as I was able to be a part of the growth of Bridgeport both in size and quality of life. I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy popular and successful athletic, educational, and arts programs as well as economic and employment expansion. The residents and leadership of Bridgeport have always taken pride in the appearance and quality of life here. City government has always put the town first, emphasizing public safety, quality of life, and opportunities for public and personal growth.
One – or more – of your favorite memories of something that took place in Bridgeport ... Going back a few years, I have great memories of daily life as a kid growing up in the Grand Avenue area. Especially in the summer, I loved spending time outdoors riding my bike, exploring the woods, playing football or kick the can. I knew just about everyone and they knew me. As an adult, I’ve enjoyed watching my children go to the same schools that my wife and I attended. There are some special events that stand out as well. I’ve especially enjoyed watching the community come together for projects such as the purchase of the library building on Johnson Avenue, the installation of the Field Turf at the high school football field and the development of Light Up Night.
What is your favorite WV spot outside of Bridgeport? Canaan Valley
How about your favorite place outside of WV? Nashville,TN
Tell me about some of your favorite things ...
Food/restaurant? Home cooked is always the best, but if eating out, it’s Italian at Oliverio’s.
Favorite color? Red
Music genre/artist? Mostly today’s Christian music, but I also listen to country and 70’s.
What is your best childhood memory? Summer vacation trips to the Outer Banks.
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