When Bethlehem resident and Erie native Ray Lemmon wrote his autobiography, he started by writing the first and last chapters. What happened in between? Wars, chemistry labs, finding true love, planes, boats, automobiles, recreational vehicles, moving across the country and back again, building houses, and finding a new direction in life, among other things.

Working in a chemistry lab gave him experience that not only led him to meet his wife, Margaret, it may have saved his life. Being drafted into the Army during the Korean War, he served in an army hospital lab instead of being in combat. His military service also led him to become an airline pilot, studying on the GI Bill. “It opened the door, made everything possible for me,” he says.

In ‘Not Flying Alone,’ Lemmon shares memories of growing up in Erie and later living in Bethlehem for many years.

He also reflects on a 30-year career as a pilot for United Airlines and a lifetime of restoring planes and automobiles, as well as owning boats and recreational vehicles. Lemmon gives an inside look at the airline industry with the many lifelong friendships it brought. He also recounts numerous moves, many times involving building a new house along the way.

One move involved two moving vans, one going to the new location while the other moved furniture going into storage. But where Margaret went, there went the grand piano.

Lemmon wrote the last chapter after Margaret passed away in 2011, and he experienced incidents where he clearly felt her presence and received messages of things to do. He recalls becoming more spiritually aware and curious, leading him into a deeper study of Christianity.

‘Not Flying Alone’ is a fascinating account of the many journeys that make up a lifetime.