Maryland man has ring returned after 30 years by Fresno man

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- It's an unlikely reunion more than 30 years in the making between a Maryland man and his class ring. It's been to three countries and was found here in Fresno.

This USC class ring has been in Tanvir Joshi's family for generations.

"It's been with my father for the last 25 years or so. It was sitting in a bank locker in India-- I went back to India, grabbed it from the locker, brought it back here."

A closer look at the inscription shows it says Gerald M. Hoots-- The ring's original owner. Joshi made it his mission to track him down to reunite him with his lost possession.

But it's how it got in his family that may never be answered now that his grandmother's passed.

"She could've found it-- bought it," said Joshi.

It's been decades since Hoots wore it and Joshi is changing that.

After trying Google, Facebook-- even Lexus Nexus-- he got backup from his partner Veronica Hailes. Using Linked in they were able to find Gerald in Maryland.

"The ring signified that, hey, yeah, you put in the work-- you know-- did your time, and this is what you get for it besides a piece of paper," said Hoots.

Hoots was working full time in England while earning his masters in international relations from USC.

"It was very special. I spent a lot of money for it, which I wasn't wealthy at all," said Hoots.

Hoots doesn't know how the ring ended up in the Joshi family. Only saying it was stolen some time ago. Still amazed that the ring was found in the first place-- Hoots said he's surprised someone was willing to take the time to track him down to return his ring.

"He kinda reaffirmed my faith in human nature. There's so much going on in the world today, and so many people are all out for themselves. To do something like that, it was very refreshing."

After the 2,700 mile trip, and a little more than 30 years, Hoots and his ring will be reunited.