honor thy father

My daddy was a simple man from a humble background as a sharecropper's son.  No doubt that influenced his career choice.  He traveled from RoEllen to DHS for school, sometimes on foot.  He came from nothing and ended up as president of his senior class plus president of the Jere Cooper Chapter of FFA.  His jacket was donated to the PDC and hangs proudly with other parts of that history.  His ag teacher Sam Reed secured him a scholarship to UT Martin where he got a degree in agriculture.  His studies were put on hold for some time with the USAF in the Azore Islands and he married Mama on a leave from there then finished his education.

He lived the farmer's dream.  Not only did he work for the USDA as a plant protection specialist, he managed the farm where I still live.  It was common to see him coming in for Christmas breakfast after pulling calves in the snow.  I adored him but he was a busy man so it was from a distance.  He didn't quite know what to do with a girl but Mama did so there ya' go.  My two brothers have become quite the farmers themselves, the youngest later in life.  As an adult, I turned into the farmer's daughter inheriting his love for all things nature and the seasons.

He was a well liked man and very active in many activities including the Dyer County Fair, Rotary Club and much more.  He was able to retire at 55 thanks to his years of service with the US government and he spent those years volunteering any way he could.  He drove kids to Mission Camp at Ewell Farms for one.  Tutored kids in the city schools.  Was a redcoat at the hospital forever.  He taught me the true value of stewardship both of the land and humanity.  He and Mom supported me in whatever I did, even when I was ummm.....unruly.  I was able to get scholarships and work study for three years of college but the last one at UT Memphis came straight out of their pockets.  

His last years were rough.  As dementia took over his mind he became more and more combative and demanding.  Eventually he was no longer to maintain the farm and Bubba took his place, still doing a fantastic job fulfilling his legacy.   Daddy wasn't much of a drinker but I remember him coming to a party at my house one time and sharing a beer with me.  He tried!  He helped me out financially over the years as I became a wife and mother to Lauren.  I'm sure I told him thank you at some point, but I'll say it again.  Thanks Daddy for all you did to bring me back home where I belong.  He would have adored Reaves like he did Lauren.  Neither he nor Mama were around for her birth.  

Thanks Billie G.  You gave me not only a loving home but integrity and faith ^j^