Shane:
Sorry for your loss. Your tribute to your dad was very touching. It made me think back of memories I had of your dad.
Growing up down the road, I always remember seeing your dad on a red Snapper riding mower (that was probably purchased at Bridgeport Home Furnishings like the rest of ours were) as we drove by your house. He like most men from his generation felt that everyone who drove by your house would judge him negatively if one blade of grass was an inch too high. I don’t recall ever seeing an overgrown lawn as we drove by your house thousands of times throughout the years. So he certainly succeeded on the lawn front.
As I grew into my teens and rode my bike around the neighborhood, I remember seeing him working on that red 1957 Chevy. It seemed like he spent ages working on that car even though it was always perfect as far as I was concerned. It broke my heart when he sold that car. As a kid, I couldn’t understand how anyone could work that hard on something and then sell it when it was done. As an adult, I caught the vintage bicycle restoration bug. I would work for years scouring Craigslist, Ebay, yard sales, etc. looking for bike X. When I acquired bike X and brought it back to life with original parts that I also spent years looking for, I would sell it and move on to the next one. I realized that the fun is in the journey and not the destination. I now understand why your dad sold that perfect car.
I remember having to be quiet when we would go into your house. I knew your dad worked during times that other parent’s didn’t. I didn’t want to wake him. He was of the generation that felt that boys should be boys when outside, but don’t go being loud inside or dads will be dads. We were some of the last kids to grow up under the go outside and don’t come back until later rules. I always felt that you were proud of your dad and respected his rules and he was a very positive influence in your life.
After the tornado, even though I wasn’t in the community anymore, it made us sad that your parents moved. Loss is hard for anyone and it reminds us that life is short and things change. But there are also things that stay the same no matter what and he was a always there for you and family.
Again, sorry for your loss.
Take care.
Mark Parker
