My dad died 14 years ago today…

Not sure why I’m feeling more sentimental than other anniversaries, but here I am.

Born in 1929 in NE Alabama.
At 15 his father was fined by the truancy officer because he was skipping school. To pay the fine, he forged his birth certificate to get a job at the local steel plant. He worked in this steel plant until he retired at 65. The only time he missed was the 4 year period “our uncle” decided he should help beat back the Chinese in Korea.

As did his dad before him, he had a son (only kid) well into his 40s.

Loved to catch crappie & blue cats.
If the fish weren’t biting, he would look for bobbers in brush piles. I still have a 5 gallon bucket full to the top of these assorted bobbers.

Loved to hunt rabbit, quail, squirrel, and deer.

His favorite hunting/fishing lunch was possum brand sardines & crackers or olive loaf sandwiches. I never acquired a taste for either.

Loved to travel the US by car.
Loved to eat ice cream.
Expert mechanic - both diesel & gas.
Expert welder (his trade).
Very good frame carpenter.
Hard worker.

Never passed by any useful objects on the highway without going back…especially coolers. I still have way too many of these to this day.
Found 2 guns on the highway. One a Remington 742 in 30-06 and one Hawken muzzleloader. Gave both to younger guys who needed hunting guns.

Was nicknamed “Shackle jaw” (shack for short) by his plant coworker baws.

He was a really great dancer. He and my mom would go swing dancing a few times per year and steal the show.
He would do this thing where he would get on his knees and switch from knee to knee very quickly before jumping up. It was especially impressive for a man in his 70s.

Never left anyone in need of help.
Once while pumping gas, he got into a conversation with an unknown trucker headed to NOLA with a load of Katrina supplies. He decided to help out, so he left his truck at the station, hopped in the semi, and was gone for over a week.

Never met a stranger.

Pretty damn good dad if you ask me.