A Good Man Remembered

by Doc Lawrence

He would proudly describe himself as a farm boy from rural Georgia and leave it at that. While he retained that part of his upbringing, there was more. Soldier, banker, church and civic leader, gardener, good neighbor, friend. And father.

The ruins of his rural childhood home were overgrown the last time I visited. Located on a dirt road in rural northwest Georgia, locals said you had to want to find it. His own father was a school principal who gave it up to farm for survival during the Great depression. The children followed suit.

Dad loved flowers.Photo byOriginal painting by Eric Legee. Down South Today

Migrating to Atlanta led to work building bombers for World War II Army Air Force pilots. Then, the draft snagged him. Wife and children, like millions of others, were left behind to live as best they could, while he marched across Europe as a foot soldier under General George Patton.

The GI Bill gave the veteran a chance to start a new life, something he pursued seamlessly. New job, home, community with an acclaimed public school system, night school, higher education degrees, job advancement, church and civic leadership.

I had my first job-a grueling paper route- when I was 13. Every Christmas vacation had me working part-time at the post office. Every summer meant working. While others enjoyed family vacations at the beach, I did roofing, brick laying, hay bailing and other tough jobs. I hated every moment, but I was in great physical health, had an enviable tan and a pretty girlfriend.

And spending money.

College-two degrees-and heading up my own family was a direct benefit of the discipline he instilled. University life: I worked and went to class. But, it was much easier than delivering newspapers in freezing rain at 4:30 a.m.

His body wore out a few years ago. He wanted to celebrate 100 years on earth, but finished a little short.

I’ll take some flowers to place on his grave, say a prayer in gratitude for his life and the wonderful memories.

A self-made man who did not suffer fools, a decorated combat soldier who hated war, loved God, country and friends, who was repulsed by bellicose loudmouths and remained no matter his pain and loss, true to his core beliefs.

My father. He was known as "Bob." I miss him. You would have enjoyed him.