As I'm typing this I realize that you guys have been here for the death of our oldest son Chris, my mom Sara, Mrs. Irish's mom Willene and now my Dad Jerry.
He took his last breath last night at 5:48pm and his heart kept beating for at least another 15 minutes. He was a tough old guy, just a few weeks shy of his 89th birthday. Finally succumbed to brain cancer. He never wanted an operation, radiation or chemo. He told me at the neurosurgeon's office one day, "Son I've lived a rich, full life and I am ready to go." It only really got serious in the last 6 months. We had to take away his car and his guns, because he was having seizures towards the end. That was tough taking away those things from a lifelong automotive and gun enthusiast. He faced his illness bravely and with good humor and I never heard him complain throughout the whole ordeal.
Dad got to live out the last of his life in the comfort of our home in Trussville, where he had been living for the last 3 years, he was comfortable. peaceful, in no pain and was well taken care of.
He was born in 1934. As a boy and even into his old age, he idolized WWII fighter pilots. He loved fast cars and fast boats. He was an old hotrodder from back in the 50's. He graduated from Shades Valley High School in 1952. He broke his leg in the 1950's drag racing and running from the cops. He and his cousin Clyde lost control of the car and ran off the little bridge near the intersection of Lakeshore drive and the Old Florida Short Route as it comes into Mountain Brook Village.
He was 16 and in a growth spurt, so for the rest of his life he had to wear a built up shoe on that leg. Because of that he didn't get drafted to go fight in Korea. That didn't slow him down. He's jumped out of airplanes, few vintage WWII aircraft, owned all kinds of fast cars and boats, even raced outboard hydroplanes for a short time until he just about killed himself in an accident at about 125 mph when he flipped his boat.
He bought the second Corvette that was sold in Birmingham. "Uncle Bill" , his best friend, bought the first one. Dad said once, "You could get them in any color you want, as long as you want white on the outside with a red interior."
He owned that car when he met my mom. She was a country girl and a beauty queen from a poor farm in Sylacauga, Alabama where her mom and dad were struggling to raise 10 brothers and sisters in a small farmhouse. The family was so poor she still had to share a doll with her younger twin sisters Annette and Jeannette. She was a natural blond that would make Marilyn Monroe take a second look.
Back in the early 50's most counties around Jefferson county were dry, so around most of the county borders there were rowdy road houses. It was no different on the Old Florida Short Route, near what is now Inverness and the Colonnade. One such place was The Miami Club. Dad and his cousin Clyde were in Dad's Corvette and walked into the dance hall. Dad stood there surveying the place, looked across the dance floor to a booth and saw her. She was a stunning blond in a pink tight fitting cashmere sweater. Dad looked over at Clyde and said, "You see that girl? I'm going to marry her." Problem was she was on a double date.
So Dad, never lacking any confidence, walks over, chats up the foursome, finds out one of the guys is dating mom, and tells the guy, "Hey buddy, I'll buy a round for everyone if you'll go pick up the drinks." Well,,, The guy did, and while he was at the bar Dad gets a date with Mom.
After their first date, Dad drove his Corvette from Cahaba Heights to Sylacauga almost everyday for weeks. At first Mom was a little scared of Dad and refused to go on a date with him by herself, so she got her best friend to go with them. Her friend sat on the console in the Vette between her and Dad. They ended up getting married a few weeks later and were married for 65 years until Mom died in her sleep at 80, 5 years and 22 days before Dad.
I feel very fortunate to have had Jerry as a Dad. He was always a good provider for the family, I never remember us having to do without anything until we got out on our own. I got to hunt, fish, learn to work on cars and motorcycles, canoe, water ski, take nice vacations in the spring, summer, fall and even winter. With Dad's help I got to learn a trade, drafting, design and engineering that I have turned into a very good career. I also got to learn carpentry and construction from my Dad and my brother when we had our own construction company. That skill set not only helped with my career, but also helped Maxine and I build our own mountain house from scratch.
Dad was not a perfect man, but I know that he was saved and I feel confident he's headed to be with God. He may not have a mansion up there, but at least he can walk the streets of gold back to his one bedroom apartment.
I owe a lot to Dad and I will miss him.
Last edited by Irishguy; 01/22/23 07:26 AM.
