“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” Dr. Billy Graham
Dad was a very wise man. He was the first person who talked to me about wisdom. He would say “Honey Child, Wisdom comes from God”. Thank you, Dad. It didn’t take me long to figure out you were exactly right about that. One of the greatest gifts Dad gave me was a positive attitude. I witnessed his courage when he was faced with adversity. He had RA and OA and had to have special made shoes. He was always unshaken, completely the same laughing jovial man regardless of his circumstances. His RA got so bad he could not play his beloved bass guitar.
Dad was a Godly man and a very talented man. He played at least four instruments and sang in a quartet. I really thought my Dad could do no wrong and I was almost perfectly right in this belief! 
This is my Dad’s hat. I remember thinking dad was such a handsome man. I kept his topcoat and this hat. 
Dad had a distinguished career in the military. He won all kinds of medals in WWII.
Dad was my confidante many times. He would say: “Honey Child, come ride with me to the store.” Dad taught me to drive and I had a heavy foot. He loved to tell others how I scared him to death teaching me to drive. Dad was the greatest story teller. Some of my greatest memories was the years he drove me back to WCU on Sunday evenings. This is such a sweet memory. We enjoyed having dinner at the Parkway Restaurant and we had to have coconut or chocolate pie. I know he was very tired when he got home driving that distance. Dad served on the Buncombe County Board of Education and 40 years later his daughter followed in his footsteps.
Dad,” sometimes memories sneak out of my eyes and roll down my cheeks”. That’s because you were so absolutely awesome! I think of you and love you every day.
This is Bob and his Dad, Curtis. Bob says Curtis was hardworking and physically strong. He instilled in Bob a strong work ethic. Curtis loved farming and loved his cattle and pigs. Curtis had a Tennessee Walking horse named Big Red. He loved to show him off at the Christmas parade. Bob was around 2 years old in this picture.
Bob is 12 in this picture.Curtis spent many years serving other people, those shut-in and in nursing facilities. Bob said his proudest moment was seeing his Dad ordained as a deacon. Curtis believed that character and integrity was something a man should carry with him at all times.
Dad and Curtis were a lot alike. Both adored their wives and said it every day. Both of them used these white milk glass cups for their shaving lather. One is Dad’s, the other belongs to Curtis. We have them displayed on a shelf in our Great Room.
I have displayed these pictures of our fathers all weekend and also a picture of Bob. Bob is such a wonderful Papa to his grandchildren and also to his step grandchildren. Thank you Bob.
“This is the price you pay for having a great father. You get the wonder, the joy, the tender moments and you get the tears at the end.” -Harlan Cohen And yes we get the wonderful memories of lives lived so well and so full and memories that bring us joy and peace. Dianne
