My "Ode to Billy Joe"

My dad was born on March 4. His name was Billy Joe. He was the second son born and had four brothers, LeRoy – the eldest, Frank, Pat and Butch.

My dad was the most handsome man in the world – to me. His skin was dark from working in the sun all day and he had black hair. When he dressed up he smelled so good!

He worked hard and he would come home in the afternoon very dirty; he always smelled like fresh dug up dirt. He ran a loader and dump truck with his small excavation company. He was an outlaw with his equipment but he always made it work. He cleared lots for contractors to build homes and he was the best in the business.

We lived a very comfortable life – at least I was always comfortable. I know that he and mom often worried about the money, but I don’t remember ever missing a meal and we always had clothes and shoes. We even had many luxuries over the years.

While I was growing up, we lived two houses over from grandma’s house; his family is very close knit. Daddy would stop by his momma’s every morning for coffee before he went to work and usually at least one or another brother was there too.

The brothers would sit around the kitchen table with their mom, drinking strong coffee and talk about days gone by. My cousins and I would love to listen to their stories about their lives while growing up.

He loved his kids and played with us all the time. He would get down in the floor and romp around. He would tickle us until we cried. Every birthday we got birthday licks – how many depended on how old we were.

He taught me a lot. He taught me to drive; he even said I was a real good driver because I never missed a pot hole during my lessons. He taught me to whistle – he was always whistling or humming something. He was real smart about mechanics, and could fix anything that was broke – even if he had to rig it together with whatever he could find (which was most all the time.)

He loved country music and his favorite tune was “Our Last Date.” He would always have the piano player play it when we went to “Shakey’s Pizza” down off Cantrell road. He was also a very big fan of George Jones, Tammy Wynette and all the old country music.

I miss him a lot. After I moved out of mom and dad’s house, he would stop and see me at my house. He’d just drop by every time he was in the neighborhood. He had a good heart and was kind to everyone he met.

My dad died in 1985 of cancer. Way too early his life was cut short. He’s missed so much that I know he would have loved to see. He did get to see his first grandchild, Bonnie, and he doted on her like she hung the moon – he was a great grandpa. But he missed meeting his first grandson and namesake, Billy Joe, as well as Zack, Dylan, Mason, Walker, Lessie, Leigh Ann, April and Kitty. He also missed seeing Tim get his racing trophy when he raced at I-30. I know Daddy would have loved to have been a part of Tim’s pit crew and to have watched the races.

Now I only see him in my dreams. I dream about him often and he seems so real. I guess it's his way of dropping by for a cup of coffee, just making sure that I'm okay. I love you daddy and we are okay - but we still miss you...