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A son, husband, and father. These words would describe my dad. Brother surely, and with all the squabbles and such that come with having sisters. He was a devoted husband. He fought for Mom when she couldn�t. A father, of course, with all the trials and tribulations of raising a daughter. He was devoted to his grandson. Those here have known him as friend, co-worker, brother, classmate, and mechanic. We often adopted friends as family. Some words that would be used for my dad are obstinate, strong, cantankerous, gentle, blunt, generous, and all with the tact of a boulder rolling downhill. All these attributes, both good and bad, describe this man. Those who know him well would describe him as a big man. A helper of little ole ladies with car trouble. An advocate for children as a Shriner. A substitute Santa willing and able with his own lap and padding. He would help anyone who needed it. If you had a cause you needed championed, he was behind you 110%. If you crossed him, he would tell you where you stood; no minced words. Hunting and fishing trips with his brother were a fun time for him. For a while I thought special fish had feathers and certain rabbits came in coveys. Even when they went out to get some mistletoe for their sister�s flower arrangements they brought in some with fur. It was delicious. People were always surprised seeing this man with huge hands working with such delicate parts, be it a firearm, a carburetor, or a toy. I had fun watching people bug their eyes as he rolled out from under a car or lifted heavy equipment. Not many could tell how tall he was when sitting down; even with his head almost as high as mine; and I was standing. My first car was so neglected. When I did start to work for him as a mechanic, I would tell Dad, �this is what�s wrong with it�. He would tell me, �You know how to fix it, go do it.� I guess the grease rubbed off. I saw many strange problems and heard weird symptoms, all to be repaired by our hands. It is also an art to read tech manuals upside down while he looked for diagrams. I also learned to appreciate grass snakes, sow bugs, Blue Grass, and Western Swing. He loved to tease. Some of what he would say would mean the exact opposite. One customer came in and saw dad talking with a good friend. I was in the corner, laughing. With a weird look on their face, they would come ask me, �are they going to fight?� Do you �stand under�? People would tease him about his bald spot and he would say, �that is where my mom would slide the rock on and off my head to keep me from growing taller�. After mom died, the wind was let out of his sails. But that grandson was special. Any grandpa would relate. It was hard to believe he could have gone as long as he had with all he wrong with him. The heart was as stubborn as its owner. He would say, �I�m just hanging around to give everyone a hard time.� He did too. He would send goodies, jokes, and encouragement to all his friends. Let this be my remembrance of that big soul. |
| Tribute to My Dad ~ David Warren Ridley 1933 - 2007 |
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