My Dad

Well, it's been exactly 10 months since he passed away. Hard to believe how time goes by so quickly. On this first Fathers Day since his death I reflect on what a great father he was to Michelle and me. I learned so much from him and was so fortunate and lucky to have spent a lot of time with him in situations that did not involve "father and son".

As a teenager and during college I worked summers at his business, Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning. What a great experience. I learned so much from him by watching his style of leadership. He was so good with people. He was demanding and would have high expectations but there was also that other side that you knew was there. He really cared about the people who worked for him and they respected him because he didn't consider himself better that the blue collar workers the company depended on to survive. I wasn't given any special treatment working there. But that taught me a lot. Every employee has a job to do and it doesn't matter who you are, you better get it done and get it done right. But then he was always around to eat lunch with workers, buy us a case of beer and let us have Friday afternoon off when we busted our butts to get a big, difficult job done early for him, and just generally really care about everyone who worked for him.

That same attitude carried over to his officiating football and basketball. He did that over 40 years! I was SO lucky to have worked on his crew in both high school and college football. How many sons get to do something like that with their father for more than a decade? I cannot put into words how much fun that was. Again, I learned so much from him. There was the preparation for the season which included studying the rules. He did not tolerate a crew member not knowing the rules and mechanics of officiating football. That instilled in me today the same expectations for myself and those I lead in my job. Be prepared.

I watched him walk out onto the game field and take charge. He didn't let coaches, players, fans, affect how he did things. There was no doubt Bill Raymick was going to be prepared and his crew of officials was going to be prepared. I have carried over those experiences into how I lead in my job now.

There was so much more. Taking me fishing for bream with my grandfather on Lake Conway. Supporting, encouraging, and coaching me for so many years of playing baseball. The vacation trips to West Memphis and Six Flags Over Texas. His love of gardening. Buying me a new car on my 16th birthday. Allowing me to move back home after three very fun but not very good academic years at OBU. Being a wonderful grandfather to my girls. Teaching me to handicap the race horses at Oaklawn. His love of a good cold beer at the end the day.

I miss him.