Most courteous driver award

A relative sent me this clipping of my Dad, pictured in 1957.

I am not doubting the truth of his courteous driving, but I distinctly suspect that his being employed at the Ada Evening News influenced the award given. He had that flashing pearly-white smile. My dad was a people person, a very personal guy. Some have said that he looked like Buddy Holly. You would have to put the glasses on him, I think. He actually had a pair of thin tiger -striped horn-rimmed glasses and wore them when he was serious about science. It’s true! This is all real.

Small town Oklahoma in the 1950’s.

My Dad was a big fan of Elvis Presley. He loved his rockabilly style but especially his love of singing hymns, particularly “How great thou art.” Later, Ray Walker, one of the Jordanaires, continued the gospel heritage of Elvis. My mom, Norma and my dad, Grover, loved Ray Walker.

Strangely, in the background, right now, I can hear the train whistle blowing in the distance, which reminds me of the location of my Dad’s childhood home in Ada, Oklahoma and also where I grew up in Jackson, Mississippi. Both homes had a train track within a hard stone’s throw from the back door.