When it Comes to Grady Patterson, Character Counts
Years back I received a call from the Patterson home with an unusual request. I was asked to meet my friend Trav one day to remove a varmint that had been causing havoc at Mr. and Mrs. Patterson's house. I probably squinted my eyes and shook my head a few times, but of course I made my way to Forest Acres ASAP.
Years back I received a call from the Patterson home with an unusual request. I was asked to meet my friend Trav one day to remove a varmint that had been causing havoc at Mr. and Mrs. Patterson's house. I probably squinted my eyes and shook my head a few times, but of course I made my way to Forest Acres ASAP.
Trav and I were to properly dispose of a raccoon that was angrily circling around in a 2' steel trap. I'm not much for wild critters but I'm all for helping my friends, especially when it comes to folks like Mr. and Mrs. Patterson. Needless to say, it was probably funny to watch.
The Patterson's home is just around the corner from my grandparents, Leon and Sylvene Jones. Given this geography, I've known the Pattersons since birth. While we've known each other all of this time, my relationship with Mr. Patterson was enhanced because of our friend Trav.
As we all know, and Trav puts it eloquently, General Grady Patterson served a complete life of public service. As you can see from the photos above, he served his country with pride. Look closely. It doesn't take a military expert to notice the two stars on the man's shoulders.
Earning a law degree and having been one of the nation's leading experts on banking and bond issues, Mr. Patterson could have sought fortunes in private practice or Wall Street. Instead, he chose to serve the Palmetto State for decades as its Treasurer.
As a new Realtor, Mr. Patterson knew I was only a few weeks into my new career. As he was walking in his screen/storm door in the carport he leaned back and yelled to me, "Make it work, Franklin!" I know it's not a huge deal to many blog readers, but I remember the scene like it was yesterday.
Godspeed, General. Your nation and state are a better place because of you.
As for the raccoon..., we let him go in the creek area between Brockman School and The Laureate. It scared the crap out of both of us when we opened the cage and to this day I've never jumped in a truck bed so fast. :)
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