Locals weigh in with memories of dad

Fathers leave a profound impression on their children.

When a sampling of locals were asked what they remember most about their dad, the answers were as varied and unique as the fathers.

• Demetrius Fuller most remembers the unyielding support and love his father, Jim Fuller, doled out to all his family and friends -- and his dirty jokes.

• Diane Grey Page said as she and her two sisters were growing up in Richmond, Va., her father (Sidney Grey Page) would drive the family up to New York City every summer to see the top Broadway musicals. "He would play the show albums at the dinner table for weeks before so we would know all the words and music. He had a beautiful singing voice and always loved to sing ‘Some Enchanted Evening' from ‘South Pacific.' I think this is part of the reason I became a professional singer and make it a point to go to New York several times a year to keep up with what's new on Broadway," she said.

• "My dad's smile told us we were special," said Gail Murray of Maurice Artigue.

• Georgeen Newell said she feels blessed that her dad (George Knapic), at 87, is still thriving and providing new memories for her, such as mowing his lawn with his riding lawnmower. "From my early years I remember him listening to baseball games on his transistor radio as he did home projects on Saturday and Sunday. Of course I was his helper, or gopher. It was a very special time," she said.

• Geri Golding said her dad (Wayne Golding) has always obsessed about every family member's car by checking tires, changing oil, getting carwashes, reminding them about new tags, and trading them in for new ones. "He still does this for all of us even though his kids are grown. I pay for my own, though, of course. I just let him do his little routine," she said.

• Giovanni Filipponi most remembers playing cards with his dad.

• "He was a great fisherman," said Harry Millsaps.

• What Herb Haigh remembers most about his dad was his heavy British accent.

• "We always had the best jokes and the best backyard football games," said Jami Anderson of Lloyd Anderson.

• The thing that sticks out most in Jamie Dietrich's mind is her dad's generosity. "I believe what drives his generosity is his soft heart. He is so touched by people's situations that he wants to help. He was generous with his employees, making huge pots of spaghetti and bringing it in for lunch, sharing his bonus with them, giving them money for vacation, helping them purchase a car or RV, even purchasing an air conditioner for an employee's father's home. At Christmas he would give more than he could probably afford to local charities to help families that didn't have as much.

"I remember coming home from school one day and my trampoline being gone from the backyard. I found out he had given it to a less fortunate family down the street.

"He takes fish he catches and gives it to his neighbors. He distributes the bounty from his garden to others -- neighbors, family members, staff at his doctors' offices, the butcher at the grocery store.

"Each time he goes back to our hometown in Alabama, he thinks of someone -- whether it be our once family doctor or an older lady in the church he grew up in -- to take an ice chest of fresh shrimp to.

"He goes through his closet in the winter looking for everything he can get rid of to give to shelters to help keep the homeless warm.

"He faithfully has his canned goods by the mailbox for the mail carrier food drive.

"He has given much to his children in an effort to help each of us achieve.

"But his generosity wasn't always fun or easy for a child. One year when I was in elementary school, my mother sent me balloons for Valentine's Day (it's what lots of the other parents were doing-and the lunchroom was packed with flowers and balloons from the florist). You would wait at the end of the day to see if your name was called over the PA system to come to the lunchroom. When I got home from school carrying my balloons, daddy made me turn around and walk back to the school and find another child to give them to. And I did. It wasn't always the easiest lesson to learn as a child, but I am thankful to have been taught the importance of giving to others. They are good memories for me," Dietrich said of Jim Martin.

• Jane Bahr's father (Vernon Bradford) always said, "If you can dream it, you can do it!" "And he taught me to fish!" said Bahr.

• Jane Soloman said what impressed her most about her dad (John Soloman) is he is the most honest man she has known.

• Janet Taylor's father is alive and kicking and the thing she admires most about him is that he gets along and enjoys so many different types of people. "He can fit in with my mothers fancy friends and nice events and the next day hang with his hunting buddies around the barn. My father, Joe Johnston, was always the coolest dad around," she said.

• Speaking of memories, Jeremiah Campbell just remembered that he owes his dad (Walt) money and he probably wants it. "Oh, and that he taught me how not to be a shmuck. Great job, dad!"