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Folks Of Interest My 97 year old grandpa, the original hot rodder

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Roothawg, Nov 27, 2008.

  1. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 24,522

    Roothawg
    Member

    I had the pleasure of eating one more Thanksgiving dinner with my 97 year old grandpa. Every year we take a picture because I always think that this could be our last one together. Of course I have been doing that for about 10 years now.....;)

    He still drives everywhere and lives by himself.

    He was a round engine mechanic for years and he was in charge of the crew that installed the bomb racks in all of the bombers for the atomic bomb. He was a produce salesman from the 30's through the 50's while still working his civilian job as an aircraft mechanic. He built cars from scraps his older brothers would discard. He's still one of the smartest guys street wise and book smart that I know.


    Here's a little story for you.

    Years ago, (back in the 60's) my dad was in finals in Amarillo, TX and was up against a fellow club mate for the title of C\Gas. A phone call came through from his C/O back in OK and told him he had to be back on base by that evening. My grandpa told my dad not to worry, he would drive in his place so he could go on home.

    He lined up against his competition (Who happens to be a hambers Uncle, Kikinrods) and ended up beating him. My grandpa still has the trophy and bragging rights. I'm sure Brant's Uncle Steve will still admit his defeat.

    Anyway, he came over and checked out dad's 35 1.5 ton he's building. Here's a picture of 4 generations in front of it.

    Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your family time.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. GizmoJoe
    Joined: Jul 18, 2007
    Posts: 1,299

    GizmoJoe
    Member

    Awesome...
    Thanks for the story.
    My dad passed about 10 years ago in his 70s. He was "old" for the males in my family.
    You are fortunate. Get all the stories you can.
     
  3. Really cool. Pick your grandpa's brain every chance you get. You'll be glad you did.
     
  4. thewildturkey46
    Joined: Dec 4, 2005
    Posts: 754

    thewildturkey46
    Member
    from Rice, MN

    you are a lucky guy, my dad died in 77, my grandpa died in about 66 or 67, Dad was 60, granpa not much older, enjoy those guys like you are. oh yea, great photo too.
     

  5. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 24,522

    Roothawg
    Member

    I was kidding around with him and asked him if he knew how to drive a flathead......He just chuckles and says "I've driven one once...."
     
  6. Guitar Guy
    Joined: Nov 24, 2008
    Posts: 340

    Guitar Guy
    Member

    thats awsome man
     
  7. 327-365hp
    Joined: Feb 5, 2006
    Posts: 5,429

    327-365hp
    Member
    from Mass

    That's a great Thanksgiving story!
     
  8. QQMOON
    Joined: Oct 7, 2002
    Posts: 1,309

    QQMOON
    Member

    How good is that

    QQ
     
  9. jdubbya
    Joined: Jul 12, 2003
    Posts: 2,435

    jdubbya
    Member

    Great story, and I am envious of you for still being able to hear the stories of yesteryear. I always enjoyed hearing the stories when I was younger, but unfortunately my grandparents have been gone for quite awhile.
     
  10. Outstanding testimony.
     
  11. Not2low
    Joined: Sep 5, 2007
    Posts: 83

    Not2low
    Member
    from Eaton,Ohio

    Great story,four lucky men in that photo.
     
  12. I always say respect your elders, eventually you'll be one, Hank
     
  13. 55 Mercury
    Joined: Mar 18, 2006
    Posts: 888

    55 Mercury
    Member

    Good story Chris.. I have my dad around yet by my grandfather is gone. I miss his old stories.. Enjoy your grandfathers while you can...
     
  14. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Great story and a nice photo. Thanks for sharing with us.
     
  15. Hope you inherit those good genes from him! Reminds me of years ago, back in the '70s when I was pastor of First Baptist Church in Shannon GA. Had a fellow in the church who was 92 and still pretty active. His daughter decided that it was time for ol' Walt to stop driving, and she persuaded him to give up the car keys "until your eyes get better." This rocked on for a couple of weeks until one beautiful spring morning Walt decided he wanted to go fishing. He put all of his fishing gear in the car and then remembered that his daughter had the ignition key. Walt did the only thing he could do under those circumstances. He hot-wired the car.
     
  16. HotRodDrummer
    Joined: Dec 10, 2002
    Posts: 1,827

    HotRodDrummer
    Member

    Geat ThanksGiving!!!
    Awsome history lesson..!
     
  17. Had Thanksgiving dinner with my Mom who will be 90 next march. She still drives every day, and tells me great stories from back in the day. Thanks for sharing. We are the lucky ones.
     
  18. sodbuster
    Joined: Oct 15, 2001
    Posts: 5,040

    sodbuster
    Member
    from Kansas

    Very cool........
     
  19. srdart67
    Joined: Feb 3, 2008
    Posts: 357

    srdart67
    Member
    from Sharon, Wi

    i never had the chance at a moment like that your very lucky. cherish it more than just on holidays
     
  20. JimA
    Joined: Apr 1, 2001
    Posts: 4,796

    JimA
    BANNED

    WAYYYYY Cool!!! Wish I could have had a few adult years with my grandfathers- Both were hot rodders that left wayyy too early. That's a great family legacy.
     
  21. What a picture! You guys favor each other so much it looks like the same guy at four ages. Cherish these moments.

    God bless all of you.
     
  22. Randy in Oklahoma
    Joined: Sep 18, 2008
    Posts: 301

    Randy in Oklahoma
    Member
    from Oklahoma

    Great story, and its easy to see how you love him. I would give just about anything to talk to my dad, but he has been gone over 25 years now.
     
  23. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 24,522

    Roothawg
    Member

    My grandpa is 97, my dad is 70, I'm 40 and my son is 15.
     
  24. Royalshifter
    Joined: May 29, 2005
    Posts: 15,579

    Royalshifter
    Moderator
    from California

    97...God bless him.
     
  25. BELLM
    Joined: Nov 16, 2002
    Posts: 2,590

    BELLM
    Member

    Awesome photo! You are truly blessed. My Dad has been gone 32 years now, he would be 96 December 15th.
     
  26. safari-wagon
    Joined: Jan 12, 2008
    Posts: 1,457

    safari-wagon
    Member

    Great Holiday story, be glad of the time with the dads.

    My real dad passed over 25 years ago @ 59. My best pal's dad filled in at times, especiallywhen we all needed to hear some great stories. Don Sr wasn't a rodder, but he did travel the globe in the 50s & 60s. He died last spring @ 97 & still had a Cealis script for when he want out on a date!! With younger women!

    Old guys RULE!!!
     
  27. Great story, thanks for sharing. Just recently lost my dad, and wish I had more time with him.
     
  28. fab32
    Joined: May 14, 2002
    Posts: 13,985

    fab32
    Member Emeritus

    Great story Root. Like everyone says, cherish every day with him and your dad. I had the last thanksgiving with my dad over 5 years ago. You sure miss them when they're gone.

    Frank
     
  29. VNTGE41
    Joined: Mar 4, 2007
    Posts: 739

    VNTGE41
    Member
    from l.a.

    great story. my pops is still around but no cool car stories.i know im lucky to still have him ,im first generation gearhead. so maybe in about 70 years ill be the 97 year old in the pic
     
  30. povertyflats
    Joined: Jan 8, 2007
    Posts: 8,282

    povertyflats
    Member
    from Missouri

    Best Thanksgiving Hamb Thread by my vote.....
     

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