Father's Day 2017

   With Father's Day just past on June 18, I will recognize three fathers who have faced life's greatest trials and tribulations - and still been among the top dads in the world.
   Ara (Rumpy) Bush, the father of Bethany, Breann, and Braden, and spouse of Tiffany Bush, volunteers his time and resources to Blanchard Public Schools on a regular basis. He is a coach, mentor, and supporter of not only his kids but many other Blanchard Lions over the years. Last Friday, Braden Bush, Rumpy's only son, passed away while at college. Braden was a Blanchard Lion in its truest sense, having played a major role in both the 2012 football state championship and the 2013 state runnerup title. He was simply dedicated to Blanchard Public Schools both athletically and socially, one of the most popular kids ever to attend. I consider Rumpy a close friend, but I have no idea how he feels now (I can only imagine). To lose a child must be the most devastating experience and non-sleeping nightmare a parent will ever go through. If I know Rumpy though, I know he believes that the separation from Braden is only temporary, and he'll see him later. I'm proud to call Rumpy a friend.
   My brother, Johnny Beckham, is another father who endured the loss of his only son - 23 years ago. Austin, 12 years old at the time, was killed when his friend accidently shot him. I never saw Johnny shed a tear, although I'm sure he did as he prayed for Austin. Like Ara Bush, Johnny knows that he'll see Austin momentarily, and there will be a great reunion. 
   I'd also like to recognize my dad - Johnny Dale Beckham (1930-2003), with this tribute. I'm reminded of the David Gates pop song Everything I own when I think of my dad. While I realize that my father was no better or worse than many fathers, he is my hero, so feel free to envision your own father as you read about his life.
   Johnny Beckham was born in September, 1930, not in a hospital - but on a "cotton sack" out in a cotton patch. His mother, Ollie Teola (Presley) Beckham, was picking cotton as she went into labor, and couldn't get to a doctor or hospital. (Ollie was a second cousin to Elvis Presley, but I'll say more about this later.) Johnny's father, Virgil Beckham, was killed in a farm accident in November of 1933, so Johnny, being only three years old, only had one vague memory of his dad - a vision of him as he came around the corner of their shotgun house. After the death of Virgil, Ollie moved to Marlow, Oklahoma - taking Johnny and five siblings to live closer to her parents - Tom and Marvelia Presley. Tom, Johnny's grandfather, was a figure right out of the old west, as he wore a six-gun at his side and always rode a black horse. As a matter of fact, Tom, riding his black mare, is in a photograph of the start of an Oklahoma Land Run in 1892. The photo was displayed in early Oklahoma History textbooks. In the words of Johnny, "Tom Presley was a mean man" not that he was an outlaw, but simply didn't tolerate mistreatment of his family. A story told by Ollie to her children had Tom (her father) riding out to retrieve his younger sister every time she "ran away" from home. Ollie told her children that her Aunt Rosie Presley (actually Tom's younger cousin, not sister)  never married, but eventually would have ten children - so gave them all the "Presley" last name. According to Ollie, Rosie was pregnant with several of her children when Tom rode out to bring her back home.
   Johnny was raised by his mother and older siblings, and went to school in Marlow, becoming a great athlete while playing football and track & field. He graduated from Marlow High School in 1949 and received a football scholarship to Oklahoma State University. When Johnny enrolled at O.S.U., his dorm roommate was Billy Vessels, another star high school football player. According to Johnny, after a couple days of practice, two O.U. football coaches visited the dorm room where Billy and Johnny stayed. They asked Johnny if they could visit with Billy alone, so he "took a walk" around campus. Upon his return to the room an hour later, Billy Vessels was packing his bags for the University of Oklahoma. Johnny told me the next time he saw Billy, he was driving a big yellow Buick.
   The Korean War was just beginning at this time, so Johnny joined the Marines, was sent to San Diego for basic training, and became a Lieutenant in the Military Police. According to Johnny's older sister, he did not go to Korea because he could play football, and played on his marine team for San Diego. After his stint in the Marine Corps, Johnny became a rodeo cowboy, and toured the rodeo circuit as a "bull rider" and "bulldogger", and became friends with Jim Shoulders, Mickey Mantle, and Dan Blocker, of "Bonanza" fame. While rodeoing at Madison Square Garden in New York, Johnny also "modeled" for a romance-drama magazine, as his photo was used for one of the stories. (My mother, Mary, still has a tattered copy of the magazine).
   My dad, Johnny, began to lose his eyesight in 1964, and by 1966 was legally "blind". My mother went back to college to earn a teaching degree to support the family. Although blind, my father was my football little league coach and still my hero - he was bigger than life to me. Johnny continued to work at home - breaking horses for friends and other cowboy chores such as feeding cattle... and building barns with no eyesight. He attended every high school football game my brother and I played in, as my mother narrated the action so he could be proud of his sons. We truly hoped he was.
   I became a high school football and track coach after college, and was lucky enough to coach several championship teams. I was very proud of all the players and teams I coached, but I was most proud when my father was able to attend. One football game comes to mind when I remember Dad: Ardmore, 8 - 0, ranked number one in the state visited Duncan, 8 - 0, ranked number two for whom I coached. My brother and daddy arrived just before kickoff, and had to stand for the entire game. My brother watched and narrated every play to daddy, just as a radio announcer would. It came down to the last play, as Duncan kicked a field goal to win 23 - 21. My brother and father were completely exhausted after the game, but I was the proudest I'd ever been.
   I remember thinking my dad was a combination of James Arness of "Gunsmoke" and Johnny Cash  (His minister, Bill Love, said he sounded a lot like Johnny Cash when singing). Johnny sang country-western ballads such as "The Blizzard" by Jim Reeves and "Gentle on My Mind" by Glen Campbell to us kids while we grew up. My father will stay with me every day, until I join him. That day will definitely be a "Father and Child Reunion"...
   John Dale Beckham, my father, died in 2003 after a hard battle with cancer. He was the greatest man I ever knew, and I think about him every day. His only wish, was that somehow he could regain his eyesight, if only for one day, so he could see how his kids had grown up. I'm quite sure he has seen us now...