THE BRO CODE

Perhaps inspired by the infamous Rat Pack of Sinatra, Dino, Sammy, Lawford and Bishop, but long before Vinny Chase hung with his Entourage of E, Turtle and Johnny Drama. Teamster Daddy had his posse of friends who would do ANYTHING and I mean ANYTHING (no questions asked if you know what I mean) for him.

The posse players were interchangeable at times: his Hartman cousins in the beginning, the Spurgeon Brothers from down home then Maxie Hatcher, Foghorn, Big John McMurtry, Richard Smithson; and with this group there was always drama. However, these loyal lieutenants would do whatever Teamster Daddy asked of them. They had fun carousing, hanging out at the lake telling fishing stories, thinking they were ladies men etc.

Then Bobby Reed entered the picture and everything changed. The posse went by the wayside and the BROMANCE of all BROmance's started. The silver haired chain smoking Bobby Reed was a little slicker, smoother, suave and debonair from the likes of say Foghorn and your average card carrying Teamster brother.

Teamster Daddy started dressing in the outlandish and groovy style of the seventies ... from lime green leisure suits to sansabelt slacks to silky unbuttoned shirts and gold chains hiding in his chest hair. Daddy and Bobby Reed were the Teamster version of two, wild and crazy guys.

His ride quickly upgraded to a Lincoln Town car ... Our house looked like a tricked out cabin of the Spanish Armada. Heavy wooden sconses, candelbras, plush couches, and the best stereo system with Peter Frampton blaring attracted all the cool teenagers to our house when Daddy was away.

Teamster Daddy even introduced Bobby Reed to the family hamlet of Possum Holler. The ultimate signal that he was something special to Dad. Bobby Reed set that corner of the lake on its ear ... He bought a strip of land next to the family farm and installed the NICEST double wide trailer on steroids that Stewart County had ever seen and introduced four wheelers, fireworks shows, massive fish fries and his spoiled kids to the country life. Situated across the country road from the Carl and Millie's Bait Shop ... to date the party gossip line has never burned hotter than when Bobby Reed pulled into the one horse (if that) town.

Teamster Daddy was a man's man. Around his friends he was always laughing, bragging, the ultimate of bad a$$, and looking to get into something. probably because he and his three sisters lost their own dad and brother when he was a little boy... these friendships were so important to him.

After a few years, the BROmance with Bobby Reed ran its course and the loaded double wide mysteriously burned to the ground (true story). Today, the only reminder is a driveway that leads to nowhere except the distant memory of the cook-outs under the stars.

The one true thing that remained intact throughout Teamster Daddy's life was the Bro Code. His commitment and dedication to his friends. He would never tell anyone "call me if there's anything I can do", he would simply show up when a brother was in need and start helping no matter the hour or the situation. He was always there for his friends. The Brotherhood was not just a catchy catch phrase for him. The Bro Code was his credo for life.