#9 My dad, B.F. Darnell, Ordained Minister.

 Many years he had a weekly radio program,  He would NEVER ask for money, it was against his principles.

       Mom and Dad

Now ending this series of entries…

Retirement, you must be ready for retirement. Have something to occupy yourself. My daddy did not. His church was his life. He was in demand for speaking engagements. He delighted in those services, but once he was home, Monday morning there was no church building to ‘check out.’ To make sure it was cleaned and thermostats checked. No sick members to visit, no special services to plan, etc. He was not prepared for ‘retirement’.  He finally settled in, but it was tough.

Picture from Belmont History. Dad and Brother Floyd Summey (SS superintendent)  advertising the pony and bicycle to be given away.

My dad had a heart attack at 69. His nurse in Charlotte was a former member of a mountain church I once pastored. She broke a rule or two and told Dick (my BIL) to contact me, “Bro. Darnell doesn’t have long to live. Contact Jack and tell him if he wants to see his father alive he needs to get here quick.”

Dick contacted the Red Cross and they were able to get me on a plane from GITMO.  Due to weather, I was a day late. His funeral was at the South Gastonia Church that he had organized. A large church, it was packed, several present and former state officials were there. I was reminded of a request my dad had made of Governor Cherry, a friend from Shelby, NC. Dad had asked to come to Raleigh and sit in the state ‘electric chair’ and be hooked up as if he was to be electrocuted, just to see how it felt.’ The Governor obliged.

 Studios of WABZ Albemarle, NC Dad, mom and the choir.

I disappointed my dad when I resigned the New Hope Church and left the ministry. It was awhile but he let me know he understood.

Dad was original, he actually asked the undertaker to let him lay in a casket. He then rented the casket for a Sunday morning service. His Sermon, “THE funeral you will attend.” He had the casket up front with flowers. Everyone in the church lined up to view the deceased. Daddy had placed a mirror in the casket.  Some laughed some cried, but it made an impact.  That was my DADDY!  He was, B.F, Darnell, or his take was: Benjamin Franklin Thomas Jefferson Roosevelt Darnell.

Nite Shipslog

PS: He actually introduced me until my teens as:
This is my son ‘Jacktum meyanktum, Hick stank stanktum, bowlegged, knock kneed, pigeon-toed jacktum.’  Believe it or not I got a kick out of it. And many people tried to remember it. Finally Cousin Jimmy Herron got it right. To this day that is what he calls me.
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