In the Friday Oklahoman, I wrote about my dad, who died this week four days shy of his 79th birthday. I didn’t do him justice. He was a far better man than I am a writer. But it helped me deal with the sorrow of losing the man who provided me with everything I needed to be where I am today. A good husband, good father, good grandfather, good worker.
Getting to share part of my dad’s story is a perk of the job. Not everyone gets the chance to do that, and I realize it’s no small thing. It’s a perk, but it’s tough, too. Writing about my dad on the sports page , I kept it mostly to sports. But there was so much more to him than just being a sports fan. Truth is, in the last few years, we didn’t talk all that much about sport. Usually it was old friends or family or places we had gone.
One of my colleagues emailed condolences, saying he couldn’t imagine not being able to go to his father for advice. That struck me, because I never went to my dad for advice. And I wondered why. I guess it was because he gave me such a solid foundation, maybe I figure I didn’t need advice. No reason to ask him what he would do; I know what he would do. The right thing.
I skipped the PGA week before last, because of dad’s situation. He was hospitalized on July 24 and stayed in ICU the next 27 days, leaving only for the last 12 hours of his life. Tiger Woods may not pass this way again, but I made the right call. Staying close to OU Medical Center was the right thing to do, because the likes of J.L. Tramel definitely will not pass this way again.
Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel.
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Comments
Berry – I don’t know if you’ll see this or not, but I want to let you know how much I appreciated the article on your dad. It really touched me, and your love and appreciation for your dad, the life that he lived and the influence he had on you and your brothers came through loud and clear.
Yes, you are fortunate to have such a venue to honor your dad, but you are far more fortunate to have had him in your life, both as a young man growing up and as an adult, leading by example and demonstrating what it means to be a man, a husband and a father. I envy you that – it is no small thing but it is so discounted and taken for granted in our society.
I know you will continue to honor him not only with your words and your thoughts, but with the way you live *your* life – as a husband, father and grandfather. Surely that gave him great satisfaction while he was with us, and will continue to in the days to come. Keep fighting the good fight, and my prayers are with you and your family.
Wylie
For all of us who have lost their fathers we know your feelings. Your priorities are correct. I contrast them to Dean Blevins who blew off medical advice from board certified physicians and thus putting himself over his family to “see Tiger” ( big deal). You were right to be with your dad. You will never regret it.
My condolences on the loss of your dad. We all have to go through this at one time or another. Feel blessed you had him for so many years and cherish the meories.
Mr. Tramel,
Someone posted your article about your father on the OUinsiders website. Thank you for writing it. I just wanted to come over here and express my condolences for the loss of your father. However, it appears that you gained so much from him. My heart goes out to you and your family during this time.