People from the old days in Moultrie may remember my grandfather, the greatest, kindest, most patriotic American Ive ever known. Dallas Eugene Snipes. I was not blood related to him, he was my grandmother (Hazel Snipes) second husband, but this man treated me like I was his very own son. Gene was a pressman in the old Moultrie Observer for many years. During the war, he ran printing presses at the Pentagon, printing top secret documents. He never served in combat because he walked with a limp from an old childhood injury. In the 60s when I was growing up, Gene and I went everywhere together. He drove an old 50s model Mercury (black, with old chaky paint that would get on your clothes), and I remember very well riding to town with him in it many a time. We would go to the old Brazier and get burgers and milkshakes, and he often took me to Murphys or Woolworths to buy me a toy. Gene never passed a poor old beggar or blind person on the street without dropping some change in their cup. He would often run into friends of his on the streets of downtown Moultrie and stop to chat with them. Any time you saw Gene on the street, you saw him dressed just like this photo, with a nice suit on and a hat. Gene took a lot of pride in his appearance and in his town. He was a true southern gentleman. Gene was one of the most powerful influences in my young life. He taught me all about truth, justice, and the American way, and to me, he was Superman. In December of 1970, his kryptonite, the cigarette, took him from me when he died of emphysema and lung cancer. This photo was from the 1950s, with Gene looking (in his words) like a dirt road sport. And he truly was a dirt road sport! I only hope I can pass on to my kids the knowledge, the life experiences, the values, the goodness, and the love for America that Gene passed on to me. Ill always miss him.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 16:14:10 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015