Some of you who have access to the Dawgvent may have seen a post about the passing of one of their own, "Uncle Johns Dawg" (real name Gary). We may hate on the pups a lot, but just thought I'd ask the prayer warriors to say a few words for the man's family.
Gary was as big an UGA fan as they come, but the man was legitimately a great dude. I first met him, and started working with him in 2005. He may have given me a bit of a cold shoulder when he first learned I was an AU grad, but it didn't take long for him to become a friend, and one of the best mentors I've had. Spent many a Friday evening at his house knocking down some of his latest bottle of scotch (and the man could knock down some scotch with the best of them). He'd tell me stories of being at Woodstock, and the Atlanta Pop Festival when it was held in Byron, GA. He had all kinds of 60's-70's music stories from his years at UGA for undergrad, and then pharmacy school. And, FWIW, you can probably imagine anyone who was studying the pharmacological effects of substances in the early 70's--they have some really, really good stories. The halls of his house were a shrine to Jerry Garcia, and I'm pretty sure he had a copy of damn near every note the Grateful Dead every played (album or live shows). He was friends with some AU assistant coaches back in 70's, and had quite a few stories of their recruiting ventures into central Georgia in pursuit of James Brooks, among others. One helluva avid reader, he could recommend so many great books. As a senior rep, he had a ton of vacation days, and often used those to take off all or most of December every year so he could devote that time to his reading.
One of the coolest things he ever did for me was give me my first opportunity to attend the Masters. After working together for a couple years, we were hanging out on one of those Friday night scotch drinking sessions. Saw some PGA highlights pop up on the TV, and we got to talking about golf. Eventually we got around to talking about the upcoming Masters, and he asked me if I had ever been. Told him I hadn't, but hoped to one day. Without hesitation, and without asking for money or favor, he informed me that I would be using his passes to attend the upcoming opening round (2007). The man had probably been to almost every Masters since the late 60's, and told me everything I needed to know to get the most out of my first time there. One of the things I remember him telling me was to get there as early as possible and go walk along Hole #10, and then to Amen Corner before the course began to fill. My wife and I left Warner Robins about 4am that morning just so we could be sure to do that--and it was one of the greatest strolls a golf fan could ever take. Day after we got back from Augusta, I bought him 2 or 3 of the most expensive scotch bottles I could find.
Kept in touch with him over the years after we moved to Columbus, GA, I was still spending a lot of time in Warner Robins for my Reserve military duty, so occasionally got to meet up with him for dinner. Was really sad to see his daughter's post on his passing, but thought how fitting it was for him to say farewell on Masters weekend.
Godspeed to Gary, aka "Big Kat", aka "Uncle Johns Dawg." He was truly one of a kind, and among the best I've had the privilege to work with.
Gary was as big an UGA fan as they come, but the man was legitimately a great dude. I first met him, and started working with him in 2005. He may have given me a bit of a cold shoulder when he first learned I was an AU grad, but it didn't take long for him to become a friend, and one of the best mentors I've had. Spent many a Friday evening at his house knocking down some of his latest bottle of scotch (and the man could knock down some scotch with the best of them). He'd tell me stories of being at Woodstock, and the Atlanta Pop Festival when it was held in Byron, GA. He had all kinds of 60's-70's music stories from his years at UGA for undergrad, and then pharmacy school. And, FWIW, you can probably imagine anyone who was studying the pharmacological effects of substances in the early 70's--they have some really, really good stories. The halls of his house were a shrine to Jerry Garcia, and I'm pretty sure he had a copy of damn near every note the Grateful Dead every played (album or live shows). He was friends with some AU assistant coaches back in 70's, and had quite a few stories of their recruiting ventures into central Georgia in pursuit of James Brooks, among others. One helluva avid reader, he could recommend so many great books. As a senior rep, he had a ton of vacation days, and often used those to take off all or most of December every year so he could devote that time to his reading.
One of the coolest things he ever did for me was give me my first opportunity to attend the Masters. After working together for a couple years, we were hanging out on one of those Friday night scotch drinking sessions. Saw some PGA highlights pop up on the TV, and we got to talking about golf. Eventually we got around to talking about the upcoming Masters, and he asked me if I had ever been. Told him I hadn't, but hoped to one day. Without hesitation, and without asking for money or favor, he informed me that I would be using his passes to attend the upcoming opening round (2007). The man had probably been to almost every Masters since the late 60's, and told me everything I needed to know to get the most out of my first time there. One of the things I remember him telling me was to get there as early as possible and go walk along Hole #10, and then to Amen Corner before the course began to fill. My wife and I left Warner Robins about 4am that morning just so we could be sure to do that--and it was one of the greatest strolls a golf fan could ever take. Day after we got back from Augusta, I bought him 2 or 3 of the most expensive scotch bottles I could find.
Kept in touch with him over the years after we moved to Columbus, GA, I was still spending a lot of time in Warner Robins for my Reserve military duty, so occasionally got to meet up with him for dinner. Was really sad to see his daughter's post on his passing, but thought how fitting it was for him to say farewell on Masters weekend.
Godspeed to Gary, aka "Big Kat", aka "Uncle Johns Dawg." He was truly one of a kind, and among the best I've had the privilege to work with.
