11 years ago, I lost my father who was killed by a hit and run driver. My father was a good man. Together he and my lovely mother raised 4 boys and 1 girl. He was well respected and loved by his family, friends, neighbors, church members and co-workers. He was a wise, quiet, friendly man of integrity who had a servant-mentality. He was a diesel mechanic by trade. When he wasn't at work he enjoyed spending time with our family.
As a kid my father took us to church, played musical instruments with us, helped us with homework and listened to us tell him about our day. He was known as a gentle giant.
How My Dad Impacted My Basketball Career:
When I first started playing basketball (3rd grade), my father told me to first learn the basic fundamentals of the game. He told me to practice and use my imagination until I became good enough to play on a team. After receiving my first rubber basketball and a pair of used converse tennis shoes, I begin to bounce the ball all day and night. I took that basketball everywhere that my family went. I even took the basketball to bed with me at night. My first basketball goal was put up in our backyard on a tree with a wooden backboard. I can remember my father working on cars late at night just to get enough extra money to give us lunch money for the next day. He would always come in the backyard to tell me it was time to come inside. I remember always saying, " watch this shot or watch this move dad". He would just smile and say that's good!
"My father enjoyed cooking barbeque, helping others in need, studying for Sunday school lessons, listing to baseball games on the radio and helping out with our family musical group".
I can remember while in high school coming home and telling him that I was going to be on channel 8 during the ten o'clock news. With a genuine smile, he said, you're kidding! That was the very first time that he saw me play and it was when I was on television. After seeing the interview I think he realized that I had developed the love and passion of a serious basketball player.
I miss my father but just wanted to write about some of the things that came to mind today as I reflect on the many memories from my past. As I get older, I'm becoming more and more like him. It's kind of cool to see myself becoming so much like him.
My Fathers Words of Wisdom :
"It's not the clothes that makes the man but the man that makes the clothes or It's not the truck that makes the man but the man that makes the truck. And last, it's not the home that makes the family but the family that makes the home".
Proverbs 3:1-2
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
Memories of Jimmie Lee Hunter II, my father and my Hero
