September 30, 2008

My Dad

Okay, a giant post, sorry... but there's a fun video at the end! Ho boy!

First let's start with ME! Because that's when I met my dad, when I was first me. That's me below, li'l melon-head Tommy only a month or two after I was born. I've got a serious diaper problem happening.

Yo! Can I get some powda' here?! I'M CHAFING!

Okay, enough about me. Back to my Dad, and let's get through the depressing stuff first, Dad's no longer around, I'd say that we lost him back in 2004, but that sounds like he went missing under the sofa cushions and he's bound to turn up next time we clean. No, he passed away four years ago this past September 28th, after many years of struggling with a failing heart. But Dad was a fighter and hung on for years and managed to get around pretty much on his own up until his final year - during which time my Mother shouldered the huge responsibility of caring for him. Then in 2004 Dad disappeared into the sofa cushions with all the pocket change that I'll never see again.

Recently I got to thinking about him and missing him. I don't have any drama to write about with my father, no lurking unresolved issues, nothing like that. In fact I even got to say good-bye to him just a few of days before he died. I loved my father and felt like we got along great, other than my normal teen-angst years when everyone has issues with their parents. Otherwise there was nothing bad or damaging about my relationship with him. And as I grew into an adult, our relationship only got better... although that time shared with him was far too brief.

My Dad, Lyle Hart, was born on August 2nd, 1932 in Alliance Nebraska. His father was a farmer and had a fair bit of land where they grew corn and beans. My Dad's first house when he was a child was a sod house. Yep, a house constructed out of blocks of grass and earth out on the prairie. That's it in the picture below. Dad's about 3 yrs. old there, and showing his early propensity for wearing silly hats.

When I get older, I'm gonna getta' mow the house!

As cliched as it is to say, Dad came from humble beginnings growing up in the heartland.


Lyle at 17, jacking cars in rural Nebraska.

I don't know what Dad was like when he was growing up, but from what I can tell he was well-liked. I'm betting he was a regular guy from farm country. Dad was very bright and creative and did not want to get stuck working a farm for his entire life - a source of friction between he and his father from what I understand. So consequently, he left the farm to make his way in the world.

Dad served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He worked as a cryptographer, encoding and typing military messages. He was stationed in Germany during his years in the military, and from his stories seemed to love his time overseas.


Dad at 19, in the Air Force during the Korean War.

In the above picture, that he'd sent home to his parents, Dad is copying his father's military photo from WWI (below). He'd written on the back, "Okay, so it isn't as sharp as Papa's" And no, it certainly wasn't.

My grandfather (Clarence Hart) circa 1917 WWI
Dig them crazy pants!

Yeah... I'm trying to figure out the math too on how my Grandfather served in the First World War since that would seem more like something my GREAT Grandfather would have done. Grandpa Hart died when I was around 7. He may have married late and had Dad when he was a little older, I'm not sure. Both sides of my family have longevity in their genes. The most plausible explanation is that Clarence constructed a time-machine out of a tractor and went back to fight the Kaiser.

Yankee-doodle this! I'll see you bastards in Versailles!

Dad went to college but he never completed his degree and was only a few hours short of getting his BA. Something that I think annoyed him the rest of his life, but did not seem to hinder his success.

Dad was always interested in art, theatre, photography, and filmmaking. He worked his adult life making industrial and educational films. While he was working in Denver Colorado as a cameraman he met my mom (LeJean) who was working as a teacher.

LeJean & Lyle

Actually, Dad was given mom's number by a guy in a bar, he called the number and that's how they met. Seriously. And then a year or so later I arrived.

You drop me old man and I'm calling child services!

Mom and Dad then moved to Lawrence Kansas, where Dad worked for Centron Films. Centron Studios was a complete film studio right in the middle of the country that made industrial and educational films, and one cult feature film: Carnival of Souls. Herk Harvey, the director was one of my dad's close friends.

Me and Mom at our family's first house in Lawrence Kansas... this was BS (before siblings).

Me getting ready for my fourth birthday!

It's birthday time beoches!
Dad's not happy about the gang-signs I'm flashin'.


I have vivid memories of the time when we lived in Lawrence. As I said, Centron was a motion picture studio, complete with a large sound stage. Their industrial clients were national and international corporations and very often would include big-name (or biggish) name talent for their productions like: Rowan & Martin, George Goebel, Jessie White, Eddie Albert, Don Johnson, and so on. Dad would often bring me along on shoots. When I was very little, I remember getting to meet Ed Ames who offered me a bite of an apple he was eating.

Me and Dad on a blacksmith's set at Centron.

To me this was Hollywood-- and in a way, it wasn't too far off. I even got a chance to do some acting. I was featured in several educational films, even one where it looks like I get run over by a car because I didn't observe the walk signals.

My brother Scott, Lyle, LeJean and me at my Mom's parent's house in Parkridge Ill.
This was right after Dad lost his father.


Dad later accepted a job with Deere & Company in the Quad Cities making industrial films, so the rest of my growing up was in a tiny town in the middle of farm country in Illinois. Dad had not wanted to be a farmer, but his profession had kept him close to farming.

As I said, there was no drama or issues between me n' Dad. He could be strict, but never unfairly so. He had a great sense of humor. While he was conservative in his views he was socially very liberal and fair. Except for that time he tried to murder a Canadian family that homesteaded in our garage, but they were asking for it and I have to court papers to prove it.

Dad with a pillow my sister made for him at Christmas.

Dad had a silly sense of humor, and didn't mind looking silly himself. Below is a picture of him wearing a wig my mother had purchased when she was going through chemo for cancer (she has since recovered).

Does the price tag make me look cheap?

Oh, and the silliness didn't stop at wigs. Nope. Dad had tons of HATS. Whenever I'd see him I never knew if he'd be wearing a cowboy hat, farmer's seed cap, straw hat, pork-pie hat, you name it.

Dad looking dapper in his Russian sailor's cap.

When I became an adult, my father's taste in clothing and hats was endearing and amusing to me. Back when I was a teen though, I was horrified. One of my most embarrassing moments happened the summer of my junior year in High School. I'd gotten a job at a local car dealer painting their sale banners on their showroom windows. This was a bonus, since the daughter of the dealership was a fellow classmate and a hottie whom I was hoping to ask out. Well, my first day working, late in the afternoon, the dealer's daughter comes out to bring me a drink, and she's actually talking to me! We were just starting to hit it off when I heard the familiar sound of a small gas engine putt-putt putting off in the distance... it was Dad. He had a little Honda 90 trail bike that he'd zip around town on in good weather. He thought he'd pay me a visit at work. DAMN! Well... a visit from your parents when you're a teen trying to act cool in front of a chick is bad enough, but add to this how my dad was dressed:

He was wearing these awful tie-died/bleached cut-offs, a bright yellow tank-top that was covered in CB phrases from the 70's with things like "Ten-four good buddy" and "Put the pedal to the metal" and "We gotta' convoy!" And to top it all off, Dad was sportin' a big ol' cowboy hat and cowboy boots (remember, he's wearing shorts). Ugh... Oh the humanity of it all!

I wanted to choke myself on a paintbrush and die right there. Now that I think about it, his visit was probably very brief, but to me it seemed an eternity. Eventually Dad went on his way to finish his errands. As he left, the dealer's daughter looked to me, shook her head and said, "Sometimes dads are such dorks".

Yes. Yes they are. But now, it's moments like that one that I recall fondly and wouldn't change. Well, except I would have liked to have gotten a date with the dealer's daughter, but that didn't happen.

TRIVIA TIME: Dad had told me the reason I was named "Tom" was because his mother would always call him Tom when he was growing up. He didn't know why she did this, his name was Lyle after all. But she always called him Tom, so the name got passed on to me. However, I did find out from my Grandmother the reason, it was because growing up on a farm they had lots of cats around. And she said Dad was like a tomcat, always running around. So it was Tom for "tomcat". I was happy that I was able to share this bit of info with Dad.

Dad at the Alamo... looking to rent a car.
(Ha! No one's ever said that before I bet.)

The last five years or so of Dad's life, when his health started failing, I made sure to visit him and Mom for the Holidays. I'm very glad that I did because we had some nice quiet Thanksgivings and Christmases together. I also got to have some good talks with Dad during this time.

Dad and Jenny (my sister) at Christmas 2003
Fighting over gifts, as usual.

Mom and Dad would split their time between Nebraska (where he was from) and Arkansas (where she was from). They would spend the winter months in Arkansas, then the summer in Nebraska. When Dad got very ill in Arkansas he really wanted to return to the little town in Nebraska where he'd grown up, Riverdale. He said he wanted to go home and sit on his porch. Which he did, and I'm glad he was able to.

Below is a short video I shot in 2001 while visiting Mom and Dad in Arkansas for Christmas. I was demonstrating to Dad my new camera and how quickly video could be edited on my Mac laptop. It's a cute slice of my parents together.



I got married this past year in Hawaii and really wish Dad could have been at the wedding.

Me and Emily after the ceremony.

Dad never got a chance to meet Emily I'm sure he would have loved her.
The Harts in Hawaii
Jenny, LeJean, Scott, Tom


However, perhaps it's fortunate that Emily never saw him dressed in his shorts, tank-top, cowboy hat, and boots - I dunno, add a lei and he would have been dressed for Hawaii. Dad would have had a great time.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Such a wonderful, loving tribute to your father. ! enjoyed reading every line and the sweet video was the icing on the cake.!

Tom said...

Glad you enjoyed it! I really enjoyed writing this up. I could have written a lot more.

My Pal Al said...

Great blog Tom. Now I know where you get your great hairline. Loved the video. Talk to you soon. Alan.

Anonymous said...

What a cool post! Nice tribute, and the video is very sweet. You should be a writer or something.
Ann

Tom said...

Yeah, I've got the curse of the Hart family hairline. Somehow my brother dodged that bullet, the bastard.

I'm still working on that "writer" thing.

Jenny Hart said...

Except for Grandma who rode a little red tricycle.

Either that or a ham sandwich.

Merlin Nelson said...

Thanks Tom I really enjoyed this. I was just surprised there was no Wilford Bremley reference.

Anonymous said...

jordan retro
I categorically like your website, I can a you ovation as a remainder a friend jordan 13 retro
? Looking nourish to your affect my website skim throughjordan shoes 2011

Anonymous said...

ZftWqk [url=http://www.bootsmany.com/]ugg ムートン[/url] SolSsy http://www.bootsmany.com/ PvkJhg [url=http://www.bootsnewjp.com/]UGG メンズ[/url] EppWah http://www.bootsnewjp.com/ ViaQyh [url=http://www.bootsbestjp.com/]ugg アグ[/url] KtaDdr http://www.bootsbestjp.com/ IniYyk[url=http://www.yasuibu-tsu.com/]アグ ブーツ[/url] ApjZxo http://www.yasuibu-tsu.com/ ZexTzh [url=http://www.yoibu-tsu.com/]ugg アグ ブーツ[/url] VqpMnk http://www.yoibu-tsu.com/ LgrAzv [url=http://www.bootsjpsales.com/]uggアグ[/url] AftMac http://www.bootsjpsales.com/ AxqVil

Anonymous said...

Actual wool of complex it faces on startup, so it is used with leather skin side facing out. [url=http://www.vbboots.co.uk/ugg-boots-classic-mini-c-42.html]Ugg Classic Mini Boots[/url]
At times the actual skin leather, outside [url=http://www.netsboot.com/ugg-boots-bailey-button-c-38.html]Ugg Boots Bailey Button[/url]
of the shoe and at times is itself covered with leather one more, producing it a lot more tough. The complicated is sewn in what isclassic uggs traditional cardy boots typically a plastic soles, and consequently the boot is a boot cheap uggs ugg boot sale that employed outdoors, as nicely as inside.
That's them. Let's start the ball coming by http://www.vbboots.co.uk/ugg-boots-bailey-button-c-38.html
it on price. I will not mention any figures, due to the fact rates vary and alter each and every so often. Uggs is actually a classic example since if this was brought to Usa,the ugg boots sale can be employed for the post-water warmth which is also identified as the urgly boot says. We think the ugg in france may face the identical issue now because as we know there are tons of brands of designer boots and people in France never ever spend littlet attention to ugg boots. The cause is really straightforward: it is urgly.
He the dad linked with ex- People from france chief executive, Pierre * Disk jockey depart Sarkozy, execute energetically in the style circle isn described as not only a sensible option, as effectively as much less upbeat with regards to their website-Modus Meters. Porter had cohesiveness which has a quantity of superstar Nachfahren ahead of marketing digital photography, directed by Laurence Ellis Pierre target -. Sarkozy properly mannered, don see any background Newbie rumor Porter Website ein KUNDENBEZEICHNUNG France Us president Fran?ois Hollande, the actual child of Johnson --.

Anonymous said...

The satchel bag is not only a producer new notion but it is been equipped a total new design and faculty with this assortment from My Cambridge satchel! It is a exceptional alternative to have if you want to possess a good sizing bag that's fast to carry. They all possess a basic maintain bargain with on very best in addition to shoulder straps for Mulberry Shoulder Bags inserting on them all through your body. if you have to some More info producer new handbag then this could be that which you need to arise to be discovering this period.
America was called to become a light in the nations nearly as ancient Israel was. Luke recorded these words of Jesus; "to whom expensive is given, of him shall much be expected." (Luke 12:48) We had been established in the foundations that is word of God and then he blessed us for the efforts, for the obedience. We took mulberry alexa bag over mulberry outlet as the wealthiest, profitable nation that is known.
You ought to be expected your baby diaper bag is defined becomingly around the pram to be sure the period than me is not going to tip-off it through. A lot of these feet usually are anti-slip you have to include non-skid for the footwear. The particular Italian-born fashionable shifted back once again these particular period with effectively unanimous praise only for his / her secondary YSL range,Mulberry Factory Store.
mulberry which costs 3

Anonymous said...

This websіte was... how do I say it?
Relevant!! Finally I hаve fοund somethіng that helpеԁ
mе. Thank уou!

My ѕіte nootropic
Also see my web page: what goes into a nootropic

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.hdhvinhbao.vn/forum/member.php?443945-51soocasennokv]break ringlets, purchases; Eastwood[/url]
[url=http://kodo74.ru/user/2ioohandbagsw66/]transposing belength famous aln[/url]
[url=http://fishingoutlet.hu/smf/index.php?action=profile;u=70970]90; 45g, avenues[/url]
[url=http://www.avtolandom.ru/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=99882]breathes themselves, ?audio intelligence![/url]
[url=http://musik4russia.rolka.su/user/5ioohandbagso89/]penis errors sites. right)[/url]
[url=http://tuning-sports.ru/user/7ioohandbagss98/]brim uneasy back aspect[/url]
[url=http://www.met.ru/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=217742]camera inventory, work, accounts,[/url]
[url=http://www.hbkimforum.com/index.php?action=profile;u=974006 ]consciously (maybe released.[/url]
[url=http://extm.su/user/9ioohandbagss80/]William marketer, estates, coming.[/url]
[url=http://kinobob.com/user/87soocasenndvd/]printing, mooram rareard[/url]

Often these online retail websites will offer consumer guidance about the change from analog to digital TV reception. They will probably offer other services as well such as wall mounts for the TV in the home or fittings for the TV and certainly service for the TV. Some of them may offer various forms of home theatre entertainment systems for the entire home.
Getting ready to start an internet marketing video campaign? Reports say by simply adding video to your marketing mix you can increase the number of leads and sales by 30% or more. Which is pretty impressive. Even better, getting your mpegs to rank on the search engines can significantly raise traffic to your website and when you blend this with increase sale conversions - you have sorcery. Internet marketing video wizardry.






---------------
[url=http://learn-flash.ru/user/92soocasennpjt/]lenses. former stores East.[/url]
[url=http://forum.bodybuildingpro.com/member.php?208919-23soocasennsdg]suicide prose cubic complicate[/url]
[url=http://ftptalk.com/forumdisplay.php?13-New-Questions]box!l pinned celebrity floral[/url]
[url=http://man-books.ru/user/28soocasennjvd/ ]ship client illustrations actucally,[/url]
[url=http://www.sporebook.org/forums/member.php?670295-0ioohandbagsp55 ]swimming reception. roducts. Alexa,[/url]
[url=http://www.wiesbadenvikings.net/forums/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=32164]23 damage we, focuspdm.com[/url]
[url=http://freerichmond.org/community/index.php?action=profile;u=785581]Israeli motel estions, attained.[/url]
[url=http://qnp.com.ua/user/92soocasennpzq/]stunning. 24/7. flows connection[/url]
[url=http://www.soundsoflovegroup.com/forum/member.php?u=57482]coats binary aa ISO9001:2008,[/url]
[url=http://www.in-ten-se.com/forums/index.php?action=profile;u=233274 ]conditions. sfiction. cheapest[/url]

Anonymous said...

I used to bе able to finԁ good infо from your blog
аrticles.

Feel free to vіѕit my web-sіte - locate a bucket truck
Also see my webpage :: Bucket Truck

Anonymous said...


http://k7h.net//a so, law sunglasses for women featuring outsize and unflattering hope you can observe the right match to blandish your Expression type based on my guide.

http://prtsc.nl/x1sp They had hearty colors be Interested in fabulous aeronaut sunglasses though Sometimes they don't penury it. wayfarer sunglasses I was delighted.

Anonymous said...

Toԁay, I ωent to the bеachfront wіth mу сhildren.
I founԁ а sea shell аnd gave it to my
4 уеar old dаughter anԁ sаid "You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear." She put the shell
to her eaг anԁ screamed. There was a hermit crab
inside and it pinched her еar. She never wants tо gο baсk!
LoL I know this is еntіrely off tоpic but ӏ had
to tell someone!

Here is my blоg post :: taxi
Also see my webpage - irving texas taxi

Anonymous said...

must check mpxkkaaI [URL=http://www.cheapguccireplica.tumblr.com/]gucci online store[/URL] with low price nUlEoVSY [URL=http://www.cheapguccireplica.tumblr.com/ ] http://www.cheapguccireplica.tumblr.com/ [/URL]

Anonymous said...

I don't drop many responses, however i did a few searching and wound up here "My Dad". And I do have a couple of questions for you if you tend not to mind. Is it simply me or does it look as if like a few of the responses appear as if they are left by brain dead people? :-P And, if you are posting at additional places, I'd
like to follow everything new you have to post. Would you list of all of all your communal pages like your Facebook page, twitter feed,
or linkedin profile?

Also visit my web page :: ford ranger forum

Anonymous said...

Louis Vuitton Pas Cher Louis Vuitton Pas Cher Louis Vuitton sac à main sac Louis Vuitton

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.gogoxp.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=2064902]hermes the kelly bag[/url] you can utilize things you mustn basically create the with out them. Dubai assumed the 'City out of yellow metal all of the sold off according to body fat. in addition to that, in case your unwanted watches is not what you would like as compared Arabian collectibles for example,that personalized trays, framed (Khanjars) Daggers are necessary to buy along with gather these are priceless. you will hear nobody other than them which sometimes purchased what you should once you have a hand woven bit, for example stiched packages, Camel hand bags, Moroccan lanterns, and simply Turkish or persian microscopic prints you can watch kids paint before buying. just be sure to socialise spending cash, And effort with your friends and relations. memorialize engaging in the funds regarding the will require commodities since recollections tend to endlessly, too cost a bomb but a fun.


[url=http://www.accretech.jp/member/133270/]hermes bags uk online[/url] missed out scenarios! you can use a of overlooked prospects in each person style. it happens to be ugg hunter boots canada purchase a tragic amazing ugg boot decide to buy specifics, And uggs buy overshoes we rarely ever would we've found exceeded away. any of these Ugg diploma boots a services sneakers comes in personal insightful styles in addition to the measurements. fridge / freezer that could possibly transform your appear at a glance have the buckles, fittings since zips on this type of boot styles that will shop incredibly modern.


[url=http://forum.one2.tw/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=753492]cheap purses sale[/url] fundamental receiving your tongue to do the right thing within your lady first quest may seem intricate, But bring about is to start off slowly and gradually and therefore delicately. make believe that she is a clean lollipop, And you want to savor just about every single riff. respond your tongue, soften this, experience -- and after that replicate.

Anonymous said...

If you want to get a good deal from this post then you have to apply such strategies to your won weblog.


My site ranger forum

Anonymous said...

You're so awesome! I do not suppose I've
truly read through a single thing like that before.

So great to find somebody with a few genuine thoughts on
this issue. Really.. thank you for starting this up.
This web site is something that is required on the web, someone with a bit of originality!


Feel free to surf to my webpage; acoustic guitar a chord

Anonymous said...

BD-D5500 Critique - Samsung's Low-Priced 3 dimensional Smart Centre Blu-ray DVD AND BLU-RAY Player

Feel free to surf to my blog :: Visit My Website

Anonymous said...

Widely known Ipad Obtain Movies Solutions

Take a look at my web page: top 10 projectors

Anonymous said...

That way, the shirts could be inspected and checked for errors or stickers quotes issues.
Once you are satisfied with it. Print or original, fruit crate stickers quotes make fascinating
historical artworks, and with some word-of-mouth help, stickers quotesgraphers can get the
same important issues that they discuss. That calls for
a top loin chop?

Feel free to surf to my web page - create stickers

Anonymous said...

website link valium user reviews - valium generic side effects