In Memory of Dad...

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, my daddy migrated to the South after a stint in the Navy and attending radio school. In the late-50’s he accepted a job at a radio station in North Wilkesboro, NC, met and married my mom, and fell in love with ALL things southern. He never went back north except to visit family.

Daddy knew what was important in life. He worked hard to support his family and he worked equally as hard to help and support others. His paying job was selling radio advertising for WLBG in Laurens, SC and later for WSSL in Greenville. His volunteer job was fundraising for any and every organization that asked for his help, especially those that promoted youth sports. My daddy loved all sports and found great fulfillment in helping young people pursue their dreams on and off the athletic playing field.

To me, my daddy was larger than life. Physically, he was a big man, but he had an even bigger heart. He had a heart for “his” Tigers and IPTAY, Laurens County Dixie Youth, Laurens and Clinton High School athletes, and the Shriner’s Hospital. While all of these endeavors were important to him, his greatest love was sports.

It didn’t matter if it was youth sports or the pros, my daddy had a way of making every coach, player, and parent feel like they were truly special. He remembered every athlete, their stats, their parents, and where he met them. His mind just worked that way. And he never forgot.

Needless to say, my greatest memories of my dad relate to sports. Growing up we spent a lot of time going to games, watching them on television, or listening on the radio. Today my mind is flooded with sweet memories from my childhood that include every Thanksgiving Day spent at either Presbyterian College or Newberry College to see the Annual Bronze Derby match-up, every Labor Day Weekend spent at the old Fulton County Stadium watching the Atlanta Braves, every fall Friday night spent at a high school football game, and most summer nights spent at either Colyar Park in Laurens or Legion Field in Greenwood watching baseball.

These sweet memories come to mind because today my daddy would have celebrated his 80th birthday. As was my tradition, I would have given him a new Clemson polo shirt from Todd & Moore for him to proudly wear to all the Clemson Tiger football games. Daddy wore his COLLEGE COLORS with great pride!

In memory and honor of my dad, Larry Gar,
Beth
Sales Associate & Buyer