There are people in this life that defy all logic. Their appearance, their stories, their legend.
Some of these people become staples in your life. They become family even though they have no relation to you other than an undying friendship that has lasted generations.
JR Pike was one of those people for me.
JR grew up with my grandfather.
His childhood was an extraordinary tale of mischeif, misfortune and above all, adventure.
At the age of 3, tethered to his front porch by what can only be described as a dog chain (for humans), he would rush to the edge of the road as a car drove past to collect the discarded cigarette butts to pull the last 2 puffs.
By 5, he was running away from home, hopping trains and living with hobos around campfires. Sometimes making it as far as Florida from New Jersey before being found and sent back home.
Needless to say, he was sent away to a boys reform school when he became too much to handle.
As a teen, he went for a midnight dive into the lake with some boys only to find out the lake had been drained earlier that day. His neck broke when he collided with the rocky bottom.
As a young man, he took up to truck driving as well as dabbling in family life. That dabbling lead him to many wives and many children. Most of which he would leave in the tail lights of his tractor trailer.
His cooking was out of this world. His bbq ribs could go toe to toe with the finest chefs and backyard heroes anywhere in the world.
His tales became legendary and no matter how many times I heard them, they always fascinated me.
When I started film school and received the assignment of making a short documentary, the subject was a no-brainer. "Confessions of a Loverman" was no cinematic game changer but it captivated the city kids who were not lucky enough to have someone like JR in their lives.
JR was certainly not an idol. He was not a hero. He was no mentor.
But what he never fell short of was a great friend.
On August 5th, JR lost his battle with cancer but not with a frown.
He smiled and maintained his attitude of "I'm going to live the way I want" all the way til the end.
He died at home. Happy. With his beautiful wife Kathy and his couch side companion dogs.
Saying JR will be missed is a serious understatement.
But I take great comfort knowing that where ever he is now...
He's smiling and most likely surrounded by a crowd of others hanging off of his every word as he shares his experiences when he was here with us.
Some of these people become staples in your life. They become family even though they have no relation to you other than an undying friendship that has lasted generations.
JR Pike was one of those people for me.
JR grew up with my grandfather.
His childhood was an extraordinary tale of mischeif, misfortune and above all, adventure.
At the age of 3, tethered to his front porch by what can only be described as a dog chain (for humans), he would rush to the edge of the road as a car drove past to collect the discarded cigarette butts to pull the last 2 puffs.
By 5, he was running away from home, hopping trains and living with hobos around campfires. Sometimes making it as far as Florida from New Jersey before being found and sent back home.
Needless to say, he was sent away to a boys reform school when he became too much to handle.
As a teen, he went for a midnight dive into the lake with some boys only to find out the lake had been drained earlier that day. His neck broke when he collided with the rocky bottom.
As a young man, he took up to truck driving as well as dabbling in family life. That dabbling lead him to many wives and many children. Most of which he would leave in the tail lights of his tractor trailer.
His cooking was out of this world. His bbq ribs could go toe to toe with the finest chefs and backyard heroes anywhere in the world.
His tales became legendary and no matter how many times I heard them, they always fascinated me.
When I started film school and received the assignment of making a short documentary, the subject was a no-brainer. "Confessions of a Loverman" was no cinematic game changer but it captivated the city kids who were not lucky enough to have someone like JR in their lives.
JR was certainly not an idol. He was not a hero. He was no mentor.
But what he never fell short of was a great friend.
On August 5th, JR lost his battle with cancer but not with a frown.
He smiled and maintained his attitude of "I'm going to live the way I want" all the way til the end.
He died at home. Happy. With his beautiful wife Kathy and his couch side companion dogs.
Saying JR will be missed is a serious understatement.
But I take great comfort knowing that where ever he is now...
He's smiling and most likely surrounded by a crowd of others hanging off of his every word as he shares his experiences when he was here with us.
Very well written.He will be missed by all.
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