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Children didn't want classmates to know Dad was a janitor
From Rob Staley's family
Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of father is man who has begotten a child. The Collins Dictionary simply defines a father as a male parent defined in the Collins President Obama once said "Any fool can have a child, but that doesn't make you a father. It's the courage to raise a child that makes you father." The quality of a father can be seen in the goals, dreams, and aspirations he set not only for himself, but for his family.
My siblings and I are extremely privileged, honored and blessed to have Rob Staley, as a father. As I reflect on our childhood the one thing that was unweaving, and constant was being raised in a Christian home. There was no doubt that we would go to church every Sunday (sometimes twice a Sunday) no matter what. But before heading out to church, Dad would call all together, for family prayer.
We were required to wear suit and tie and dad always told us, "A man never takes his suit jacket off during church, for any reason. No matter how hot you may get." I have followed that advice, until this day, often returning home, on a hot summer Sunday afternoon with my suit jacket wet from sweat.
My siblings and I -- Robert, Cassandra (deceased), Terri, and Jonathan (deceased), always had whatever we needed, not always what we wanted. Even until this day, our father, Rob Staley, has always been a provider.
I can only remember him working for two different companies and occupations, Stonecutter Mills for a few years and for the Rutherford County Schools as a custodian for over 43 years. While in elementary schools, I was embarrassed to let my classmates know that my dad's occupation was a janitor. But that way of thinking soon changed, after watching him take pride in everything he set out to do, even making those floors shine in the halls of R-S Central.
He gained much respect while working for the school system not only for his work ethics, but just being the man he is. In fact, one of the highlights and accomplishments of his life is being awarded and inducted into the Rutherford County Schools Education Hall of Fame.
It's safe to say that working that job for 43 years, as well as being, in the ministry and pastoring for over 50 years, he has become somewhat of a father for thousands of other people.
David Staley & siblings
A first Father's Day without their Dad
From the daughters of the late O.A.Fish
Last Father's Day was tough. We had just lost our Dad a few weeks prior, so we were still mourning. However, as we approach this Father's Day, we are better able to be the girls our father raised us to be, full of faith and hope for the future.
Some of our earliest memories include riding bikes with Dad around our Washington DC suburban neighborhood. Barbara on her first three- speed, racing ahead, Cheryl cruising in and out of driveways on her banana seat, Kim strapped to a metal seat in front of Dad and Lisa balancing on the back seat. Dad made sure we knew how to be good neighbors. As we rode our bikes through the neighborhood, we stopped often to talk with each one that was outside.
Because of his flying schedule (Eastern Airlines pilot) we learned to expect him to be gone on birthdays and holidays. Oh, the joy of Christmas at 3 a.m. before he left for a flight. Many birthdays were celebrated on the closest weekend he had off. And, he always gave us a box of chocolates on Valentine's Day. Even after we each married, sometime during the week of Valentine's, he would still deliver a candy heart box to each of us. Over the years, he would apologize for the shrinking number of chocolates but always remind us that he was our first Valentine.
As for Father's Day, when we were kids, we put handmade cards in his luggage so he could open them in whatever city he was in. Later we moved to North Carolina and Dad and Mom started South Mountain Christian Camp. Since the first summer camp in 1974 we knew where to find our Dad on Father's Day. He would be on the camp welcoming campers and being about his Father's Business.
We watched our Dad go from a quiet Sunday School goer, to passionate Youth Leader, and then into full time ministry. Dad had a contagious passion for serving his heavenly Father. Which meant, it wasn't always easy being his daughters. As teenagers, we occasionally gave our Dad a hard time, like when we didn't get our own cars or get to buy the latest fashions.
When we confronted him about our teenage dreams he would say things like, "See that lake full of kids, I used your car money to build it."
When complaining about our summer wardrobes of cut offs and hand-me-downs, we would hear about all the kids who couldn't pay for camp, "I think your jeans will make it until fall" he'd say.
Of course, he sacrificed too, he only bought one new vehicle for himself. In 1972 he purchased a brand new long bed Chevy truck. It took him to the airport, hauled lumber to build the camp and was still used to deliver campers' luggage to cabins last year.
Now that we are grown, "We get it Dad!" What a legacy our father has given us. We grew up working on the camp, sometimes joyfully, sometimes begrudgingly, but we got a front row seat as our Dad followed his Father.
He taught us how to deal with tragedy and fear. We still hear his words today, "Turn off the alarm in your head, work through the problems one step at a time, and trust God with the outcomes." He demonstrated daily that it is an honor to serve the least. That having enough to share is in fact a bigger blessing than having enough to spare. We learned that serving God doesn't mean a life without problems, it simply means we know what to hold onto when we face them. Romans 8.
Even though we cannot spend this Father's Day with our Dad, we can continue his legacy of being about our Father's business. We intend to spend the day on the camp, welcoming campers, checking pool chemicals and serving in the cafeteria. Thank you for your legacy of Faith.
We Love You Dad.
Cheryl Whiteside, Lisa Haulk, Kim Ruppe
Even a 3 day vacation was a world of fun
From Steve Moore's son Shawn Moore
My father Steve Moore always told me and my two brothers that no one was going to give us anything in life, that we had to work for what we received in life.
My father started Moore's Auto Sales in 1981 and I have pretty much been around the car business my whole life. He taught us that we were to treat people like we would want to be treated in business and in life. When I was a kid, my father always made sure we would get to go to Myrtle Beach for a family vacation even if it would only be for three days, but those three days sure were fun for us.
After all these years he still comes in to work six days a week along with his best friend Gracie, who is a ten year old beagle.
Our family is lucky to have a man like him who has always made sure we had what we needed in our lives.
Shawn Moore
Treat people the way you want to be treated and don't park on my grass;
From Bill Childers' daughter Abbe
My dad has always been a man of few words. The few which included "because I said so" taught me early on not to ask why as much. Never boisterous, but firm, yet gentle.
A very handsome man from humble beginnings on the Caroleen Mill hill, he graduated from Tri-High School, married my mom, served in the United States Army, and had his 19th birthday while serving in Korea.
Daddy then attended college, and worked in construction, before joining Duke Power Company until his retirement.
For the most of my childhood all it took was a look from him. You know, "the look." I may, or may not, have gotten that look quite often; or maybe he was looking at my brother. I seem to have a memory lapse on that. However, he rarely raised his voice, but his vibe was very clear.
He worked long hard days to provide for his family. We had everything we needed and most of what we wanted. We were blessed.
I once asked my mom if daddy ever brushed his teeth. She laughed and said "why yes, Abbe." It turned out I just never saw him because he left for work long before we ever got up in the mornings and most days he didn't return until we were in bed again. That's the plight of construction/utility jobs with long hours and travel.
My dad taught me many lessons, the first being you learn more by listening not talking, stay focused and positive, finish what you start, mind your business and not that of others, treat people the way you want to be treated, learn from your mistakes, and don't park on his grass.
Thank you Bill Childers for being you. I love you so much.
Happy Father's Day.
Abbe Byers
