I mentioned in last week’s column that I was headed to Kerrville for two memorials to past colleagues at the Kerrville Daily Times.
My history is long with that newspaper because my early years in journalism were there in the 1970s and I returned as an editor there to serve several years in the 1980s.
I was a little unsettled driving there Saturday morning because I didn’t know what to expect – or who.
It turned out nice.
Actually, it was better than nice it was a wonderful experience.
While it was two events held close together – one was at Kerrville’s huge Mexican food restaurant, Mamacita’s, and the other was at the nature center.
It’s important to note that these two fellas worked at the Times roughly the same years in the 1980s, so several people were at both places for both men.
It’s also important to note these guys were friends.
People were glad to see me.
I was the Times managing editor in the 1980s and was their boss.
With their oversized personalities, being the boss was a title rather than a management function.
Jody Rhoden was a photographer and Irish-born Edd O’Donnell was a reporter.
Jody was from Kerrville, so he was around the Times in the 70s and he knew the bunch then.
A few from that era were there – one was the managing editor from those days - and it was a good reunion for me to see someone I hadn’t seen for at least 40 years.
The reception for Jody was set up to allow people to tell their “Jody” stories and I shared mine.
Basically, even though Jody lost the use of both of his legs because of polio, he was fearless.
I told the group how Jody would set up in the end zone at a Kerrville Tivy football game, cross his legs and metal braces, and turn himself into an unmovable human tri-pod.
Same goes for basketball, including coverage of the Spurs games under the basket.
He could be little crazy behind the wheel – I didn’t share my experience - but it was a notable memory shared by many there.
O’Donnell was a fearless reporter and at six-foot, six-inches tall, he could be formidable.
A lot of us attending were in our 70s, but like a lot of reunions the signs of age seem to disappear in the course of memories shared.
I was happy I made the journey.
Godspeed Edd and Jody.
