I didn’t work with your Dad very long, however, I met Jon while working in Primary at Philip Morris; your mom worked in a different department. They began dating and everyone was happy for them when they decided to get married. I remember being in some meetings that Jon was in; he had good ideas and creative thoughts, and was a smart man. Both of your parents were thought of very well.
Daddy’s office nameplate
Bill Warwick: On baseball
Your dad was great at many things but he was a horrible baseball player. When we had a challenge softball game between the Plant Industrial Engineers and the Headquarters Industrial Engineers Jon did not do well to say the least. After the game I told him that if he ever had a child that when they got old enough just say the word and I would be happy to come over and teach them how to catch a ball and swing a bat. I never got that call and was under the impression the plan was to stick to swimming which was safer. The offer is still good. Where I grew up you honored your father in life by not dropping fly balls and running the bases of life hard. For some fathers and sons the game of catch is a setting for a conversation about life where you have undivided attention.
Things Daddy Loved: Spice
Sam: On my dad and me
The following was created by Sam (age 8) for Father’s Day 2000.
The word that describes my dad the best is loving .
If my dad were an animal, he would be an elephant because he makes noises like one .
If I were an animal, I would be a seal because they are playful .
My dad makes me laugh when he tells me stories about when I was little.
And I make my dad laugh when I tell him jokes .
Three things I love about my dad:
1. He likes to cuddle
2. He is fun to play with
3. He is always at my swim meets
Something that I hope dad and I do together this summer is to go to swimming a 100 times .
Dad and Dane | 2000
Sam: On circle cheese
Written by Sam on Father’s Day 2013
Just like that, busy with work and away from the TV and radio ads, it crept up on me this year. But, as the weekend began, so did the flood of Father’s Day Facebook statuses and Tweets.
Oh, right…
Yesterday, I found myself chatting with Julie while standing in refrigerated section of Trader Joe’s. In true Cocktail-Party-Effect fashion, I managed to overhear a nearby shopper’s phone conversation. They needed to buy a Father’s Day card.
Though I froze for only a second, it was a second that I noticed. And as I returned my attention to the cheese options in front of me, I zeroed in on something I haven’t purchased in years: circle cheese (commonly referred to as “Mini Babybel”).
A smile spread across my face and memories slide-showed through my head, as I instantly placed the cheese in my basket and continued shopping.
Later, after putting away my groceries, I grabbed a piece of cheese from the fridge and headed toward my bed. Simply peeling the wax from the cheese transported me to a night at our rented family beach house about 15 years ago.
Cranky from a day in the sun and desperately craving mini Babybel’s, my sister, cousin, and I pled with our parents to go to the store to buy us some. It was a cheese emergency, after all, and we were clearly unaware that the frozen margaritas and card-game marathon yielded our parents less than sober and more than preoccupied. Despite the apologetic no’s, our whining persisted before giving way to our creative “WE WANT CIRCLE CHEESE! WE WANT CIRCLE CHEESE” chant.
Finally, my dad stood up and headed to the fridge. Curious, we followed suit. Swiftly pulling out a pack of American slice singles and a glass from the cabinet, he got to work using the glass in lieu of a cookie cutter.
Moments later, he proudly presented us with a plate full of “circle cheese,” which we promptly shoved into our mouths. Almost immediately, we began begging my dad for more of his ingenious creation. His solution? To convince us that inside-out circle cheese (AKA the square with a hole cut out) was also all the rage. Needless to say, he succeeded.
And so, today – as with most days – I celebrate my dad’s love and the memories he gave me. I celebrate the people – both new and old – who have been there for me. And, I celebrate cheese.
Morning Soundtrack: Jump Jive An’ Wail
Dad and Cousin Danny | 1989
Rick Phelps: On gratitude
Jon, many thanks for…your wit and humor, your caring, the birthday and holiday cards, our early “new age” explorations, helping me “help” you buy a house, the jokes, the recipes, the humorous e-mails, the story telling, letting me borrow “Woody” for my Halloween costume, the early parties, for being quotable and quoting me, and most of all, for being a friend!
Celebrating Jon 