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My dad turned 75 today (Sept. 1).
His hair is white and he had a pacemaker placed in his chest in May, but he’s still the strongest man I know. Or, as he told me during an argument we had a few years ago, “I can still take you out.” He was right when he said it and he still can.
Dad has been a diesel mechanic since he was 17, though he sold heavy equipment in Missouri for a few years in the mid-1970s. He has retired a couple of times in recent years. He closed his shop at Sweet Home about 10 years ago, but he continued to rent out his services as a shop foreman for others.
Then he tried retirement again a couple of years ago, but he kept getting offers from old customers to “just come by and help out.” When the doctor strongly suggested early this year that some dizzy spells he had while driving indicated that he needed a pacemaker to help his heart, Dad resisted for a while — he thought it might keep him from working. But a third round of dizziness convinced him the device was necessary, so he had to done.
In the process of “taking it easy” during recovery, Dad has increased his interest in auctions. He used to look for equipment and various tools by attending estate sales and similar events. Early this year he sold off his service truck and some of his tools at an auction, but came home with a new pickup and other tools. Now he helps a man who puts on auctions get ready for them.
When he’s at home, he spends his time in his workshop, on a riding lawn mower or out back “checking the garden.” He’s also learning to make stained glass.
Mom may have realized by now that he’s not really going to retire. Or maybe she just keeps giving him a list of things to do so he will keep working. He would have no idea what to do with himself if he had to just sit in his recliner.
My dad, Woot Dougherty, had a pacemaker inserted May 25 to help smooth his heartbeat. It was performed by Dr. Kennedy at Baptist Health Medical Center’s Hickingbotham Outpatient Center in Little Rock.
He is 74 and always has been in excellent health. He’s been a diesel mechanic most of his life — a good one — except for a few years when he moved to Missouri and sold heavy equipment. He talks about not being as strong as he once was, but he’s still one of the strongest men I know.
He had experienced a couple of bouts of dizziness and fast heartbeats several months ago, but didn’t care for the prospects of having the pacemaker surgery. A recent recurrence of the symptoms helped him change his mind.
My brothers, Pat Dougherty of Carrollton, Texas, and Andy Dougherty of Marion, Ark., drove in for the surgery. My wife, Nancy, and I were there, as was Terry Sayers, the pastor at Pine Grove Baptist Church, where my parents are members. They were married in that church, near Sweet Home, nearly 57 years ago, though not by the youngster, Terry.
He did have to make a stop at Homer’s Cafe, on Roosevelt Road near Little Rock National Airport, on his way home from the hospital the next day.
Dad is doing better — his recovery at home has gone well. He said the pain was still there from the surgery for the first week or so, but he feels much better now. During his second week, He asked me to drive him down to the cemetery to check on a worker the church had hired to mow the grounds. When he pulled himself into the passenger side of his pickup, I chastised him for using the arm nearest the pacemaker, and he told me, “I’m not putting weight on it. I’m just using it for balance.” Sure, Dad.
We’ve all told him that even though his two weeks of “taking it easy” is over, he doesn’t need to rush into any heavy lifting or projects that require long periods in the sun.
When I call the house and ask my mom where Dad is, she’ll say, “He’s outside.” I’ll say, “It’s too hot for him to be outside,” and she’ll reply, “It’s OK. He’s just checking on the garden.” Whether that’s what he’s actually doing, she doesn’t know, but that’s what makes her feel better, so that’s what he tells her.
Mom has had trouble getting Dad to retire. After he closed his business, he continued to do projects for longtime customers. Maybe the pacemaker will get him to slow down some. On the other hand, maybe his continued activity is the reason he’s in good health at 74.
Mike Dougherty's Blog 