Memories of Dad on Father's Day

FLORIDA STOCK CAR RACING KARNAC's FLORIDA STOCK CAR RACING
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[SIZE=“3”]This might seem a little ‘Hokey’ to some but I thought it might be kewl to start a thread for the members to post a special memory or feeling for their Dad, past or present, on this Father’s Day.

I read somewhere earlier today on the net that one of the best gifts you could give your dad on Father’s Day, rather than a material thing like a Tie or a Cordless Drill, is yourself. If he is still in your life, give him some of your time today, whether it be fishin, racin, old movies, or just shootin the breeze about something he enjoys. For those of us whose dad’s are gone, here is a place for a special memory or two.

My dad, Charles ‘Chuck’ Fenton, gone now 10 years, was very special to me. He was a retired motorcycle cop from the Detroit Police Department. After retiring and moving here to Florida, he loved racin and fishin in that order. Like most, I never spent the time fishing with him like I should have. However, after I started racing he was my biggest fan.

I laugh thinking back to when I started winning, he was always one of the first to get out to the front straightaway to get in the photo.

Even though promoters and track officials really frowned on such antics, one of his favorite things was to hop in the car on the right side, sit on the floor while holding onto the roll cage, and let me take him for a few hot laps. We did that together several times at St. Pete, however, I never could get away with it at any of the half-miles like NSS or WPB.

I’ll never forget though when I did manage to take him on 3 or 4 hot laps after a 200-lapper at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, GA. Even though his eyes looked like upside-down coffee cups when he got out of the car he was really thrilled.

Below is one of the photos with him (far right) after a win at SS early in my Late Model career. The FOUR is still in primer in this shot.

I miss you Dad.

Jim F.[/SIZE]

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My Dad’s Tribute Site

Me and my dad in his Supreme Court Chambers in NY, July 2002.

He was an amazing man and when I am unsure, I ask myself, what would Dad do here.

He died on Good Friday in 2004, and many were nervous in the Sunday service following, wondering if he just might make an appearance.

I miss him every day.

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I count myself to be one really special lady because I still have both my parents. Dad had a rough year last year but he is still here, still with us and that is all that counts. Little did I know when I was growing up, that dad would be such a beloved person as he is because of his writing. This is dad but a dad that is loved and respected in many countries because of his writing and yet, he is still just dad.

My dad is probably one of the kindest people in the world, just like his dad. My grandfather put countless kids thru college because they could not afford it and yet he never asked for anything in return. Dad would give anyone the shirt off his back and never asked for anything in return, that is just dad.

My dad told me many years ago when his dad died that time is the most precious gift we give to anyone we love. So give your time to the people you love, not money, not gifts, but time. Time to just sit and talk and be together.

Happy Father’s Day everyone and enjoy your dad while he is here. Make time for him and your family because once they are gone, they are gone forever.

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Jim,
Consider yourself lucky to have your Dad as long as you did. I was only 19 when mine died. He only saw me warm-up the car a couple of times, but never race it. I always felt very cheated as 19 year old having him gone so early in life. If it wasn’t for Jim Gray(his best friend at the time), I would have really been lost. I will be going to visit my dad’s grave in a few minutes, like I have every year on Fathers Day for the past 36 years.

Kenny

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Kenny

Kenny

When your dad died, you had a lot of people feeling your pain as well. We would see you and feel so sad knowing it was so hard on you.

Jim and Nancy were very good friends of mine as well. Sunshine was much more than a track at the end of a road (or behind a riding stable). It was a family, a family that was there for each other during the good as well as during the bad. That place will never be duplicated, we have all scattered but the memories will never die.

Kenny, you were/are a special bi-product of Sunshine whether you know it or not. You, the Crooks, Copes, Bowmans, Myers,Jay Gaylord and so many mnay more (Yea, Fenton too).

Kenny, when you stop by to say hi to your dad, (Dale) tell him people from Sunshine say hi as well and that he is and always missed.

OSF :ernaehrung004::ernaehrung004::ernaehrung004:

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Thank you OSF. Those were very kind words. I don’t know who you are, but I will do just that. You are right about Sunshine being one big family & it not ever being duplicated. So many of us had times when we didn’t much care for each other on the track, but in times of need, everyone was there. Fenton & I had a bad altercation, something I did that I regret, but when his son had an accident, everyone in the Sunshine family was praying for his recovery. Even though the"passing" of Sunshine is well behind us now, a great number of us can never forget how it was, “back in the day.”
Kenny

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[QUOTE=Kenny Alderman;10335]Fenton & I had a bad altercation, something I did that I regret, but when his son had an accident, everyone in the Sunshine family was praying for his recovery. Even though the"passing" of Sunshine is well behind us now, a great number of us can never forget how it was, “back in the day.”
Kenny[/QUOTE]

Bygones. Kenny.

You’re right about the old “Sunshine family”. It seemed that no matter what was going between those on the track, if someone took a personal hit, everyone else would pull together and do what they could to help.

I remember your dad very well, like it was yesterday. He was a helluva racer. I remember watching him battle with Gordon Lee, your uncle Sonny, Will Cagle, Jimmy Alvis, Jim Grey, etc., etc. many Saturday nights.

Below is an article about your dad (and you) that appeared in the 1971 Sunshine Speedway Yearbook.

These were some great ‘Dad’s Day’ posts from a few folks.

Hope everyone whose dads are still around got some time to spend with him because as Jane said above, once they’re gone, it’s too late.