My Dad, Joe Atherton

Today is the 7 year anniversary of my father passing away from cancer. I have included below the eulogy that my good friend Beau Townsend did at my dad's funeral. My biggest regret is that my dad never got to see his beautiful grandchildren Noah, Ethan, Caileigh, and Olivia. We love and miss you dad very, very much. 

 

 

Joe Atherton 1957-2005

Joe honored me by asking me to speak on his behalf today. Joe said that in the midst of this tragedy he wanted there to be some laughter. Over the years I’ve shared a lot of laughter with the Atherton’s because they’ve often welcomed me into their family.

              Last June, at Jared’s graduation party, Carl Ribbing and I kept pouring water into Joe’s drink when he wasn’t looking. It took him a while to notice, and we all cracked up when Joe found out.

              My favorite story has to do with Joe’s boys. I think any father can sympathize when it comes to attempting to take care of business when your kids go and mess everything up.

              It seems that now and then Joe would take his kids with him on trips in the truck. When Josh and Jeremy were young they accompanied Joe on one of these adventures. Joe backed the truck up to the dock like clockwork, and left the truck running. With as many stops as Joe had to make, it didn’t make much sense to keep turning off the ignition. As Joe got out of the truck, he made a simple request at the boys. “Stay here, and don’t touch anything!” So the boys sat for a while, and became tempted by all the flashy buttons in the truck. The boys started to pretend they were driving the truck, and thought it wouldn’t hurt anything to turn on the lights. One of the boys, exactly who remains a mystery to this day because they each blame one another, accidentally pressed a button engaging the “Jake Brake.” The Jake Brake slows the engine down similar to downshifting a car. When the button was pushed, the truck instantly lurched forward several feet. Luckily no one was hurt, but had there been a forklift on the dock at the time, this story may have been a little more interesting. Josh admitted that he and Jeremy gladly accepted a spanking for that particular incident.

              Although Joe wanted us all to share laughter I’d like to offer that you remember him as the man he was. Without a doubt, Joe was a hardworking man. As a husband and father Joe held his proudest job. Next to the devotion to his family, the vocation that we’ll remember Joe best for is driving a truck. What do our parents wish for us? Perhaps there is an underwritten hope that we become doctors or lawyers, or even politicians. Joe did something that deep inside we all wish we could do. Can you remember riding down the highway as a child, pumping your arm to the truck in the neighboring lane, doing anything for the driver to blow his horn? What could be more glamorous than traveling across the open country? This business was in Joe Atherton’s heart, and his life was that of a trucker.

              Like any truckers life, Joe’s started out with his brothers Danny & Mike and his sister Cindy. Siblings are great when it comes to learning the initial skills of driving. Tricycle demolition derbies in the driveway and bike races down the street are perfect practice for the next real lesson; STEALING THE FAMILY CAR. I don’t know the complete history on Joe’s adolescence on wheels, but growing up he developed an interest for a life on the road.

              As a young man Joe met Pam. As Joe continued his quest in trucking Pam took on the role of Joe’s life version of driver’s education. Pam taught Joe when to stop, when to backup and take a look, and to occasionally check the reflection in the mirror.

              As time moved on Joe worked his way up to the next step in life which was his learner’s permit, and this came in the form of Josh. As Joe’s first son, Josh paved the way for his brothers. Every rule, every method of parenting, every mistake, and every victory was tested first on Josh.

              Next for Joe came his actual driving test, and this test came in the form of Jeremy. Jeremy, with his sense of humor and precociousness often made parenting like the parallel parking portion of the driver’s test. Although Joe found parallel parking challenging at first, in the end the task came with a sense of satisfaction.

              At last Joe finally achieved his driver’s license, and this took place upon the birth of Jared. Like a newly issued license, Jared’s life brought years of hope, experience, and pride.

              So with his license, Joe hit the road as a trucker. Time on the road is hard on a driver, and harder on the truck. Joe added up the miles. He earned plenty of wear and tear. Like any of us, Joe got dirty and dented, and he desperately needed repair.

              As Joe pulled over to rest, like a miracle, along came Jodie. Jodie was like a brand new engine for Joe. With Jodie, Joe’s odometer was reset at zero, and the possibilities were endless. With Jodi came Taylor who was shiny and bright like a new paint job. Cordell had bounce and tread like a new set of tires. Aron was young and edgy like a top of the line sound system.

              With a complete overhaul, Joe had the love and energy to get back on the road and do what he did best. Joe drove for miles and miles back and forth across the country picking up new family members like Anne, Sarah, and the Ribbings along the way.

              As on any stretch of highway, a driver faces ups and downs. Joe ran low on fuel. Traffic held him down. Joe’s load got heavy.

              There used to be bumper stickers that read, “God is my copilot.” With full knowledge of this, Joe Atherton could not settle for the traffic life had to offer. He realized, “Enough of this! I was born to drive.” Joe put his truck into gear, and veered off of the road onto the shoulder. He hit the gas, and pushed past miles of traffic. The stretch of shoulder was miserable and bumpy at the end, but Joe raced through. As the traffic cleared Joe merged back onto the road. A huge electric sign above the highway read, “Detours and road blocks up ahead. Expect delays.” At the sight of this Joe kicked his truck into overdrive. Up ahead Joe saw a blockade that said, “Pain,” and he plowed right through it. Next came a sign that read, “Addiction,” and again Joe went right through. For miles barriers warning of, “Guilt, Finances, Insurance, War, Politics, and Broken Hearts couldn’t stop Joe. At last one final barrier stood in Joe’s path. It was wide, and it was tall. It was solid as steal and it had yellow road reflectors flashing all over it. The sign read, “Cancer.” Joe was scared, but he knew he had to drive through one last barrier, and he did with great power and strength.

              On the other side of cancer the road was wide open. An emerald green sign read, “Forgiveness Up Ahead.” The sky was a beautiful blue, and Joe was peaceful. As a trucker on a heavenly high Joe turned on his radio. He tuned to the first clear station he could find. Joe drove in astonishment as he listened to his greatest wish.

              Clear as day over the radio, Joe heard Josh say, “Anne you can do this. One last push and its over!” There was a silence, and then suddenly Joe’s first grandchild broke the silence with its first cry.

              Joe switched stations, and heard Pam call with excitement, “Come on Scout, come on Butch! Bring me the ball!”

              He switched again, and Joe heard Jodie’s voice saying, “Taylor, you are the most beautiful bride in the world.”

              On the next channel Joe heard a crowded stadium chanting Cordell’s name.

              The music played on and on.

              Captain Jeremy Atherton notified the tower for runway clearance.

              Jared Atherton confessed, “It feels so good to be done!” at his college graduation.

              Aron cracked up as he cruised down the road with his best friends.

              Cindy, Mike, and Danny reminisced around a Thanksgiving table.

              Finally Joe listened as the family joined all together in one house waiting for his return from the road. It was the greatest sound he’d ever heard.

              Joe turned off the radio, and slowed down his rig. Two strangers stood on the side of the rode flagging him down. The truck came to a stop, and Joe rolled down his window. “Do you need some help?” Joe asked them.

              “It’s been a long time, Joe. We’ve missed you Old Man!”

              Joe couldn’t believe it! “Mom?!!! Dad?!!! He gasped!

              “Can you give us a lift, Joe?” asked Bob.

              His parents climbed in the cab of the truck, and they headed on down the road.

              Fran nudged Joe in the side. “I like your family, Joe. You did a great job.”