Thursday, May 2, 2024
Superheroes may not be real, but when you have a dad who will do anything for you at a moment’s notice, you start to believe in the possibility.
As a child, our dads worked tirelessly every day to provide for us, with their strength never wavering.
They taught us right from wrong, and will always be our biggest role model — even now, as adults.
Their love is unconditional and we can never repay them for everything they have done for us over the years.
But we will definitely try.
In honor of Father’s Day on Sunday, June 18, we at the Hood County News are paying tribute to our dads, thanking them for their sacrifices and never-ending support.
TERENCE “TERRY” MEANY
HCN Classified Manager Nancy Pricer described herself as being “daddy’s little girl,” when it came to her relationship with her late father, Terence “Terry” Meany.
“He loved music, and so Sunday nights, I'd dance on his feet around the living room,” she explained. “He liked jazz and Marty Robbins; he listened to a lot of that.”
Meany served in the Army from 1953-1955 in the Judge Advocate General’s Office. He was also a well-respected civil litigation trial lawyer.
According to his obituary, he was elected as a “Super Lawyer” in the field of personal injury law by the American Research Corporation which published, “The Leading Minnesota Attorneys,” guide. His most significant trial was against General Motors in the claiming of a power steering defect, which was tried for four weeks in Austin. The trial resulted in one of only two such verdicts in history against General Motors, which was found negligent for failure to warn users of the defect.
Meany was an avid golfer, serving on the board of directors of the Minnesota Golf Association from 1980-1992. He also served as president of the Austin Chamber of Commerce in 1969.
"Our thing was we golfed together,” Pricer explained. “In high school, I was on the golf team, and he'd caddy for me when we would go to state tournaments.”
She described her father as being “the king of puns,” but admitted he had a “different kind of sense of humor.”
"I remember he'd always tell me bedtime stories. Pencil man was this man who fell into this pencil-making vat at the factory, and so, one day when this pencil was at school, this little boy was sharpening it and you could hear 'help me,’” she said, with a chuckle.
With an ironic last name as Meany, Pricer said her father was anything but — describing him as being “kind and gentle.”
“He was well-respected in town and the whole state of Minnesota,” she said. “I don't remember my dad ever getting mad or yelling at me.”
In fact, an important lesson that she learned from her father — and her mother — is to always be kind to everyone.
"He was always helping the underdog,” Pricer said. “He would treat everybody equally. I'd say that would be the big takeaway (from my dad) — to be kind to others.”
JOE VILLARREAL
Britney Villarreal, subscription manager at the HCN, said she is the female version of her father, Joe Villarreal.
"When you first get to meet my dad, he comes off like super shy, and he's not that outgoing, but once you get to know him, then his personality starts to shine,” she said.
Britney’s mother passed away when she was 17, so her dad had to step up and assume the role of both her father and her mother.
“He’s always been there for me, no matter what,” she said. “He’s my rock.”
The pair has an extremely close relationship, with Britney commenting that they spend a lot of time together when they can.
“We talk on the phone all the time,” she said. “He comes down to the house every other weekend or so and stays the night.”
A story that stands out to her involving her dad is also one that serves as an inside joke between her and one of her cousins.
“I don't know why the story sticks out to me, but this was when my mom was still alive," she said, reminiscing. “We were taking a trip. I think we were coming back from Michigan, and it was me, my mom, my dad, and my cousin. We stopped at a gas station or something, and my dad saw a Dairy Queen across the street. He got super excited, and he was like, ‘Ooo ooo, Dairy Queen.’ This is back when we didn't have Dairy Queens here anymore, so to see a Dairy Queen was like gold, so that's our little inside joke. Every time we see a Dairy Queen, we're like, ‘Ooo ooo, Dairy Queen.’”
She also remembers working on vehicles with her dad — a life skill that is now ingrained in her to this day.
"He taught me how to change the oil in the car," she said. "We would just always do stuff together. He's a great guy. I don't know what I would do without him. He's definitely my best friend.”
KEITH WILSON
HCN Copy Editor Mark Wilson said he learned what hard work meant from watching his late dad, Keith Wilson, operate a full-service gas station.
“I was about 14, and I was a lazy kid at the time,” he said. “But, at some point it finally soaked into my brain that the sweat and sometimes tough physical labor he put into the business — with no complaints — was done for his family.”
Mark explained that both of his parents were always hard workers. They grew up poor, and they helped their families pick cotton when they were younger.
"I watched in awe as (my dad) would pause in the middle of working on a flat tire from a large work truck just long enough to wipe the sweat from his forehead,” he said. “The other key memory of watching him work — and an important lesson I learned — was that even though he was an introverted person, he figured out how to talk to the customers, and they responded with kindness and respect.”
Mark said he and his father had a strong connection through their shared love of music.
"I watched as he would listen to the radio and record some of his favorite old-school country songs performed by all-time great singers like Jim Reeves,” he said. “One song in particular, ‘The Three Bells’ by The Browns (Jim Ed Brown and his two sisters) was one of his favorite melodies.”
One Christmas, Mark’s parents bought him his very own cassette recorder with a built-in radio — a memory that stands out to him because music was something that he could always share with his father.
"I started recording my favorite songs from my teenage years, (and) I was so happy when I would ask him what he thought about one of my favorite ‘modern’ songs, like ‘Listen to the Music’ by the Doobie Brothers, and he would reply, ‘It’s OK,’” Mark said. “I’m pretty sure he was thinking ‘But that singer is no Jim Reeves!’”
He added that a special memory was when his dad took him to see his first music concert — John Denver.
But Keith’s strong Christian faith was what impacted Mark the most.
"He served as a deacon in our church for many years,” he said. “(And) that spiritual example he set was far more impressive and impactful to me than any title — deacon or otherwise.”
GERARD LAZARO
HCN Sales Representative Madison Lazaro said her father, Gerard Lazaro, is the “most patient” person she has ever met.
“He's a first responder, so he handles all the elevated calls that come in, and he's very good at talking people down,” she said. “He’s so patient, and he's so nice. He's always in a great mood, which is crazy, because I don't think I could ever do that.”
She explained that her dad is a hard worker, and that the most memorable lesson that he taught her is that to get what you want, you have to be willing to put in the effort.
“One of the things I remember most about my dad was how hard he worked for his family,” she said. “It was not always easy to support a wife and three children, so he would often juggle multiple jobs at a time to give us the things we needed.”
Madison said that her dad is definitely the prankster of the family — but he hates when other people try to scare him.
"He's got a big personality; he’s hilarious,” she said. “He was the youth pastor for a long time, and he would just do the funniest stuff. One time he dressed up as Jonah, and he got an actual fish to show the kids. Well, he left it under the preacher's podium as a joke, so like a week later, the whole entire congregation was so smelly, and nobody could figure out where the smell was coming from. It was the funniest thing ever.”
She said her most recent favorite memory of her dad is when they went deep sea fishing, and she was finally able to see him relax.
“I will forever be grateful for my dad's example and for the way he loves Jesus,” Madison added. “I can still picture him worshiping with all his heart and singing at the top of his lungs.”
JOHNNY INGE
Of course, I can’t forget to give a shout out to my superhero: Johnny Inge.
You have always worked hard to provide for my mom and I, but I’m so excited that you can finally enjoy your retirement and enjoy some much-needed relaxation.
I always used to joke and say that my Father’s Day gift to you is another year of not having to pay for my wedding, but I can’t exactly say that this year — sorry, dad.
I’m so thankful for your unconditional support in my passion for singing, and I love it when we sing karaoke together.
I am also forever grateful for your goofy personality and endless supply of dad jokes.
I hope you have an amazing Father’s Day.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
Living on earth or up above, our dads will always remain a part of us — and we will never forget them.
From all of us at HCN, happy Father’s Day to our biggest heroes. We will always be your biggest fans.
