My dad was special, if you really knew him you loved him. If you were just meeting him, you were like, "who the hell was that guy?" He was a real horseman and he cared about the others like him. So many people have stories about "Hustlin' Johnnie Long... I remember when I was a kid he even had a sign for his horse trailer stating it. As kid I remember going the Delta, Toomey, and other people's farms so dad could "break their horses". I would get scared for him because he would get bucked off or brushed against the wall but he would always get up, brush off, and get back on. He was a real life cowboy, he was Hustlin' Johnnie.
Growing up around the track and tagging along with my parents I became "Little Johnnie". No matter how old or big I got, I would say to myself how come they never remember my name. Now thinking back, I didn't realize that it was a compliment because it showed how much they thought of him. Yes, there has been good times and bad. There's a lot of memories that are flooding back to me now because this is the start of trying to remember my dad because he's no longer with us.
Some of our best times were working together at the farm and the track. I envied how tough he was and how many people liked him. A lot of times we acted like best friends instead of father and son. I know we would've been closer if I would've stayed working in the horse industry because that's who dad was.
I would like to thank everyone that has helped my dad along the way. The last year and half has been a trying time. Dad was the toughest man I've ever known and he would never stop moving forward. Thank you Dad for showing me the world doesn't stop for you and keep pushing ahead. Thank you for taking care of mom and I, giving my kids their 1st pony ride, we will miss you. It will take some time to get over not having you with us. I promise I will get our girl some riding lessons...😉
I can't help but think that he and his buddy Murray Craddock are already hanging out.
I love you Hustlin' Johnnie... that guy, he's my dad.
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