A Man I Knew Well

 

 

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Listen to this short story poem that I’m about to tell,
About a wonderful man that I did know very well.
He was right there with me from the day of my birth,
And he taught me to say “Da Da” as my first word.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A Man I Knew Well

 

 

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Dad always had a hard hat hanging by the front door,
As he had a job as a meter man way back in 1944,
Out at Phillips Petrolem at Borger Refinery so fine.
He worked very hard and always got there on time.

Dad in about 1944 looking young and fresh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dad was a very intelligent man striving to be the best,
Whether fishing with me or working on a job quest.
So he earned a promotion as he worked off his ass,
To a new position called instrument man B class.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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He then worked on all the instruments out in the yard,
And learned them as he studied a lot at home so hard.
His intelligence and hard work got him again promoted.
To instrument man A class with his knowledge noted.

Dad on the right repairing an instrument at the refinery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dad was later moved into the electrical group to learn,
He did well as managements approval he soon did earn.
They promoted him to instrument and electrical supervisor,
Over all the workers that respected him as their advisor.

Dad about the time he got promoted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dad worked that job well until the day he did retire,
Often working overtime at turnarounds getting so tired.
He was rarely ever sick and always early to work,
To keep his family all fed with nice clothes as our perk.

Dad when he was instrument and electrical supervisor at the refinery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Refinery often rewarded him with pay raises,
And often gave him awards in meetings with praises.
It was easy to see they did appreciate everything.
And respected the knowledge his experience did bring.

Dad receiving a performance award at the refinery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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When I was about 10, Phillips sent Dad up to Okmolgee,
Near Tulsa, to work on refinery instruments to see,
If he could help get the plant up and running again.
On the way to Sulphur Springs, we picked him up then.

Dad when I was about 10.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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When I was 16, they sent Dad to Great Falls, Montana,
To help start up a refinery out in small town Americana.
He was out there two months building his reputation,
As the best field instrument man in the Phillips nation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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When I was in college, Phillips send Dad to Belgium,
For 6 months to a Chemical Complex working per diem,
To prepare the new facility instruments for start up action.
Dad took Mom along on this trip with a happy reaction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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We loved Dad for his hard working Refinery career,
And all the fun activities we did together out there.
Fishing and camping in the Great Outdoors everywhere.
Having fun as a family growing up in his loving care.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I can’t ever remember once in my life I was ever hungry,
And we always looked nice with clothes of this country.
So thanks to you Dad for all you did for your own family,
Working and playing hard with Mom, JerrylDine, Craig and me.

Thanks Pappy for all you did do.

 

 

 

 

 

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By Bill

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading A Man I Knew Well,
Bill