This is a blog about one of the greatest men I've ever met. His name is Freddy Chapman.
I can remember it like it was yesterday. I was a sophomore and in Mrs. Adkins' class. I had the class with Angel. It was close to Halloween and I didn't have any plans for the weekend. I was talking to Angel and she asked me if I wanted to go to the haunted houses with her. I called my mom and told her what I was doing and she told me to be safe.
On the way to her house she was telling me stories about her dad. About how one time a boy went over to her house on a four wheeler and her dad came out with a gun and asked him what he was doing there. The guy literally jumped back on his four wheeler and left as fast as he could.
This made me scared as crap. I didn't want a guy to start being mean to me before I met him. I mean seriously. I was in Belfry, KY. The middle of nowhere where guys were huge and their wives are bigger. (lawlz)
So I went to her house and the first thing out of his mouth was "What are you doing with my daughter?" Angel started laughing but I was really scared. I tried to smile and that just made things worse.
A few days later I went back over and he seemed a little nicer.
It was all a joke.
Eventually I became friends with everyone that stayed in the house. Freddy, Ryan, and Sherry. They became my second family. I would stay the night at their house, sleep in the same bed with Angel and even though nothing ever happened they completely trusted me. I would go to their family's bar (Club 7) an sing karaoke. I eventually came to be known and loved at the bar. We would then drive Sherry home who was so drunk she would make us laugh all the way back.
I would play guitar for them, and they loved to listen. They always cared about me and always treated me as if I had been born into their family. I would go to concerts and Freddy would always pull me over to the side and ask me to take care of his daughter.
Freddy was the kind of guy that was loved by everyone. I honestly had never heard him say one bad thing about someone and actually mean it. If he ever said anything about anyone it would be something good or it would be a joke that could make everyone (even the person mentioned) laugh.
I remember one night I was staying with them and a guy they had never met knocked on their door. They invited him in and offered him something to eat and something to drink. He had been in a fight and his hand was bleeding pretty bad. Sherry cleaned his knuckles and I talked to him to keep him calm.
Freddy worked in the mines and he was a hard worker. He took care of his family and gave them everything they needed. He loved everything but above all he loved his family and his friends. I've never heard anyone say anything bad about Freddy. Everyone loved him, and no one ever tried to take advantage of him. Freddy could be the nicest person in the world, but if pushed hard enough he could become the world's meanest father. I saw a fraction of this and would never want to see it again.
Some time ago I was told by Angel that her father was diagnosed with cancer. This saddened a lot of people deeply. He eventually had to leave his job. His family went through some hard times. Their friends knew this and through all the years of kindness received they tried to return it.
I never talked to Freddy about his situation and he never tried to bring it up. He never once tried to use his sickness as a means for pity or try to use it to his advantage.
I loved Freddy and his family. They treated me with only kindness and I'm glad to have met them. I think I would be a much different person if I had not.
I received a text from Brandi Stanley today telling me that Freddy had passed away and was buried today. I actually started crying while I was at work.
Why had no one told me that he was really bad off? Why hadn't someone told me sooner? I would have come in no matter what.
I can't even begin to think about how hard it must be for his family.
The last time I saw Freddy was in Pikeville. He was in the hospital and I came to see him. Even though he was sick, all he wanted was to go home. He was still his same old self though. Still laughing and making jokes.
I have so many memories of Freddy and his family, but this blog would be a recollection instead of a tribute.
The one thing I've had on my head a lot lately is that every time I came to see Freddy he would always be upset that I hadn't been over sooner, and as soon as I left he would tell me to come back again. That's my regret right now. I didn't come and spend enough time with him while I could. I wish I could but now it's too late. So I tell myself to cherish the moments I did have with him.
I hope is family is well as they go through this hard time, and I want them to know that if they ever need someone, I'm always here. For those of you who were lucky enough to know Freddy you know that everything I'm saying is right. If you didn't have the chance to meet him, I truly wish you could have. He was a great man. One of which I can say I'm proud to have been his friend. I will always remember you Freddy and the lessons you taught me.
Smartest Man on Pond Creek