Darrell Huckaby
From 8-24-14
When you go to the dictionary for the definition of "unique", you'll find that it is "something which has no like or equal". Darrell Huckaby is unique in the lives of the thousands of people who know, read, & have enjoyed his writings! Darrell has been like that in our lives.
Darrell first came into our lives as a 5-yr. old child who fell in love with our Rams. It wasn't long before he was writing things about the young Newton Co. players. By the time Darrell reached high school, he was completely colored in "Ram blue & white." His loyalty was unquestioned as he was listed as our team manager--but make no mistake, this young man was as valuable as any of our great players! You only have to look at our video & watch our sideline activity during our Decatur game in the State Tournament to see his enthusiasm as a teenager--a trait he has carried throughout his life. I could write a book about Darrell's "antics", which are unparalleled, but I will try to keep it simple. On one occasion, in an important region semi-finals, he got after the referees about what he thought was a terrible call. He was very upset when they penalized our team by us receiving a technical foul! With tears in his eyes, and expecting a "tongue-lashing" from me, he apologized profusely. I remember hugging him & thanking him for saving me from an embarrassing technical foul as he beat me to the punch. (Now, Darrell remembers the story a little differently, but he always said, "Don't let the truth stand in the way of a good story!") I didn't realize that this young boy had a photographic mind that would capture a memory of so much about our lives--of so many things important to us. Years later Jan & I were talking about the things he could remember about what had happened. Jan remarked--"He even remembers things that didn't happen." Many people like to try and compare Darrell's writings to other southern writers. This is ridiculous as many of these great writers have their own following. Many of these writers spent lonely lives. At times, after partying into the night, most of their friends would go home to their families, leaving them to ponder a life alone for many of their adult years. Darrell has never been alone! He has his lifetime mate, Lisa, beside him, even though when you look at her expression in the caricature of her on the cover of his book, "All Fifty", you wonder if she really wanted to travel down all the paths he took her. The love of their life has always been their children, Jamie, Jackson, & Jenna. Also, he has always had the support of his in-laws (& close neighbors), former coach Benny Potts & his wife, Bitsy. Like many famous writers, Darrell has his own following of thousands of fans all over the country, but none more fervent than in his home area of Newton-Rockdale Co. Darrell & I have shared a major part of our lives. He,& his very supportive parents, attended most all of our games, and Darrell even wrote some articles & poems about our teams early in his life. Darrell used to love to talk to Covington News sports writer, Bob Greer, about the "Blab Slab" & sports. Darrell and I shared another common love-- the Bulldogs of UGA. I gave him my highest recommendation possible for him to be a part of the UGA basketball staff, where he did an excellent job as their manager. His 4- years in Athens at UGA helped cement the love he has for the "Dawgs", & his family & fans have reaped the benefits for years! After graduating from UGA, he entered the teaching/coaching profession. He was an excellent teacher/coach, with a lot of love for those under his direction. Even though he was an outstanding coach, he gave up that part of his career in order to have more time for his first love--writing. I actually taught with Darrell in two different schools after his coaching career ended, & personally observed the respect his students had for him & his teachings. Any student who ever stepped into Darrell's classroom came out with a better understanding about the history of our country. In fact, as I think about it, if we could send Darrell to Washington for a year, we might be able to get back for our children & grandchildren the great country & opportunities that we once knew!! --to be continued.
