Pop Walters

[Dad]

Ladies and Gentlemen I would consider it an honor to introduce to you Mr. Walters or “Pops” to most of us that know him. Pops was born on May 1, 1930 and during his teen years in Alabama stoked coal for the local packing plant. He went on to actually graduate the 3rd grade before his father died and left he and his brother to work so their Momma could keep the house and dinner on the table and work two jobs of her own.

Pops worked many odd jobs but he always came back to and loved HVAC / R. He settled in with a local company doing residential installs and service for the better part of 20 years. When this and several other companies he worked for had used him up and dried his bones he took placement with a large Hotel chain near his home town. This is where I met Pops back in 1986 as I was running a crew to install a couple of new revolving ovens in their bakery. Pops would check us in everyday and make sure we had everything we needed. He would also bring us snacks and take us to lunch to be served by his long time friend and wife, “Granny” Walters or show us where all the best places to go at night before they rolled in the sidewalks at 8 PM sharp and closed the small town.

Granny ran the employee kitchen where Pops would get an earful each time one of her coolers didn’t close right or her oven burned one of her state wide famous homemade pies. Although we stayed there a week installing the new ovens but it seemed only a few days and I wanted to stay longer and I knew I would miss Pops and Granny Walters down home charm and mouth watering cooking.

I stayed in touch with Pops and Granny and dropped by his trailer when ever I could when passing through and always found him in reasonable health and still wanting to talk all about the new refrigerant types and blends. For this reason (his love of) he took the HVAC-Talk site name of “Retro” and has been lurking here for a number of years faintly posting but when he did you knew there was a presence behind the screen. He celebrated his life with positive energy and kindness unsurpassed by any human I have ever known. You could always bet there would be a dollar bill for each of his grandkids in his pocket and a gleam in his eye with deep love in his heart.

Pops “Retro” Walters died last night from a massive heart attack. He leaves behind his friend and wife Granny, two grown children, 7 grand kids, and a slightly scratched gold watch from his Hotel retirement and his favorite old green fishing hat.

Pops, thank you for being you. I love you and will miss my old friend.




[Edited by Lusker on 03-08-2006 at 07:55 PM]

[Green Mountain]

Very nice tribute, Lusker.

I could only hope that someone would say the same about me someday.

Sorry for the loss of your friend and a bro H-talker.

[The Penguin]

he's gone to that great despatcher in the sky whom will send him on his last call

[RoBoTeq]

Wonderful send off Lusker. Having recently lost one of my older buds, this brings a tear to my eye. Now don't go emailing me what a puss I am again

[Dowadudda]

Originally posted by benncool
Very nice tribute, Lusker.

I could only hope that someone would say the same about me someday.

Sorry for the loss of your friend and a bro H-talker.

you not afraid to ask are you?

[otto]

A celebrated and well-lived life. You're the best thing someone could ask for-a friend to remeber him always.

[sline-dawg]

Originally posted by otto
A celebrated and well-lived life. You're the best thing someone could ask for-a friend to remeber him always.

We all have a short time here, but our deads should be around for a long time.....

[gruntly]

Nice tribute... Sorry for the loss to his family.

[condenseddave]

Sorry to hear that, Lusker. I remember the username. It was an old one, IIRC, I'm pretty certain he was on board here before me. Seemed like a decent sort, never said a whole lot...

[condenseddave]

Wow. User #311!

http://www.hvac-talk.com/vbb/member....nfo&userid=311

[Dad]

Good news...

Grand child #8 named after Pops. A whopping 9 lbs 2 oz baby boy.. bald as his granddad.


Pull out the cigars and give a puff for "Little Bill"

Thanks guys

[frozensolid]

The emotional cycle of life. It's life.

[Workhorse]

Originally posted by Lusker
Good news...

Grand child #8 named after Pops. A whopping 9 lbs 2 oz baby boy.. bald as his granddad.


Pull out the cigars and give a puff for "Little Bill"

Thanks guys

Whew..... I thought for a second there they named the baby Pops. Could you imagine the teasing he would get.

[mattm]

Nice tribute Lusker. Sad to hear and a terrible way to go. My families thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.

[boudreaux06]

Congrats on the baby.

Remembering Pops, I used this tidbit of advice from him, and they came out great

Originally posted by Retro
I boil mine in cheap beer for a couple of hours until they are tendar. Fall off the folk tendar. Let themcool with BBQ sause mixed with lemon juice and honey. Grill on med to med/low flame to glaze the honey and warm the rib meat.

And before anyone asks, I lurked a while before I posted.

[Dad]

thanks ... he was a hard headed old cus but was right most of the time...



especially about his BBQ ribs!

[coordinatesales]

Great tribute Lusker-brought a tear to this tired eye. May we all be so fortunate as to be remembered thus.

[Dad]

Granny just simply had the best lemon and coconut pies ever. She loved to cook and put her personal touch on every thing she made. Mrs. Smith's Apple pie you ask?... No way that could touch Granny's. Simply the smell would bring the neighborhood kids running to her from miles away.




I bring more news as Granny Walters didn't wake from sleep this morning.

Lord bless her as she and Pop are finally together again.

I know you guys don't know them but since posting this a few years ago some may appreciate the follow up.

Truly a great Christmas gift for Pops and Granny. She would have liked a positive spin to her passing.



Thanks again guys.

[Chris_Worthington]

Lusker,

Sorry for your loss.......

My families thoughts and prayers are with you and family.

Chris

[crackertech]

Granny just simply had the best lemon and coconut pies ever. She loved to cook and put her personal touch on every thing she made. Mrs. Smith's Apple pie you ask?... No way that could touch Granny's. Simply the smell would bring the neighborhood kids running to her from miles away.




I bring more news as Granny Walters didn't wake from sleep this morning.

Lord bless her as she and Pop are finally together again.

I know you guys don't know them but since posting this a few years ago some may appreciate the follow up.

Truly a great Christmas gift for Pops and Granny. She would have liked a positive spin to her passing.



Thanks again guys.

And God bless them.They are back together once again and happy I'm
to be I sure.