Ask Billie

A few weeks ago we talked about what we do with our "dash." We all have one, that dash between our birth and our death. We really have very little to do with either of those dates, but we do have control over what lies between.

This past weekend we buried a gentleman, Lawrence Brock, who used his dash to make a huge difference in the lives of many people.

When I first met Mr. and Mrs. Brock it must have been in the mid 1980s. They had built a beautiful home here but he was still commuting to New Orleans because he was very involved in the oil and gas business. That made no difference because they each became permanent Whartonians.

I remember meeting the Brocks and referred to them as Mr. and Mrs. and immediately was told that they were Bucky and Renee. That indeed was who this charming couple remain.

The community has lost a dear friend, but I speak for Team Wharton, the Boys and Girls Club and all the Rotarians. No matter what the fund raisers were about, the Brocks were there. Bucky may have been 95 in years, but he was as young as the needs of the kids. The annual Boys & Girls Steak & Burger Supper was one of his favorites because he enjoyed seeing all the kids.

Hospitality was one of the characteristics of Bucky and Renee that endeared them to all their friends, their fellow church members; in fact, the community. One day I took some Rotary Gala tickets by their home. It was early afternoon and I decided to leave them at the door in the event they were resting. I had not been home long before the phone rang and it was Renee saying that Bucky wanted to know why I did not stop to visit. They were never too busy for friends to drop in.

Bucky's body wore out after 95 years but his mind and spirit did not miss a beat. Shortly before he and Renee left for Kansas, a few weeks ago, they were hosting the Monday morning Bible study as they have done for several years. With eyes closed most of us thought Bucky was napping when a comment was made about a scripture. He said "hand me that book and read it again."

Bucky will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Renee and the family.

Law enforcement memorial

On the Monday evening news we were told that two more peace officers in Harris County lost their lives in the line of duty and were buried that day. That seems to be happening much more often and how thankful we are that we have not had another tragedy.

We must not forget the five officers who lost their lives since the beginning of Wharton County. You have heard about the Memorial that is planned honoring those officers and we remind you donations are being taken. Donations are being accepted through the Wharton County 100 Club which has a 501 c-3 designation. The mailing address is P.O. Box 46, El Campo.

This project is being done entirely with donations of money, materials and time. The committee is composed by law enforcement officers representing each department and citizens throughout Wharton County.