Monday, March 7, 2022
I have a deep love for Papa Dwaynn that goes way back to my early days at Redeemer. Debbie and I were best buds, we were in the youth group and spent alot of time together. Church back then was alot different than it is now. It was a normal week to attend activities there 3 to 4 times a week not including weekends. Potlucks at Lloyd Hall. The closeness and fellowship there was remarkable. I cherish those times I have not experienced anything close to those times since. Papa would take Loretta, Debbie, and I to Kwans Chinese food restaurant in Scottsdale after the Sunday morning services. It was a feast. He and Loretta were like my second parents in those days. Always very considerate and loving. He loved to volunteer, doing many things behind the scenes. Everyone that knows Dwaynn would instantly associate Dutch ovens and outdoor cooking with him. He had this wonderful cook trailer that he took all over to volunteer/cook at events. I recall one Thanksgiving day that I was invited to spend with the family out in the desert. After playing in the traditional Turkey Bowl at Kino jr High....{My team always won, unless Rick Holman showed up}. Debbie and I drove out to the desert off of Beeline Highway in their old chevy truck. I brought every weapon that I owned. Debbie and I walked out from the campsite and had a blast shooting at things {not cactus} and exploring. Papa Dwaynn had prepared his typical feast for the afternoon meal. Heavenly. It was a beautiful campsite that he set up for the weekend. I spent the night there sleeping in the back of the chevy truck. The rest slept in a camping trailer. Later on that night, the coyotes were yipping and yowling... big time. After laying there awhile, I yelled at them to be quiet......silence. The trailer was rocking with laughter. Debbie told me afterwards that it was hilarious, and that Papa talked about that event many times. One memory that really stands out is a Brigade boys retreat at Dr. Moons cabin. I was a ninth grader. Ray Mehan and I set out on an exploration of a dry riverbed nearby. I discovered a den of rattle snakes. I pulled out 6 rattle snakes over time. Ray and I beat them to death with rocks and sticks. LONG sticks. BIG rocks. Wanting skins, I decided to take two of the headless snakes back to the cabin. Word traveled back to the Leaders. As we were coming up the hill carrying these squirming, writhing snakes, Papa Dwaynn came charging down the hill carrying his pistol. He hated snakes...I will never forget the look on his face. I have sooooooo many wonderful memories of Papa and his family. And there are hundreds of Redeemerites and Cornerstoneians that have the memories and stories to share of this wonderful man. HAS ANYONE TOLD YOU THEY LOVE YOU TODAY? Craig Patterson ps; I will try not to cry
