| Conservative Revolution |
| For My Dad - Robert H. "Rocky" Clinton, Jr May 30, 1949 - October 13, 2009 |
On October 13, 2009, I lost my Dad to a horrific car accident involving his vanpool as he was
commuting home from work. A car came out of no where and hit the rear bumper of the van
causing it to go out of control and flip. My Dad, who was the driver of the van that afternoon,
according to survivors on the van did everything he could to keep that van under control. He was
the most cautious and safe driver that I knew. In this accident two of his co-workers were also lost
and six others on the van were injured. To my Dad's credit, we may have lost him, but his efforts I
think saved six lives.
My Dad is my hero. He truly is. This man had character and morals beyond measure and was
the one person in life that I really wanted to be like in some way. He is a tough act to follow. His
devout Christian faith was something else. People come into churches to just go, but Dad was
there to be involved and did everything he could possibly do. He was a true servant to the Lord.
Dad was this quiet and reserved man. He did not stir things up and got along as best he could.
The people I know that could really try his patients though, were his four kids. Boy could we push
his buttons. So much so, that one day he took that out on our Nintendo when we were little. We
watched in disbelief as that Nintendo was stomped to pieces. I was in shock then, but I just laugh
every time I think about that day now.
Dad served his country proudly as well. He served nearly 24 years in the Navy, retiring in 1998.
In recent years he became a bagpiper, picking up playing the Highland Bagpipes. He was the
Pipe Sergeant for the Atholl Highlanders Pipes and Drums based out of Stone Mountain, GA. He
played in many parades and competitions as well as did many side gigs on his own including
weddings, funerals, and other events. Knowing our Scottish heritage, it was really neat to see
him take that up. Dad and I had talked about him teaching me the pipes and it was something we
just never got to do, but I will now start taking that up hopefully in 2010 to keep that tradition
going. I think I would look damn good in a kilt.
I miss my Dad very much. I am writing this on 11/27/2009. It has been 6 weeks since we lost him.
It has been very difficult for our family. The hardest part has been seeing my Mom dealing with
this. She has been tremendously strong, but it still has been hard. Myself, and my two brothers
Rob and Russ, and my sister Lisa along with our families have been right there through it all with
her. We just had our first Thanksgiving without him and it was tough, but I think he was here with
us still.
I can only hope that as time goes on, I can become at least half the man that Dad was. His
character and principles were something to behold. Like I said, he is my hero. Life is going to be
so different without him, but I know we will be able to push forward and he will there smiling down
on us every step of the way. We have already seen and felt some pretty amazing things, which I
strongly believe is him letting us know he is okay. He has talked to Mom in her dreams about the
accident. I could really feel his presence at his funeral service, which I have to say was one of the
most wonderful services I have seen. His piping band was there and played in the church and
grave side and he received a full military salute. As my brother Rob said yesterday, It was truly a
celebration of a life well lived.
Dad, I love you very much and I hope you continue to watch over us while you playing your
golden bagpipes in heaven. We will see you again!
commuting home from work. A car came out of no where and hit the rear bumper of the van
causing it to go out of control and flip. My Dad, who was the driver of the van that afternoon,
according to survivors on the van did everything he could to keep that van under control. He was
the most cautious and safe driver that I knew. In this accident two of his co-workers were also lost
and six others on the van were injured. To my Dad's credit, we may have lost him, but his efforts I
think saved six lives.
My Dad is my hero. He truly is. This man had character and morals beyond measure and was
the one person in life that I really wanted to be like in some way. He is a tough act to follow. His
devout Christian faith was something else. People come into churches to just go, but Dad was
there to be involved and did everything he could possibly do. He was a true servant to the Lord.
Dad was this quiet and reserved man. He did not stir things up and got along as best he could.
The people I know that could really try his patients though, were his four kids. Boy could we push
his buttons. So much so, that one day he took that out on our Nintendo when we were little. We
watched in disbelief as that Nintendo was stomped to pieces. I was in shock then, but I just laugh
every time I think about that day now.
Dad served his country proudly as well. He served nearly 24 years in the Navy, retiring in 1998.
In recent years he became a bagpiper, picking up playing the Highland Bagpipes. He was the
Pipe Sergeant for the Atholl Highlanders Pipes and Drums based out of Stone Mountain, GA. He
played in many parades and competitions as well as did many side gigs on his own including
weddings, funerals, and other events. Knowing our Scottish heritage, it was really neat to see
him take that up. Dad and I had talked about him teaching me the pipes and it was something we
just never got to do, but I will now start taking that up hopefully in 2010 to keep that tradition
going. I think I would look damn good in a kilt.
I miss my Dad very much. I am writing this on 11/27/2009. It has been 6 weeks since we lost him.
It has been very difficult for our family. The hardest part has been seeing my Mom dealing with
this. She has been tremendously strong, but it still has been hard. Myself, and my two brothers
Rob and Russ, and my sister Lisa along with our families have been right there through it all with
her. We just had our first Thanksgiving without him and it was tough, but I think he was here with
us still.
I can only hope that as time goes on, I can become at least half the man that Dad was. His
character and principles were something to behold. Like I said, he is my hero. Life is going to be
so different without him, but I know we will be able to push forward and he will there smiling down
on us every step of the way. We have already seen and felt some pretty amazing things, which I
strongly believe is him letting us know he is okay. He has talked to Mom in her dreams about the
accident. I could really feel his presence at his funeral service, which I have to say was one of the
most wonderful services I have seen. His piping band was there and played in the church and
grave side and he received a full military salute. As my brother Rob said yesterday, It was truly a
celebration of a life well lived.
Dad, I love you very much and I hope you continue to watch over us while you playing your
golden bagpipes in heaven. We will see you again!
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