Corsicana — Ask Whoa Dill, coach of the Navarro College baseball team, this year’s winners of the National Junior College World Series, what he has learned from his father, Randy Dill, and he’ll tell you: “Everything.”

“He taught me how to be a man. How to win. How to lose. How to raise kids. How to treat your wife. He coached me in every sport I played. He taught me everything about life. I’m very competitive, I hate to lose. He taught me that if you want something you’ll do whatever you have to do to get it. He was always around. He put in hundreds of thousands of miles on his car to go to all my games. He made sure I always had everything I needed, even if he didn’t have the money. You knew that on Saturday you had games, and on Sunday you had church. And he taught me whatever you did, there’s no quitting. That’s still my approach to college baseball. I owe him a lot. I’ll never make enough to pay him back.”

Father Ed Monk, rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church, is the son of J.D. Monk, who taught him two equally important lessons: “One is that proper preparation prevents poor performance. If you have studied and prepared, there are very few challenges that cannot be overcome. The other is that a man is only as good as his word. If you tell someone you are going to do something for them, then you are obligated to do it, no matter the cost to self.”

Kevin Stanford, superintendent of Kerens Independent School District: “Kent Stanford showed me that sometimes love is better expressed by what you do and not necessarily by what you say.”

Vicki Gray, Navarro County Justice of the Peace, lost her father, Lloyd Williams, on April 3. “He taught me that the circumstances in life don’t dictate your happiness, that you do by your reaction and if you have faith in God your happiness doesn’t depend on what’s happening in your life. He taught me to live, but in the end he lived to 87 and had dementia and was in a nursing home and he taught me how to die because the smile and the sweet spirit he had didn't leave until his last breath. I was so blessed!”

Marianne Anderson, former Corsicana High School English teacher: “My father, Ernest O. Long, taught me many good lessons — almost all of them by example. One of the first that comes to mind is that you go to work every day, and I mean every day. No calling in sick for anything less than a major illness, and I don't remember that he had any he classified as major. Maybe his influence is why I retired from my job with 150 unused sick days! He had a tremendous influence on me, my siblings, and my two sons, as well.”

Randy Bratton, Corsicana Police Chief, is the son of James Bratton: “(I learned) leading by example, by being a positive, ‘can do’ person. I cannot recall my father every being negative or pessimistic, even when economic times were challenging. Rather, he developed solutions to problems and did not make excuses why something could not be accomplished.”

Frank Steed, Navarro County Republican Chair: “My Dad, Frank H. Steed, Sr., always encouraged me to be the best I could be at whatever I grew up to be. He didn’t care if it was being the doorman, which is where I started out in my restaurant career, or the CEO, he just always said ‘do your best.’ He set that example and I’ve always tried to live up to it.”

Lee McCleary, Corsicana/Navarro County Economic Development Director, is the son of Charlie McCleary, who co-founded the Texas Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in Waco with Lamar Hunt. “My dad taught me to have a vision, develop a plan to achieve that vision, and pursue it — and not to allow anything or anyone to discourage you from ultimately achieving your vision.”

Eric Ryan Meyers, President of Oil City Iron Works and Navarro County Emergency Management Coordinator, is the son of Eric Meyers, CEO of Oil City Iron Works. “Patience, virtue and values are things one cannot be taught but only learned from those they trust and look up to. This is what my father, Eric Meyers, has shown me through the years and I am grateful to have him still to this day to lead me through life’s challenges. Even when we think we know it all, age, experience and wisdom are there to help prove that we are not always right.”

Brian Miers, Kerens Police Chief, is the son of Eddie Miers, who served in Vietnam and was a law enforcement officer, as well. “The most important words he ever spoke to me were be honest, truthful and respectful to others, speak your mind when you have facts to support your opinion, and most of all, never be in fear of making a decision.” A decision may not be right, but you won’t ever know if you don’t make one.

Babbette Samuels, Pierce Museum docent, is the daughter of Meyer Blankfield. “He loved music and theater and passed that onto me. He played violin and trumpet and was in the A&M band while in college. After he married and settled, he played violin in the Scottish Rite orchestra in Port Arthur at one time. Advice: ‘You can always ask, they’re not going to eat you.’ I lost my mother when I was ten; needless to say, I worshipped my Daddy. Sadly, I lost him two months before my 21st birthday.”

Michael Crawford, local attorney, is the son of Timothy J. Crawford. “Never give up. Be resilient. And don’t be afraid to stand up for your beliefs, even when they’re unpopular.”

Jeanne Kaster, Corsicana businesswoman, is the daughter of L.C. Slimp, Jr., who was a Texas state representative. “It was not a way to get rich but a moral duty. He had to get a ride to Austin with other members as they had no car. When they were called into special session and it lasted too long they did not get paid but their secretaries did. He taught me ‘Vote with your morals and every vote counts.’”

Capt. Elmer Tanner with the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office said his father, Elmer “Junior” Tanner gave him three important lessons in life: “If you tell someone that you will do something for them, then do it with no exceptions. A man’s name is only as good as his word because his word is ultimately his character. Everyone needs credit from time to time, so if you borrow money always repay it. Therefore you will always have the ability to get credit based solely on your name. (He said) I lived in Navarro County my entire life and I will leave you with a good name and be careful that you never do anything to disgrace your name and you will always be thought of as a man of integrity.”

Alvis Reeves, executive director, IMPACT Navarro County, is the son of Solon Alvis Reeves. “The advice that I remember most from my father was his saying, ‘Do something, even if it is wrong.’ I guess this was the forerunner of Nike's ‘Just do it.’ Of course, his implication was to get off your backside and become engaged in something.’ This has special meaning to me even today. My wife, Dolores, says I have no patience. I tell her it is my father's fault. I was named after him and attached a ‘Jr.’ to my name until he died.”

Sharla Allen, director of the Corsicana Parks and Recreation Department, is the daughter of G.B. Allen. “As I think about my Dad, I remember the friendship that we shared. Although my parents were divorced, he passed along the important influence of a strong work ethic. My father began working when he was 13 years old. He went on to graduate from Drawn’s Business School in Dallas, and finished his lifelong career with Southern Pacific Railroad as head of his division. My Dad also taught me the value of money, and that quality I labor today with my son, Shae. Dad has been gone for 10 years now and I think of him often. He was a fun guy and is truly missed. On this day, we should pay tribute not just to the fathers in our lives, but to all the important influences in our lives.”

Kit Herrington, county commissioner, precinct 1. “He taught me good work ethics and perseverance and to treat people with respect. He showed me that. Fathers and grandfathers can both set very good examples. My dad did real estate and oil and gas leases. He was a land man. His name was Tommy Herrington, but he always signed everything T.R. Herrington.”

Lowell Thompson, Navarro County District Attorney: “My dad's name is R. Sam Thompson. I've learned a great deal from my father but there is a tie for the most important. I learned you believe in God; take care of your family and help others; always, always, always be positive, optimism is infectious; and you get more done in a positive environment than in a negative; and finally, no man or woman is better than any other, the rocket scientist is no better a person than the guy who digs ditches for a living, they just have different jobs.”

Mike Baldree, Blooming Grove superintendent: “As I think about my dad this Father's Day there are many values and beliefs that he gave to my brother and myself. Among those were the importance of faith, family, hard work, and education. Growing up in our home, there was never a question as to whether or not we would go to college, but what would we major in. Education was the key to our future and with a degree we would accomplish our goals. My dad is Hollis Baldree and I hope and pray that I can one day be half the man that he believes I can be.”

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Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “sound off” to this article? E-mail: Soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com