Page A22 july 2024 1-888-792-9315 • mymortuarycooler.com Scan QR for our website Cots not included MODEL # TR3 Triple Cot Roll-In Mortuary Cooler AMC N W FAST SHIPPING AVAILABLE ON SELECT PRODUCTS By Jim Kurtz Last Writes against Gibson, he’ll knock you down. He’d knock down his own grandmother if she challenged him. Don’t stare at him, don’t smile at him, and don’t talk to him. He doesn’t like that. If you happen to hit a home run against Gibson, don’t run too slow, and don’t run too fast. If you want to celebrate, get in the dugout tunnel first. If he hits you, don’t charge the mound because he is a Golden Gloves boxer.” Dusty replied, “I guess my 17-game hit streak is over!” Once Tim McCarver, Bob’s catcher, approached the mound. Bob brushed him off and told him to “go back to the plate and catch.” Gibson didn’t engage in small talk with anyone, including teammates. After the game, he would get dressed and leave. His fearful glare from the mound was not intended to be intimidating. The problem was his poor vision, and he could not see the catcher’s signal clearly as he didn’t wear his glasses while pitching. During Spring Training, Bob and teammates Curt Flood and Bill White worked to confront racial slurs and started a movement to make all players live in the same clubhouse and hotel rooms. The Cardinals became the first sports team to end segregation three years before President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Gibson was at the forefront of pitching dominance. His milestones included: • Earned Run Average of 1.12 during the live ball era. • Major League record of 300 or more innings pitched. • During the 1968 World Series against the Detroit Tigers, he struck out 17 batters setting a World Series record. • His number 45 was retired by the Cardinals. • Inducted into the Hall of Fame on a first ballot in 1981. Feared flamethrower Bob Gibson was born in Omaha, Nebraska November 9, 1935. He became the St. Louis Cardinal’s fearsome right-handed pitcher who played his entire career with them from 1959 to 1975. Imagine yourself at the plate with a 6’1” Gibson sending a fast ball about chin high and all you see are his arms and legs flailing in every direction as he delivered the ball. Announcer Vin Scully, described Bob’s pitches as if he were “doubleparked.” As Bob laid out sideways in his delivery, the batter didn’t know whether to duck or run. He was a quick worker on the mound with his explosive delivery and follow through towards first base. He established the brush back pitch to establish dominance over the strike zone thus intimidating the batter. Hall of Famer, Hank Aaron, explained to teammate Dusty Baker, how to face Bob Gibson. “Don’t dig in at the plate Jim Kurtz is a funeral director, funeral historian, author and archivist. He recently achieved a 50-year recognition as a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Texas. He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas Funeral Directors Association in 2023. He resides in Fairview (Dallas), Texas. He can be reached at jimkurtz6800@yahoo.com. Photos collection of Jim Kurtz funeral archives. • Ranked number 31 on The Sporting News “100 Greatest Baseball Players” in 1999. • Nine time AllStar. • Two Cy Young Awards. • 1968 National League Most Valuable Player. Bob Gibson died of pancreatic cancer in Omaha on October 2, 2020, at age 84. His arrangements and cremation were handled by HeafyHoffman-Dvorak-Cutler Funeral Home in Omaha. Bob was inurned at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery in Omaha. A Celebration of Life was held exactly a year later at Creighton University’s Creighton Athletics in Omaha. Among the eulogists were Bob Costas and former teammate Joe Torre who told the story when Bob was Torre’s pitching coach, he approached a young pitcher who was whining and kicking dirt on the mound. Bob told the pitcher “If there wasn’t thirty thousand fans in the stands, I would punch you in the mouth,” and Bob walked off the mound. Don’t mess with Bob Gibson. Rest in peace. “Don’t dig in against Bob Gibson” fifth generation of the Reger family to serve the Reger Funeral Home. In August of 2019, the Reger Funeral Home acquired the former Ceredo-Kenova Funeral Home & Crematorium and renamed it the Reger Funeral Home & Crematory CeredoKenova Chapel. This site allows the home to provide their families with an on-site crematory and a beautiful facility for visitations and funeral or memorial services. The Regers have always enjoyed serving the community in many different ways. Beginning with Henry and continuing down the line of succession, they have donated vehicles to the local emergency services and police department. “Years ago, before federal money became available, cities would have a hard time,” says Pat. “The funeral homes would get a new ambulance and donate it to the fire department, and they would utilize it in rescues.” In 1998, the members of the funeral home dedicated a memorial park for veterans, which is located adjacent to the funeral home. Throughout the years, they have made many improvements to the park. Still today, Reger Funeral Home supports veterans. They are planning a rucksack march from Huntington to the Ceredo-Kenova Chapel and Crematory, approximately a six-mile march. This will be in support of the Woody Williams Scholarship Fund. Both Pat and his father George are veterans. Pat contributes their dedication to service as the reason for their longevity. “It was something that was ingrained in all of us,” he says. “The needs of the families come first.” They don’t focus on the merchandise or selling caskets. Instead, they pride themselves on taking care of their families. “I’ve been in the business almost 40 years. I’ve seen great changes,” says Pat. “But the funeral homes that I’ve seen fail do so because they forgot the mission.” “My dad told me a long time ago that no matter how bad your day or your night was, when you come here and work, the people we’re seeing, theirs has been ten times worse than you can imagine,” Pat told the Herald-Dispatch. “You take care of families, because they allow us to do what we’re doing,” Pat says. The oldest funeral home in the tri-state area, the Reger family has owned and operated the funeral home for over 100 years and through five generations. 100 Years and Five Generations Continued from Front Page SCOTTSDALE,AZ— 2024 marks the 41st year of the prestigious Memorial Classic golf tournament, held in Las Vegas, NV. This year’s event was particularly special as it honored the legacy of its founder, Tom Johnson, who passed away in December 2023. In tribute, the event has been renamed The Tom Johnson Memorial Classic. The tournament attracted a full field of golfers from all across the profession. Over the three-day period, the event raised over $150,000 for educational initiatives within the funeral service profession. This year’s contributions set a new record, making it the most successful event in its history. Cumulatively, the tournament has raised over $1,250,000 for the funeral service profession. Jake Johnson expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am overwhelmed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1gRMwGA7cQ Watch the Video FHCNews Online www.NomisPublications.com The Tom Johnson Memorial Classic Raises Record Funds for Funeral Service Education Tom Johnson Funds raised from the Memorial Classic are donated to the ICCFA Educational Foundation and the Funeral Service Foundation. A tribute video is always presented during the event honoring prior attendees in the funeral service profession who have passed away. This year’s video paid special homage to Tom Johnson’s life and contributions to funeral service. The tribute video can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1gRMwGA7cQ. by the generosity shown this year. My father would be incredibly proud of the contributions made in his honor.” Save on Shipping! DIGITAL DIRECTORY Available Download instantly at www.NomisPublications.com
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