Leading Regardless of Position
Entering the Sunrise Market with the assistance of a walker, Don Todd makes his way to his regular booth where he will sit and enjoy his coffee that someone brings to him. This early morning ritual usually starts around 5:30 when Jean, his wife of fifty-seven years, drives him there. He will stay about forty-five minutes; then he calls for Jean to come back for him and take him home to eat breakfast. It is a daily routine that Don looks forward to every morning.
Don, now seventy-eight years old, will tell you that this early morning gathering is one of the highlights of his day, when, for a little while, he gets to connect with so many--former students, friends, or long-time acquaintances. Some are on their way to work. Some can "sit a spell." It is intriguing to watch him interact with them. During those brief encounters, one can see and feel the love and respect given to him and by him.
Who is this man that I fondly call Dandy Don? And why is his legacy of leadership and influence cherished by so many?
Teddy Don Todd was born on April 11, 1944, in a small house that was located on the Hardin and McNairy County line off of Jot-Em-Down Road outside of Adamsville, Tennessee. He was the first of four children to be born to Ted and Naomi Todd, and on this special day of his birth his father was stationed in Okinawa, an island in the Pacific Ocean, with the armed forces during World War II.
His parents were good, hard-working people who lived principled lives, but, like some, struggled to make a living. In spite of this, their three sons would graduate from college. Their only daughter became a successful wife and mother. The family moved several times during Don's childhood. Because of limited money in the household, Don began to work at an early age. One of his first jobs was to feed the animals for Bill Phillips for four dollars a day. Later Dandy worked for Everett Wicker at his service station located on Main Street in Adamsville. It was not uncommon for Don to help pay the family's monthly rent.
He became an outstanding athlete, playing basketball at AHS and Freed Hardeman College (now Freed Hardeman University), which was at that time a two-year college located in Henderson, Tennessee. FHC Basketball Coach Dick Stewart had awarded him with an athletic scholarship, opening the door that would be life-changing. He graduated in 1964 with an Associate Degree. He returned home and began to work at B & B Construction Company.
1965 was an eventful year for Don. He and Jean Lee were married on a Friday night prior to her graduation from Michie High School the following Wednesday. They soon decided to leave McNairy County and grasp a new opportunity for further education at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, through the National Defense Loan which had been enacted a few years earlier. Don was smart to recognize this chance and took full advantage of it.
During their time in Clarksville, he came in contact with Coach Dave Aaron, who became a great friend and mentor. Lisa, their first child, was born and in the spring of 1967, the same year Don Todd graduated from APSU with a bachelor's degree in education.
His first job was at Ringo Elementary School in Montgomery County, Tennessee, and soon thereafter Don had an opportunity to return home to McNairy County, where in the 1968-69 school year at Michie High School, where he would serve as the last basketball coach before the high school's closing.
In 1969 he returned to his alma mater, Adamsville High School, and began teaching American history, which he continued to do for twenty-nine years. His second daughter, Kerri was born during this time in 1970. On his return to AHS he was also assigned the task of resurrecting a dormant high school football program, something he accomplished quite successfully.
Upon reflection, you might ask what connects Coach Todd to so many of the patrons in that small Sunrise Market service station each morning? I am convinced that he has been and is one of the outstanding leaders in our community for the past fifty years and counting.
Why? Think about it. For nearly thirty years of his career he taught almost every student who graduated from AHS because he was the only teacher of American history, a course required for graduation. He incorporated many life principles into his classes and would often use analogies to bring about a clearer understanding for his students.
I have heard him say, "Do your best because you never know who is watching you." His dedication to his students was evident one day in our faculty meeting when he raised the question to his colleagues, "What kind of teacher would you be if your child was a student in your classroom?" Thus, he was a great example to the faculty and furthermore demonstrated that coaches can become great teachers. He was not slack in his teaching to fulfill his coaching duties.
So it was that in the fall of 1969 he had the determination required to revive the AHS football program, a monumental task. For three years Don served as head football coach, then two years as head basketball coach. After that he carried on duties as an assistant under various football coaches for many years. His diligence in this sport paved the way for success in AHS football which continues to the present day.
From the time that I began to teach and coach in 1974 until his retirement, I observed that, though Don held no more official titles as head coach or such, he continued to be a powerful influence, a leader to everyone, young and old alike, and especially among the coaches and teachers on staff. His presence among us was an unspoken inspiration to be our best in leading young people. If social media posts are any indication, he is one of the most remembered and cherished teachers at AHS.
But Dandy Don is even more than that. What I see and hear when I talk to Don on those early morning gatherings is an attitude of appreciation and love for his students and colleagues at AHS. The school has grown significantly through the years, and he is proud of its development. He keeps up with current events and activities there, including, of course, football games. Incidentally, his daughter, Lisa Engle, is currently contributing her own talents there as an exceptionally gifted art teacher.
He told me one day not long ago to share his good wishes to all former students: in his own words, he expresses this--"Great time and thank the students for everything that they have done for me!"
This man, now though greatly limited in his body, is alive and well in his heart and mind. Coach Todd is a continual learner of new things. After his retirement from the McNairy County School System, as a history enthusiast, he worked fourteen years at Shiloh National Battlefield (until 2012 when he retired from the park)--two as an interpreter and guide and twelve as the manager of the book store. He knew Shiloh Park and its history inside and out. He was an educated source on anything concerning the Civil War and especially the Shiloh battle. His love of this place in the history of our nation was evident to all.
Well, Dandy Don, we have been watching you and the study of your life is an example for all of us. You have shown us how a young boy who was born in poverty in an often-depressed county can rise to the level of influence and leadership. You have made a lasting impression on the many who still refer to you as Coach. Although not perfect, you and your lovely wife, Jean, are still showing us how to live well in the twilight of life.
During the past forty-eight years that we have called Adamsville our home, I have been privileged to know many outstanding people in our small town. Don and Jean Todd and their two daughters are among those at the top of that list. No doubt Coach Don Todd has had as much influence on the success of Adamsville High School as any individual during my time as an educator there.
Remember, I believe we are all leaders regardless of our position.
P.S.
This post was almost complete and ready to be published three days hence on Tuesday, August 9--today. Don had been on my mind so much since our visit on Thursday, and now it was early Saturday, August 6. I had prayed for him at about 4:30 this early Saturday morning. At 6:15 a.m. I heard the familiar ding of a text coming in. It was from one of my oldest and best friends, Fred Carroll. We both loved Don so much. He bore the sad news of the passing of our dear friend, Don Todd, at around 5 o'clock this morning. My grief was very poignant and for awhile the day moved on as in a dream.
Some might wish that Don could have read this blog. But let me share with you what transpired on Thursday morning, two days before he died. The picture shown above was taken while I visited with him and Jean in their home that day. He is holding a plaque that he received on April 19, 2018, from Adamsville High School. It was the Greta Bachuss Leadership and Service Award at AHS, such a fitting tribute to a fine man. During our visit Jean received a phone call and stepped into the next room. I was able to communicate to Don much of what I have written here and how much I appreciated him. With tears in his eyes and a quivering voice, he reached out, took my hand and said, "Thank you, and tell your sons how proud I am of them." Little did I know that it would be the last time that I would see him alive. Though I am still grieved and know I would never be ready for him to go, I say--rest in peace, Dandy Don. Congratulations on a life well lived.
Comments
Post a Comment