Brothers

Virgil and Bobby.

Bobby’s and Virgil’s (Uncle Bobby and Dad to me) mother died when Virgil was born, and Uncle Bobby was two years old. They grew up mostly on horseback, during the ‘20’s and ‘30’s. Their father died in 1940, when they were 25 and 23.  A family ranch was divided between them. Their ranch houses were just a few miles apart.

 Uncle Bobby was the disciplined, proper one, always the big brother. Everything had its proper place, including some of Virgil’s tools which Bobby kept at his place because Virgil would misplace them.

Uncle Bobby and Aunt Alice moved to the ranch when their youngest child graduated from high school and remained there until age and health dictated they return to Del Rio. My cousin Jim gave me this account—Uncle Bobby was intent on riding horseback in the pasture unaccompanied. Aunt Alice said, “Bobby, how do I find you if you fall?” He said, “Look for the buzzards, Alice.”

 Virgil was playful, carefree, spontaneous. My cousin Bill played football at Texas A&M and brought members of the Aggie football team to the ranch to hunt after Thanksgiving. Texas won the Turkey Day games during those years. Dad would post signs in the pasture of the game score.

 One time, Dad turned on a lawn sprinkler in the bedroom in Uncle Bobby’s house where the Aggies were sleeping. Dad would wrestle the Aggies. They said he was the toughest old man they had ever seen. They loved Uncle Virgil.

 So many blessings flowed to our families because Bobby and Virgil remained close throughout their lives. Uncle Bobby’s children, Bill, Jim and Junior, are like brother and sister to Bob, Candace and me, retaining that closeness through all these years.

I’m sure Bobby and Virgil had their differences, but I can honestly say I have never known of one. I never heard Virgil say one critical word about Bobby.

 Dad developed Alzheimer’s near the end of his life. Uncle Bobby was in the hospital, and he had Jim bring Dad out to the hospital. When Dad came into the room, Uncle Bobby said—“Virgil, your boys sold your car.” Dad said, “They did! They did! Well, I’ll buy another one.” Uncle Bobby said, “You can’t. They took your checkbook away from you. Now, Jim, you can take him home.”

 Always the big brother! What a wonderful big brother he was to Virgil, always! According to Jim, by the time Jim returned Virgil home, Virgil had forgotten he had gone to see Bobby.