BEHIND THE MIKE

Every community has a handful of them. They are the pillars that keep a community strong. They are the backbone of a community’s character.

No matter where you grew up, you probably knew a pillar or two in your community. One hot day earlier this summer, I got a call from a voice from the past, an attorney by the name of Albert J. “A.J.” Dooley Sr. He is from my home town of Lexington and is one of those pillars.

Though he never sought the limelight of notoriety, it came his way simply because he gave so much of himself. Now 88 years of age, it did not take much imagination for me to identify his voice over the phone.

It was the same distinctive voice that called play-by-play at Lexington High School football games as I roamed the sidelines as Sports Editor of the Lexington Dispatch-News or as I was doing play-by-play for the radio broadcasts.

It was the same voice that represented the town of Lexington in the SC House of Representatives for eight years… the same voice that carried on his service in the Senate for another six years.

It was the same voice that spoke up as a member of the Lexington County School District Board… the same voice that served on the Board of Directors of Lexington State Bank, Southern National Bank and BB&T.

It was the same voice that served his community in the Lexington Chamber of Commerce and the Lexington Lions Club for decades while building and sustaining a successful law practice that carries on today.

No… he never sought notoriety, but it came his way, despite his humility and integrity. Governor James B. Edwards accorded him the highest honor of the State of South Carolina, The Order of the Palmetto.

And while his half century of service to others will long be remembered, my fondest recollections were hearing both his and fellow announcer Frank Register’s voices calling Wildcat football games.

I have known A. J. all of my life. My uncles Arthur and Eli Mack sponsored a Pee Wee baseball team in the 50s. I played on that team until I was too old to participate. Then I became the coach of the Mack’s Meatheads, where I had the pleasure of working with A. J.’s kids.

Those were some of the fondest memories in my life. Especially unforgettable was his late wife Connie, who unofficially served as our team mom. That was over a half century ago and yet I remember her and her family like it was last week.

It was the little things with Connie. She was a terrific baker and always brought the team her latest batch of cookies. Of course, her mom “Mrs. Spoon” was always there to cheer the “Meatheads” on.

Despite all of A. J.’s remarkable achievements over the years, I remember most those things he was never paid to do, his service to his community and devotion to his family.

A. J. lost his bride Connie after 55 wonderful years of marriage. She was an avid Atlanta Braves fan who rarely missed a broadcast. A. J., as I recall was a creature of habit. For instance, he told me decades ago about how he would never go to sleep without catching the evening news at 11 p.m.

Whether it was his trademark short sleeved shirts or his booming voice, his presence was always appreciated. A. J. and Connie met while working part time in a grocery store and married in 1951. The couple had five children and a foster child which was just one more way A.J. gave back to others.

It is always a pleasant surprise when a voice from the past reenters your life.

Michael Aun CSP, CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame, is the author of “Have I Gotta Beg to Buy?”