…And a Better Man.
The Marlboro Man Prequel
Jack Norman Evertz (March 8, 1927 – July 27, 2009)
The words “They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore” come to mind when I think about my gramps. Part redneck, part roughneck and all man in an increasingly domesticated man’s world, Grampa Jack was quick with opinions and head-shaking dismay despite his lack of a high school diploma to back him up. Common sense ruled — in the shop, around the card table, on the porch and anywhere else he chose to plant his Size 12 Tony Lama boots. A simple wisdom left permanent marks, like these gems:
Grampa Jack on Stress:
“I just never could understand why you and your dad always worried to high hell about everything. More than half the time, it never turns out that way and the rest of the time it’s not nearly as bad as you think. And if it is ever that bad you’re too damn worn out from worrying to do anything about it.”
Grampa Jack on Women:
“Nothing’s harder on a man than an angry woman.”
Grampa Jack on Manhood:
“The world doesn’t owe you anything and it will knock you on your ass every chance it gets. Your job is to keep gettin’ up.” His favorite movie was Cool Hand Luke if that tells you anything.
He laughed at the pussification of the American male and would routinely harken back to his Golden Era of the’50s and ’60s where smokin’, drinkin’ and raisin’ hell were a man’s God-given right – and anybody who said otherwise could go straight to hell.
Some of that tenacity and toughness no doubt makes you strong on the battlefield or in the bar room, but I had the hardest time convincing Grampa Jack that his Advanced Coursework in Manhood for his only grandson was losing the battle in the boardroom. “There’s ego, politics, turf wars, and hurt feelings that come into play. You have to be nice,” I told him.
“What the hell does nice have to do with business?” he asked. “And, did you say hurt feelings?”
Never did give him any good answers on why brains had rapidly replaced balls for dominance in the American West, except to throw another cliche at him that got him to come around half way. “You get more bees with honey, Grampa.”
Well, with him cashing in his chips at the end of July to spend the rest of eternity with my Gramma Grace (a tough cookie in her own right), here are 5 things Grampa Jack taught me that make me a better man and a better marketer.
1. If you don’t mean it, don’t say it.
2. Shut up. You just might learn something. (Still working on this one)
3. If you make a mistake, own up to it. Then work like hell to fix it.
4. If you believe in what you’re doing, don’t back down.
5. A man is only as good as his word.
T-5. Outwork your co-workers. Outsmart your enemies.
R.I.P. Gramps. You were a helluva lot smarter than you gave yourself credit for.
Tags: B2B Marketing, cause-based marketing, celebrity deaths, Cool Hand Luke, economic downturn, green business marketing, Johnny Cash, Marketing tips, sales & marketing, unemployment
Hey Ev, So sorry to hear about your Gramps! Our Grandparents are so awesome…such a wealth of knowledge….and it seems as though yours were close to perfect! I will print out the 5 things your Grampa Jack taught you and put it on my desk. I believe that aside from the 10 commandments, they are a perfect way to lead our lives. Thanks for sharing! My thoughts are with you in your job search. How lucky you are that you get to spend special time with your sweet little boy and wife…A job will come in time, but this time now is precious! ENJOY!!
haa haa…As my gramps would say, thank you darlin’. And you are so right. In a pretty great place right now and may have news this or next week. Stay tuned. Thanks again.
Mark, aka ev
Gorgeously done, ME. Truer words are hardly spoken, which I’m sure he would have appreciated.
Well done my friend. I would have liked to party your gramps. Love Cool Hand Luke, too.
Wow…thanks Jen. And you couldn’t be more right. Thanks for reading.
And Hey Troy!…thanks and you know what, the two of you would’ve cracked each other up around the pool table over many beers. Thanks for reading! Mark
Well written, Mark. Grandparents have so much wisdom. Your Grandfather was definitely one of them. You have some wonderful memories and you’ll always cherish them I’m sure. My Grandfather was a very quiet man, but when he spoke it seemed like it was always a gem of intelligence. My Grandmother was much the same way. They both lived to be in their 90’s. I feel very lucky to have had them around that many years. I have always felt that you should be born old with all that wisdom and experience and then grow young. That way you wouldn’t waste any of your youth. I think that could make for a better world in a lot of ways. Kind of a crazy way to look at things, but a thought.
Hey Pat…thanks for your kind words. I think the era was built by quiet men, in the sense that they didn’t waste time with small talk, unless of course it was to tell a joke or to try to get someone out on a line of b.s. to laugh at later. I think the author of Benjamin Button would agree with you on aging in reverse. I think about that often. It reminds me of the line from the song from The Byrds…”I was so much older then, but I’m younger than that now.” I’m sure my gramps had that moment of clarity at the end that had him saying something like…”You’ve gotta be bullshittin’ me. That’s what it was all about?”
I’m a listener, now and I don’t give a shit who gets butt hurt anymore. The words of gramps ring true to me in many ways. Other than stealing Amy, I’ve always admired you Mark and no doubt the story of why is in heaven, brother! Love you! Your crazy ass mutha fricker friend Shawn-
Love you to, my brutha. And for those of you curious…Shawn’s talking about a girl we fought over in the 5th grade, not my wife, who also happens to be named Amy. Just thought I should clear that up. Hey…still have the chip in my tooth as a reminder of what happens when you put a girl before a friend. Turns out she dumped us both…something about, oh, I don’t know, about being something like 10 years old. Thanks for reading Shawn! ev