The One with Roy Rogers Rides Tonight

To the world he was Jeff. To us he was our Bebo, our JBob. 

I immediately started writing this after he died but struggled to finish it. Even after a week in Colorado with family, where we had one last cheers on his dime, I couldn’t finish this. Maybe the finalization of this makes his death all the more final too. Either way, here’s “The One with Roy Rogers Rides Tonight”.

“And there's not many knew him the way that we did. Sure enough he was a wild one.” 

Many years ago my dad befriended a man named Jeffrey Todd Adams. Jeff invited my dad into his family and my dad quickly became one of the gang. 

“If we're all going somewhere let's get there soon.”

The gang wasted no time initiating my dad as one of their own and immediately took to living life and making memories. Although from all the stories, I’m not sure how any of them lived to tell the tales. All my life I have listened to gang legends. Stories of times when beds were caught on fire, jeeps took spills down mountains, young bodies were held out the backs of moving vehicles, tea was sipped from pickle jars, and popo-rotties, body slams, and doits were given. 

“If anyone can cry then so can I… If the Phoenix bird can fly then so can I.”

Jeff and my dad remained close friends even after my dad moved away. Together or apart, there was always space for reminiscing. Their friendship, albeit long distance, taught me a lot about how to be a good friend.

“Your candle burned out long before your legend ever did.”

Many of us have Jeff to thank for how our lives turned out. Some of us have him to thank for life itself because he introduced our parents to each other. Some of us have him to thank for making us one of the family. And me, I have him to thank for my Best Favorite. And to think it’s all because he loved brining people together- even if just for lunch at the Blue Bonnet or the Elephant Bar. 

“Oh, I've finally decided my future lies

Beyond the yellow brick road… 

It'll take you a couple of vodka and tonics

To set you on your feet again.”

On the drive home from Colorado, as we passed through the infamous Hays, a beautiful and vibrant rainbow appeared. That rainbow was, no doubt, Jeff inviting us to see him beyond the yellow brick road with the promise that we will get back on our feet again. 

Feeling the love and grief that only those that knew Jeff can really share, let’s get a belly full of beer and take ourselves along.

Here’s to Jeff, Bebo, JBob. 

“Turn on the TV, shut out the lights

Roy Rogers is riding tonight.”

Until we ride together again.