A year has past since dad fell and broke his hip. He has recovered very well from that but his mind is slipping. He and mom both are now living with us full time. Daddy is pleasent all the time until yesterday actually. He had a moment but it's the first one I have seen.
He looks through his book all the time and that seems to be where he focuses. He is almost blind and is for all purposes deaf. It is so hard to watch him, but as I said he maintains such a positive attitude. He makes me want to be better....
Hope you all are having a great new year
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Friday, March 11, 2011
a Story by Larry
Larry wrote this yesterday March 10, 2011... Dad's last day was not that actual day but it was close. I will look through my journals and find the actual day and post it, but still a beautiful tribute.
Today marks a melancholy event that occurred three years ago when for the first time since Labor Day of 1956 that my dad, Zeke Mullins, wasn’t behind a microphone doing a daily country music show on a local radio station.
Dad was forced to retire from his career as a country deejay by the onset of Alzheimer’s in 2008.
For over 52-years dad’s down to earth, homespun style endeared him to generations of listeners throughout Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky who grew up listening to Zeke on the radio.
Because of dad’s honest approach, family and religious values and dedication to the Country music art form and is knack to share antidotes from his (and his family’s) life that people could relate to his listeners consider him more like one of their family than just a deejay.
Over the years dad received many accolades during his radio career including being named Mr. Deejay USA in 1959 for which he was invited to co-host a special show on WSM Radio with Grant Turner and make a special appearance on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
In 1967 dad received national recognition again when the Country Music Association presented him with the Golden Guitar Award for his efforts to promote Country Music.
Dad was recognized in 1982 by the City of Portsmouth, Scioto County Commissioners and the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce on his 25th Anniversary in broadcasting.
In 1995 he received a Star of Fame on the Portsmouth floodwall and in 1999 he was named Scioto County Citizen of the Year.
In 2003 he was named to the Ohio Senior Citizens’ Hall of Fame.
My dad is a great man that loves his wife and family and Southern Ohio but most of all, my dad was an entertainer.
One of the greatest things about dad was unlike a lot of entertainers and “radio people” that have a public persona dad was real and genuine. The person that you heard on the radio was the same guy at home and in private life.
Growing up dad and I didn’t always see eye to eye on a lot of things and I spent most of my formative years trying to be as different from him as possible. But in the end I know that any redeeming value that I might have I owe to what I learned from him.
He was always quick with a joke or happy to sing an “old timey” country song but most of all he loved being a country deejay.
It’s sad that this damn disease took that away from him.
Now he has good days and bad days and the good days are so precious when you see the old Zeke.
He recently suffered another setback when fell, at the radio station, and broke his hip.
Ever resilient he is back on track and doing pretty good for a guy who turned 89 last September.
He still does a show on Saturday mornings on WNXT 1260-AM but it is taped in advance.
The folks at WNXT have been so good to dad and very supportive and have enabled him to stay active and let him keep doing what he loves to do and for that I’m very thankful.
Every time I hear Tom Petty’s “The Last Deejay” I think of dad because that song is so him!
Today marks a melancholy event that occurred three years ago when for the first time since Labor Day of 1956 that my dad, Zeke Mullins, wasn’t behind a microphone doing a daily country music show on a local radio station.
Dad was forced to retire from his career as a country deejay by the onset of Alzheimer’s in 2008.
For over 52-years dad’s down to earth, homespun style endeared him to generations of listeners throughout Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky who grew up listening to Zeke on the radio.
Because of dad’s honest approach, family and religious values and dedication to the Country music art form and is knack to share antidotes from his (and his family’s) life that people could relate to his listeners consider him more like one of their family than just a deejay.
Over the years dad received many accolades during his radio career including being named Mr. Deejay USA in 1959 for which he was invited to co-host a special show on WSM Radio with Grant Turner and make a special appearance on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
In 1967 dad received national recognition again when the Country Music Association presented him with the Golden Guitar Award for his efforts to promote Country Music.
Dad was recognized in 1982 by the City of Portsmouth, Scioto County Commissioners and the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce on his 25th Anniversary in broadcasting.
In 1995 he received a Star of Fame on the Portsmouth floodwall and in 1999 he was named Scioto County Citizen of the Year.
In 2003 he was named to the Ohio Senior Citizens’ Hall of Fame.
My dad is a great man that loves his wife and family and Southern Ohio but most of all, my dad was an entertainer.
One of the greatest things about dad was unlike a lot of entertainers and “radio people” that have a public persona dad was real and genuine. The person that you heard on the radio was the same guy at home and in private life.
Growing up dad and I didn’t always see eye to eye on a lot of things and I spent most of my formative years trying to be as different from him as possible. But in the end I know that any redeeming value that I might have I owe to what I learned from him.
He was always quick with a joke or happy to sing an “old timey” country song but most of all he loved being a country deejay.
It’s sad that this damn disease took that away from him.
Now he has good days and bad days and the good days are so precious when you see the old Zeke.
He recently suffered another setback when fell, at the radio station, and broke his hip.
Ever resilient he is back on track and doing pretty good for a guy who turned 89 last September.
He still does a show on Saturday mornings on WNXT 1260-AM but it is taped in advance.
The folks at WNXT have been so good to dad and very supportive and have enabled him to stay active and let him keep doing what he loves to do and for that I’m very thankful.
Every time I hear Tom Petty’s “The Last Deejay” I think of dad because that song is so him!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Update
Well Dad is doing really well, he is still having trouble with confusion but we at least got to bring him out of the hospital yesterday. He is not out of the woods. He has a long recovery process and he needs rest and time to recover. He will have a nurse and therapy still three times a week and Poor Mom is exhausted but happy to be done with the hospital.
Dad got excellent care and everyone was great to him!! He had so many cards and calls, and he appreciates it all. Sadly he doesn't remember it a few minutes later but is very happy when he looks through all of them again as if it were the first time he saw them.
The disease he has is a terrible one and many folks have been down this road before us and know how hard it is to see your loved one disappear right in front of you.
He maintained his since of humor through this entire ordeal and is a very strong person.
Thank You again to all of you for your well wishes and we continue to pass them along to him. Even if he can't remember it ten minutes later it pleases him when he hears it and he is very grateful to you all.
God Bless...
Dad got excellent care and everyone was great to him!! He had so many cards and calls, and he appreciates it all. Sadly he doesn't remember it a few minutes later but is very happy when he looks through all of them again as if it were the first time he saw them.
The disease he has is a terrible one and many folks have been down this road before us and know how hard it is to see your loved one disappear right in front of you.
He maintained his since of humor through this entire ordeal and is a very strong person.
Thank You again to all of you for your well wishes and we continue to pass them along to him. Even if he can't remember it ten minutes later it pleases him when he hears it and he is very grateful to you all.
God Bless...
Monday, January 24, 2011
Recovery
Dad is doing very well with his recovery. He is up walking and really does not appear to be in a lot of pain. We are all getting to spend some special time with him and he told us joking yesterday that he had to do something to spend more time with us kids. His since of humor remains in tact.
He is confused most of the time which I am told is typical for those who suffer from Alzheimer's and are taken out of their comfort zone. He has had some rough nights but he bounces back through out the day. Today he begins the very hard work of rehab. I will let you all know how he holds up.
Thanks for your continued prayers and cards of encouragement.
If you want to send him a card you can mail it to
Zeke Mullins p.o. box 2035 Portsmouth, Ohio 45662.
He enjoys reading them and we are hanging them all over his room.
He is confused most of the time which I am told is typical for those who suffer from Alzheimer's and are taken out of their comfort zone. He has had some rough nights but he bounces back through out the day. Today he begins the very hard work of rehab. I will let you all know how he holds up.
Thanks for your continued prayers and cards of encouragement.
If you want to send him a card you can mail it to
Zeke Mullins p.o. box 2035 Portsmouth, Ohio 45662.
He enjoys reading them and we are hanging them all over his room.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Bad News
Zeke was working Wednesday January 19 at WNXT Radio. He was on the 4th floor of the Masonic Temple Building when he fell, breaking his right hip. The break was at the neck of his femor and the only option was to do a complete hip replacement or be bed ridden the rest of his life. So on Thursday January 20 Zeke under went hip replacement surgery at the age of 89.
He has a long road and a lot of hard work to do but his family and Zeke are confident of his recovery.
Thank You to all of you who have offered your prayers,kind words and support. On behalf of Dad (Zeke) and the entire family we appreciate it very much.
We will keep you updated from time to time on his condition.
Thanks to all and God Bless.
He has a long road and a lot of hard work to do but his family and Zeke are confident of his recovery.
Thank You to all of you who have offered your prayers,kind words and support. On behalf of Dad (Zeke) and the entire family we appreciate it very much.
We will keep you updated from time to time on his condition.
Thanks to all and God Bless.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Zeke's Brother
Dad's Big Brother Clarence died this morning at about 4 am. He was a great man. He taught Dad how to play a guitar and mentored my dad in many ways. Dad is the last of his siblings left and these next few days will be difficult for him. Please keep him in your prayers as well as my Uncle Clarence's family.
This picture was taken in December 2005. It was the first time that Ebbie met her Great Uncle Clarence. Dad was very happy to introduce his youngest grandchild to his big brother.
This picture was taken in December 2005. It was the first time that Ebbie met her Great Uncle Clarence. Dad was very happy to introduce his youngest grandchild to his big brother.
Friday, October 1, 2010
September's Gone
Well September has come and gone and Zeke (daddy) celebrated his 89th birthday. My sister Judy and her handsome boyfriend Charlie set up a get together for Zeke's birthday. The family was together to celebrate Dad's 89th. All five of the Mullins kids and families were there and many grandchildren and great grandchildren, niece's, nephews and great niece's and nephews were there. The day was beautiful and the visit was nice. The only dark spot on the entire day was that Zeke's 98 year old brother who had planned on attending was in the hospital with pneumonia. Clarence (Zeke's brother) had made it a goal to attend the party but unfortunately he was not well enough to make it. Zeke did get to spend time with Clarence before the party and had a wonderful visit. Clarence is now gravely ill and the family needs your prayers..... I will share pictures of the day with you and say a great big thanks to all family members who made it a very special day for Zeke (Daddy)...
Also Zeke's oldest boy shared a new song he had just written and I can't wait until he is ready to share it it with everyone. A beautiful song.....
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