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.....
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Visiting Zeke's parents graves
Spent all day with Mom and Dad as we visited their parents grave sites. It is always nice when I get to spend with Dad and Mom especially when they tell me a story I have never heard before. Yesterday was one of those occasions. Mom said when Dad and her first got married they lived on Jackson street and she said she was doing dishes and told dad she didn't have any way of draining the dishes. So the next thing she new dad was out back breaking boards and hammering. She said he came back in with this awful thing he had built out of broken boards. It was for her to use to drain her dishes. Dad laughed and said I remember that. He said I didn't have a saw or anything so I just took my foot and broke some boards and nailed them together. Mom said Mrs. Mullins (grandma) came in and said EARCEL I wouldn't tell anyone I made that horrible thing. lol... a great day...
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Thanksgiving with the family
Daddy had a great day on Saturday with all of us. Scot and Judy couldn't be there but a lot of us were. Larry hosted us at his house and everything was great.
Here are some pictures. Great time was had by all!
Zeke and Doris
Larry and Daddy
Me,Ebbie and Daddy
Daddy always has a great time when the family is together. He misses doing his radio show on a full time basis and misses his listeners too.
Everywhere I go people ask how he is and tell me how much they miss him. Let me tell you he misses you too. He is and always will be a people person.
Hope all had a great thanksgiving.
Here are some pictures. Great time was had by all!
Zeke and Doris
Larry and Daddy
Me,Ebbie and Daddy
Daddy always has a great time when the family is together. He misses doing his radio show on a full time basis and misses his listeners too.
Everywhere I go people ask how he is and tell me how much they miss him. Let me tell you he misses you too. He is and always will be a people person.
Hope all had a great thanksgiving.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Update!
I went to vist with Mom and Dad the other day and Dad was back to his old self. He was having a lot of fun playing with Ebbie. They lost their cable after the storm and they didn't have water for a few days but all is back to noraml now. I am looking forward to them moving closer to us. I am also looking forward to Thanksgiving with the family this year.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Zeke's 88th Birthday
We celebrated Zeke's birthday on Sunday September 13th this year. He turned 88 on Monday. Doris had a cook out for Zeke and the kids. All five children made it and a good time was had by all. Here are some pictures and clips from the party. The cake was inspired by a record that Zeke made in the 60's about the Beatles invading the US. He had a daughter Judy who was a teenager when the invasion hit so he penned a song entitled "Beatle Fan" off the Timber label in 1964. The flip side was "Worried Man". 
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Zeke's Visit
Well Dad and I and Ebbie went to the Adult Day Care on Thursday to visit with some
of the Alzheimer's patients. We stayed for a couple of ours. It was tough going
at first but once we got Dad started he was Zeke again. He told jokes and stories
and then he even got John Simon's guitar out and played some music. Ebbie enjoyed
spending the day with her papa. She sang and told stories too. It was nice being
able to spend some time with tow of my favorite people.
of the Alzheimer's patients. We stayed for a couple of ours. It was tough going
at first but once we got Dad started he was Zeke again. He told jokes and stories
and then he even got John Simon's guitar out and played some music. Ebbie enjoyed
spending the day with her papa. She sang and told stories too. It was nice being
able to spend some time with tow of my favorite people.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Just a note
Hey everyone! I want to thank all of you who have signed up for updates on Dad.
I was out to see him and Mom the other day and they are getting along as well as can be expected for folks their age.
One of the greatest gifts my Daddy has always had other than being able to make everyone in the room feel like family was his great ability to tell a story. As a small girl I couldn't wait for Dad to come in with one of his crazy, silly, side splitting stories. He could make one up on the fly and captivate us it in just a few seconds.
That is one of the things that this horrible disease has taken from him. His story telling abilities. I have told our little girl many times about Papaw telling me stories and how all the grand kids just loved to hear them. She will never know that part of my Dad. That is something that breaks my heart.
I don't know if some of you reading this can remember but I had a party at my house when I was around 11 or 12 and it was close to Halloween time. Dad took us all outside of the house and walked us up the hollow and was telling us some story about the legend of the people who had lived in the house before us. He sucked us all in. We walked way out behind the house and he told us that at about this time of the night on this very night is when those that had been were again. Well about that time things started moving on the hill and we all screamed and started running back toward the house and my two brothers came flying off the hill. Scared us to death. Dad had planned and executed a great trick for all of us and it worked like a charm. We laughed and laughed about that.
I hope you enjoyed this walk down memory lane.
I was out to see him and Mom the other day and they are getting along as well as can be expected for folks their age.
One of the greatest gifts my Daddy has always had other than being able to make everyone in the room feel like family was his great ability to tell a story. As a small girl I couldn't wait for Dad to come in with one of his crazy, silly, side splitting stories. He could make one up on the fly and captivate us it in just a few seconds.
That is one of the things that this horrible disease has taken from him. His story telling abilities. I have told our little girl many times about Papaw telling me stories and how all the grand kids just loved to hear them. She will never know that part of my Dad. That is something that breaks my heart.
I don't know if some of you reading this can remember but I had a party at my house when I was around 11 or 12 and it was close to Halloween time. Dad took us all outside of the house and walked us up the hollow and was telling us some story about the legend of the people who had lived in the house before us. He sucked us all in. We walked way out behind the house and he told us that at about this time of the night on this very night is when those that had been were again. Well about that time things started moving on the hill and we all screamed and started running back toward the house and my two brothers came flying off the hill. Scared us to death. Dad had planned and executed a great trick for all of us and it worked like a charm. We laughed and laughed about that.
I hope you enjoyed this walk down memory lane.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The Beginning
This is the first post on the Zeke Mullins Fan Blog Page.
We hope to build a fan page for a man who has been a local legend for sometime and is now battling Alzheimer's. Zeke has many stories to share and we hope to do this here on this blog page.
Stay Tuned
We hope to build a fan page for a man who has been a local legend for sometime and is now battling Alzheimer's. Zeke has many stories to share and we hope to do this here on this blog page.
Stay Tuned
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