It was the first day of the first grade at Burnet Elementary School. My family had recently moved from Austin to Odessa and things looked strange to me. Where were the trees, the lakes, the river? And I didn't know anyone.

After I sat down at my desk, I noticed this little guy with dark hair across from me. This friendly face -- was it an angel? As I looked toward him, he gave me a big grin and said, "Hi. I'm Wesley." That began a friendship with Wesley Hardin that lasted for 48 years.

After graduating from Permian High School, Wesley, David Price and I were roommates in an apartment at the University of Texas. These were busy and exciting times. David was on the UT golf team, winning national championships with Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw. Wesley and I had part-time jobs and all three of us were going to class, studying, partying, dating and doing all the other things you do in college. Somehow though, Wesley had it together better than anyone I knew because of his relentless pursuit of his dreams. I remember telling my dad on the phone that Wesley was going to be a huge success in life because he had so much perseverance and determination.

            One Monday morning, my alarm clock went off at 5:45 am. I had a lab at 7:30, then two classes, then I had to go to work. I was tired, hungover and didn’t know if I could make it. I heard noise in the kitchen and walked that direction in my underwear. And there was Wesley Hardin – shaved, showered and dressed for work. He’d made biscuits, bacon, coffee and was scrambling eggs. I just stared at him a minute. He looked at me with that big old grin and said, “We’re gonna have a BIG breakfast today.” And we did.

            Oh, Wesley was a much better friend to me than I was to him on many occasions. He was emotionally strong and looked past the shortcomings of his friends, concentrating on their strengths. He and I both loved to listen to blues music and we shared our favorite songs as well as our love for our alma mater, the University of Texas.

            Usually when you talk about someone who is driven, ambitious, successful, etc., you’re talking about someone who stepped on whomever he needed to get to the top. But Wesley was just the opposite. He treated everyone with kindness and respect. He didn’t care if you were the governor of Texas or the shoeshine man in the barber shop. He’d smile, ask about your family, your work, your golf game or whatever. He really listened and took time to visit with you. And he had an upbeat attitude and a great sense of humor. Often, when mothers had trouble getting their kids to take their medicine, they’d go back to University Pharmacy and Wesley would talk with them, impress them and, somehow, get them to take the medicine like their mom asked. What a wonderful person to know. What a great example for those of us who knew him.

            He was a successful businessman, a great golfer and hunter, outstanding gardener and tireless volunteer for wonderful causes in his hometown, including his church and Odessa College. He was a great father, son, husband and brother to his family and a great, great friend to all of us who knew him.

            I thank the Lord that I knew this great man and witnessed his great example. And, yes, I know now that it was an angel who sat down next to me that day in the first grade. We’re all going to miss you, buddy.               

Gary Millhollon
            Albuquerque, NM

Taken from a letter to the Odessa American