Wednesday, December 29, 2021
I met Smokey when I began playing softball in Morgantown. I quickly learned that Smokey was many things: a superior athlete, an entertainer, a friend. He also possessed the ability to combine all of these characteristics into his own persona. I will always remember one night he did just that. We were playing a friendly game of pick-up basketball in the old Sabraton Jr. High gym. Smokey was filling up the basket, as usual, and the other team was becoming frustrated with how easy he was making it look. One particular trip down court, the player guarding Smokey said to him, as he was about to cross half-court, "You make it from there and I'll kiss your @$$." No sooner had he said it, Smokey jumped up and let the ball fly. Then Smokey hit the floor, spun around, and pulled his gym shorts down. The next sound we all heard was SWISH, followed by the loudest roar of laughter that gym had heard in a long time. As I said, Smokey, our friend, often brought joy to us in the middle of athletic events while excelling with his lauded abilities. Rest easy, my friend ,and may God bless your family in this time of loss.
--Dave Dubbe´
