Those of you that read this regular series know that I am from Hackett, Arkansas, just a mile or so from the Oklahoma border, and just about 10 miles south of the Arkansas River. It was a rural sort of place that did not particularly appreciate education, and just zoom onto my previous posts to understand a bit about it.
Please do not get me wrong. Dad was a sharp guy. He did not have any college, but that was because of circumstances. Besides, in 1939, when he was graduated from high school there were lots of really good jobs that could support families well. He did make it a personal goal to be graduated on time, and he was.
Dad got his higher education from being a keen observer of human nature and also being able to do just about anything. He was a jeweler, a welder, a gunsmith, an excellent shot with pistols, rifles, and particularly with shotguns, along with many other skills.
His understanding of human nature is what made him such an outstanding salesman. He knew how to connect with what made people tick, and used those observations to sell things, whether it was selling gum to Sam Walton, working in sales for a major OEM and aftermarket automotive supplier, or buying and selling cars and firearms from and to individuals.