Robert Turner aka “Brownie” was a fellow who lived in Dargan back in the day when I was a young lad growing up in that tiny village.
He made his way around to the different houses in that little town, and worked on many cars and tractors because of his mechanical knowledge of motorized vehicles, tractors and other farm equipment with mechanical problems.
Turner had a dark complexion and receding curly hair and balding head thus the name Brownie; his dress was normally unkempt; his physical appearance usually found his clothes filled with dirt stains and his hands and arms often covered with grease and oil associated with the many vehicles and farm equipment he worked on.
Brownie lived in an old house up the road from my Grandparents just across the street from Tom Giffin’s home and family.
I was in my teenage years when I began to talk and visit with Brownie as he worked on some of his many projects in Dargan.
He, for sure, was a likeable fellow and friend to many.
Brownie was a friendly person who got along with just about everyone, and especially those folk who had problems with their cars and farming equipment.
I can remember one day when my grandfather on my dad’s side had some trouble with his tractor. He became very frustrated with its malfunction and tried to determine and repair the problem himself; the broken tractor actually brought him to tears.
He became somewhat upset in his failure to get the tractor running, and yelled for me to go find Brownie Turner.
I went up the road looking for Brownie, found him, and he went to my grandfather’s farm and repaired the broken tractor.
He was a very good mechanic and I often watched him work on cars, tractors and more. I learned a few things from his mechanical knowledge and lessons, but never did become an expert.
I watched him work under the hood of many vehicles, change tires, set timing chains, replace batteries, radiators, carburetors, thermostats and other various challenging projects.
He spent more than a few hours showing me the operation of some of these parts. He also kept the farm equipment in good operating condition on those farms in our tiny village.
Brownie was always available to help a friend in need but too often had a tendency to drink that magic elixir from a mason jar.
Brownie was always a good friend to me and I really thought him to be a very smart man; and as far as mechanics go, he was very good at his trade and was sought out by many people who lived in our little village.
He would often be called to help when a vehicle was broken down and in need of repairs. If the person had little money, Brownie would usually accept a “thank you” and be on his way. He would help my dad and others out on many occasions.
In 1966, I enlisted in the U.S. Army and left Dargan for parts unknown. Before leaving, I bid Brownie a farewell and extended my thanks to him for being a friend, and trying to teach me a little bit about mechanics and working on vehicles.
I wasn’t, for certain, his best student, but I did enjoy our conversations and friendship over the years, and he tolerated me along the way.
I felt a little sorry that he had the occasion to seek out that mason jar now and then while making his rounds and doing his repairs in our community.
Brownie bid me farewell, and told me he would see me upon my return home on leave. In 1967, I rec’d my orders for Vietnam, came home and saw him for the last time.
While I was in Vietnam in 1968, my grandmother Gen, wrote me and told me that Brownie Turner was found dead along the “back road” of Dargan just above the boat ramp.
Several moments of sadness and disbelief followed that news of Brownie’s death: I was sorry to hear about his passing but thankful that I had the occasion to know him while growing up in the woods of Dargan.
Thinking of you this very day Brownie, and “thank you” for those memories.
See you later old friend! RIP
