Goodbye Garo

I just discovered that Garo Yepremian died two months ago (May 15 to be exact). Garo was one of my childhood heroes an oddball character who rode in on a donkey, saved the day, and rode out on the same donkey. He existed in a parallel universe where his specialized skills were invaluable, but had no penumbra.

When I was a kid, I wanted to be like Garo. Our first names were similar – check. I was an sort of an oddball – check. I was left-footed – check. But that was about it. Garo was 5’5” – the height that I had attained by 7th grade. Garo could kick… I couldn’t. But he was my hero.

I had the Garo Yepremian field goal kit… it was these PVC uprights and this black plastic thing that was, essentially, the opposite of an hourglass. I spent hours trying to kick that goddamn thing through the uprights… with virtually no success.

When I was 18 and working at a Radio Shack for a summer job, I met Garo. He knew the store manager, I don’t know why, and one day he came in to buy this or that. I was floored – a childhood hero there, right in front of me. It was weird that I towered over him – by a full 9 inches… but there he was, with me looking down at him.

My childhood heroes were all probably between 15 and 35 years older than me. That means that they’re between 72 and 92 now… and they have been, and will continue to be, getting to the end of their lives. Kinda sad, but one of the key facts of life.

But in any case, Garo, enjoy the next phase, whatever it brings. You kicked your way into the hearts and minds of a lot of folks, me included. Keep smiling.