So every family has one. Well at least the good ones have one. That one uncle that just does things a little differently. He will tease and torment until kids cry. But that same guy will also take you on grand adventures where you learn all sorts of new things. In our family that was Big Saint and if you met him, you remembered him. He passed away this weekend. He may be gone but he will be remembered. So this is how I remember him.

So in the 80’s for me visiting family usually meant a trip to Emporia and seeing Big Saint. First memories of him are of him being a giant man. He would barge into the kitchen and eat entire cinnamon rolls raw right out of the pan. Same with biscuits, rolls or any other raw dough. Anything within reach was fair game. It was allowed because no one was going to stop him anyways. He would tease and torment everyone. Kid or adult, no one was off limits. His favorite game though was “Hot Pepper Cheese.” Wasn’t much of a game really. Just him chasing whatever kid was close through the house yelling “I’m going to make you eat the hot pepper cheese!” While laughing hysterically. I don’t remember anyone eating the hot pepper cheese, but the threat was real.

There was always a Big Saint story. Might be a deal that he found. Or as he said “an opportunity.” Or it could be just something that only he would get himself into. One story had him eating an entire bag of dog treats he thought was beef jerky. He said it wasn’t very good but ate it anyway. Now this could be 100% true. Or when it was suspected that he ate dog treats and he saw the ensuing shock and dismay, he just let it all play out for fun. He loved getting people worked up. It was his favorite thing.

He was always on the move and this made things fun. Fire truck goes by? Everyone jump in the car let’s go see what on fire! Everyone would pile in the station wagon and he would peel out. It was the 80’s so we all didn’t have to “buckle up” before he had the station wagon tearing down the street. That would have wasted valuable time.

Speaking of that station wagon, he used it to pick up the railroaders that stayed at his hotel he owned for a time. Sometimes my cousin and I would ride along. One time it was just me and Big Saint. Seven years old cruising around with my uncle and a station wagon full of railroaders. It was awesome.

“This is Cole, my sister’s boy.” He told them. That’s how he always introduced me. They all shook my hand and joked around with me. They made a stop at the liquor store for lots of beer and soon we arrived at the hotel. When we pulled in, I noticed that there seemed to be a party already going on and several women were waiting on the guys in the car with me. “Railroaders keep their wives at hotels? I asked. Then those guys laughed and laughed and one spilled his beer. Big Saint just said “I’d better get you home before your mom kills me.”

He always had a deal working or a business he was starting up. Steak house, Dairy Queen, pizza, gas station, a driving range, a hotel or World famous BBQ. And those were just a few of them. He loved finding a good deal. I think he liked selling things even more. He would start it up, get it rolling and then sell it off. Then start looking for the next one.

But he had another side as well. He would tease my mom and aunt unmercifully. But when my mom and aunt were being picked on by a neighbor kid he threatened to throw that kid’s pants up in a tree and make him walk home naked if he picked on them again.

The same guy that was always going and blowing 90 mph looking for the next deal, got teary eyed when my Grandpa on the other side of the family passed away. They weren’t related but sometimes family is more then just blood.

But maybe the one that sums him up the best, at least for me, happened on a family trip to Las Vegas. He was watching me play black Jack, and offering free advice. When the waitress headed our way he leaned down and says “ask her to bring you some cigarettes.” Confused I responded “you don’t smoke do you? You quit years ago.” “It’s fine just do it.” He said. So I did. She brought back three packs and he instructed me take them all. I pocketed them and we soon left. When we walked outside I asked what I was supposed to do with them. He took a pack, looked around and yells “Hey pal, catch.” And tossed them to a homeless man on a bench. And from the man’s reaction it made his day. “Those casinos have plenty of money. Always good to help out the underdog.” As he laughed that goofy laugh of his. Apparently it made Big Saint’s day as well.

Big Saint was well, big. He wasn’t “extra” or “excessive” He just did things in a big way. Live big, eat big, tease big, laugh big. But also be kind to others and do it in a big way even if it is a bit unorthodox.