By Carolyn Cary

My hero and mentor died this past Sunday, Franklin Garrett.

I owe him much.

When the Fayette County Historical Society was formed in 1972, we had him come to speak to us and that's when I learned he disliked freeways. He took every back road known to get here, but he arrived happy.

He spoke to us for 45 minutes, hardly stopping to draw a breath, and relating what seemed to be thousands of historic facts. I sat in awe.

Twenty eight years later I am able to do the same thing, but realizing the time and effort it has taken to accomplish that has made me admire him even that much more.

In 1977 the society published “The History of Fayette County,” and I realized it would add great validity to the tome if “the” Franklin Garrett wrote the “Forword.” He was most gracious to do so, but in my haste to get the completed work to the printers, I spelled the word as “Forward.” Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is to have a noted historian gently point out to you that you goofed?

My children and I entertained him at our home for dinner one evening in 1972 and my daughter was about four years old. He went to the restroom to wash his hands and as he approached the kitchen, my daughter looked up at him and asked, “Did you go potty”? Another embarrasing moment?

You betcha.

I attended a seminar at Oakland Cemetery several years ago and climbing some stairs I heard him behind me. Now, if you've ever heard Franklin Garrett speak, the tenor of his voice registers in your mind forever. It was deep and resounding and unmistakable. Without turning around I called out, “It must be Franklin.” He replied, “Yes, someone once told me that I should never try to rob a bank, as everyone would know who it was.” Well said.

I am what I am due to the heritage and influence of my parents, my work experience, my friends and my children.

And I am what I am in Fayette County due to the influence of a man right up there with Flavius Josephus, Pliny the Elder and Plutarch.

Mic de mithas.

Carolyn Cary is Fayette County's official historian and editor of “The History of Fayette County,” published by the Fayette County Historical Society.