Last July I relocated to Denton, TX, and one of the first things I did was get involved with a research project on Denton's historic communities. One of the people I encountered along the way was Melody Kelly, who worked at the University of North Texas. Upon telling her I was interested in filling stations from yesteryear, she brought me over to Barney's Auto Parts where she introduced me to Jimmy, a grey haired, bluish grey pierced eye man who was a tow wrecker for Barney's Auto Parts. Initially, I came by every weekend so I can soak up the asphalt history of the community, i.e. learn about Jack Bryson and his Texaco station along S. Locust as well as the parade of Oklahoma Sooner fans stopping by the Magnolia station along US 77 to fill their tanks as they traveled to Dallas to take on the Texas Longhorns at the Red River Shootout. However, through the course of the next several months, he began to accept me as one of the boys. From "how's your mom in New York" to concerns about work, he is a caring man who has introduced me to close friends and associates, either in the automotive industry or people he knew from way back when.
After owning Barney's Auto Parts in Denton for 53 years, the city, through various measures, has forced his hand. At some point this year, he will close the shop. Today, we shot the bull on sports, life, and other topics. Over the past year, he has become a good friend, and I want him to be able to not just sit around and count seconds off life's clock at home. Nonetheless, he is tired of fighting. In a few months, the shop, or the mecca, will be torn to dust particles. As I left the shop, he said "Come back again my friend, we'll catch up on sports."
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