My first trip to the Beacon was back around 1970. I've been stopping there every chance I get over the years. Once drove four hours out of the way on a trip to eat there. Sorry that JC is no longer with us. A great loss for all concerned.
I remember the first time I went to the Beacon. It was my turn and JC said, "Caaaaaaaallll It!" and I wasn't ready. He said, "GET OUT MY LINE!!!" I tucked tail, went to the back of the line and tried again, but this time I knew what I wanted and ordered. He gave me a pat on the back, and told me good job. I felt like I had just accomplished something..lol. Great man, greatly missed.
When I was a kid back in the 70s and early 80s, we used to come from NC to visit family in Spartanburg and Union. We’d always have to come eat at the Beacon. This guy was really intimidating as a young kid! LOL It’s just not the same going in there anymore without hearing JC yelling “CALLLLLLLL IT”. He is forever missed. 😢
A group of firefighters and myself was headed to a Haz Mat Class and on the way there we took a detour just to go to The Beacon. I’ve only been there that time but remember J.C. calling my order. That was the best part of the whole trip. I practiced my order before I got to him because I didn’t want to be told “back of the line”...lol. I regret knowing he has passed and never taking my kids there and meeting him. J.C., just know that I remember you like it was yesterday even though it was 20 yrs ago.
My family saw the beacon almost 20 years ago on TV, when I was five or six years old we were on a road trip from Augusta, GA to Boone, NC and we stopped, there’s a picture of my mom, dad, grandma, brother and I with JC. I remember going there (16 years ago) even though I was young, and I wanna go back.
