My Dad designed, and built Jimmy's sausage plant in Plainview, and dealt with Jimmy ever day before, during and after the construction of that facility. Dad designed that entire facility on our kitchen table and I often sat and watched as he sweated over that job. One day, I went down to Plainview with Dad to check on some construction detail. Don Dean, Jimmy's identical twin was there and we went to lunch with him. I was about 12 or 13 at the time. While we were eating lunch, people kept coming to our table and asking or autographs. Don would sign , and they would leave the table happy. After we left, I asked Don what he was writing on their papers? He laughed and said, "they think I am my brother, and they won't take no for an answer, so, I just sign Don Dean. They don't even look at it, they just thank me and walk away happy" I remember Don as being very friendly and kind. I never got to meet Jimmy, but, My Dad said he was a bit of an "ass". They recently tore down the old sausage factory and itis ow a Fed Ex facility.
I bet that was cool to see and be part of. And to see how it has grown over the years. I do know that Jimmy Dean was a stickler for having things done his way. This was evident with his firing of Roy Clark. Thank you for sharing your story.
My parents & I saw him at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo in 1968.He came out charging on a horse & fell off.After recovering,he put on a great show
You won't believe me uncle Dave, but I actually met Jimmy Dean. He was regular at my grandparents bar here in richmond. He'd always order bourbon, and was frequently drunk. He would bring a lady friend in with him, don't know who she was, but he would always yell at her, threaten to hit her, and was an all-around asshole to my mother, who was the bartender at the time. At the time I was really really young, but mama would bring me to the bar every now and then, and one time I walked up to him, can't remember what he said to me, but my mom told me years later that he was a regular. Thought you'd think it was cool.
I believe you. I know of some of the stories I have heard about him and Roy Clark when they worked together. Besides living outside of Richmond like I do I have heard stories of his drinking.
