Daily Dad News
Oklahoma Man Recipient Of Tom Joyner Morning Show ‘Real Father, Real Men’ Award
March 1, 2012
Credit: Muskogee Phoenix
An Oklahoma man was surprised by a call from nationally syndicated radio show host Tom Joyner after being told he would be receiving an honor from the popular media personality regarding his duties as a devoted father and husband. Cedric Johnson, a retired schoolteacher in the town of Muskogee was humbled by his selection as the winner of Joyner’s “Real Father, Real Men” award.
A weekly tradition on the "Tom Joyner Morning Show," listeners are asked to send in nominations in letters or emails from around the nation recognizing a father or male figure they admire. The letters are read aloud each Tuesday morning, with the morning hosts choosing a winner and awarding the recipient with a cash prize. Johnson’s foster daughter moved Joyner to award the current substitute teacher, who at first thought the call was a prank.
“I’d never heard of this until they called me, and I just thought they were shucking and jiving,” said Johnson to local paper the Muskogee Phoenix.
Johnson’s former foster daughter’s letter was a moving tribute to her foster dad’s contributions to her life. Johnson’s birth daughter also nominated her father, echoing the same sentiments in the winning letter.
“My dad is the greatest. Although he’s not my birth dad, he did give me a chance as a foster child,” she wrote. “He and his wife and children welcomed me in. They were my first taste of a real family,” read the letter. She continued the note saying, “When they found cancer in my mom, my dad was right there. He canceled his NAACP convention and his Kappa 100 celebration to be by my mom’s side. Now that’s the love of a father, a husband. That’s why he is a real father, real man.”
Johnson took it all in stride, stating simply that he was doing the job as only a dedicated father can. “I always like to say, once you have children, you’re grounded for the next 20 year,” said Johnson. Tom Joyner has graciously awarded Johnson with the funds necessary to attend the annual NAACP convention he missed while caring for his late wife, who he largely credits for the success of his children.
“You set those standards and you live up to them,” Johnson shared. “They need a father to provide discipline tempered with love.”
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