David C. Biggers

David C. Biggers was my father-in-law.  Take a moment and let me introduce you.

David was quite the character, and, I believe, everything anyone would want in a father and grandfather; loyal, playful; joyful; generous; fun and, at times, downright hysterical.

One of our “regular” activities with David was eating out when we would make the hour and forty-five-minute drive up to San Mateo, Florida or him, down here to Mount Dora.  David loved to eat. He loved to eat well. Over the years, no matter how much I tried—only once was I able to pay for the meal. I asked him, “Why won’t you let me pay?” His answer; “If someone else pays, I have to watch what I order, if I pay, I can order whatever I want.” He said with a smile.

Speaking of food; he’d often say; “When I was a child, we had three meals a day; Oatmeal; Cornmeal and  Miss-A-Meal.” And, when the waitress would ask what he wanted he’d say “Surprise me.” He would then follow it up by asking the server “Do you have any birthday cake? It’s not my birthday I just wanted to know if you have any birthday cake.” And, by the way, he hated to eat chicken.

He was generous with those who had less. Just last Christmas, one of the tenants who rented from him had a house fire. The home was livable but would have no power, until repairs could be made. He took a generator to them, didn’t accept rent from them—and bought the children of the home gifts for Christmas. He shared with me that the joy he experienced after giving those gifts, just delighted him. He had a soft heart. But he had no patience for those who didn’t want to work.

Media over the years, just couldn’t grasp the idea of the honey stand honor system that David’s father, Calvin began in 1947. And David’s reply was always; “Take a jar of honey, don’t pay for it? I don’t care. It’s their problem, not my problem,” and he would always say “Basically, the American people are honest.”

You may recall the infamous purple chicken theft a couple of years back. If you aren’t familiar with it—just google it. Anyhow, after the young thieves were arrested, David was asked if wanted to press additional charges, he declined, knowing that if he did, it would hang over those stupid young men’s heads the rest of their lives. He chose to move on—plus he relished all that free publicity!

He was generous with his time, too. Even in the last two weeks of his life here on earth, he made time to see his grandson, (my son) Nate’s baseball game down in Eustis, and then, just a week before he passed he happened to be making a delivery to a long-time customer and friend in Mount Dora. At that same time, Debi & I were on the way to get Hannah for Thanksgiving—and we had car trouble. I knew David was probably still in Mount Dora—I called him, from the side of the road; “You still in town?” “Yep,” he replied. “At Five Guys,” I explained the car trouble and asked if his trailer was empty. He drove an hour out of his way to get us. We loaded the car in the trailer, and of course, he took us to dinner on the way home. He would always remind his daughters and grandchildren he’d do anything for them. And he meant it.

He did his best to live by his own rules; About a year and a half ago, he had just bought a new truck; And was heading up north for a delivery. Now, that truck was brand new—and this was the middle of summer—and the air condition quit working. He was in Georgia, somewhere, I think, he went to Home Depot, bought a portable air conditioner, put it in the back of his truck, plugged it into the generator also in the bed of the truck, ran a large tube in the window, taped it all up and viola! He had air-conditioning! Incidentally, he took video and some great pictures of the crazy contraption; Then proceeded to call the dealership and complain and tell them he was going to put it on Facebook—along with the name of the dealership. “Mr. Biggers”, the manager said, “please, please don’t do that, we’ll take care of your truck as soon as you get back…”

His business philosophy was simple: buy something for a dollar, sell it for two dollars and you’ll never starve.

[bctt tweet=”Buy something for a dollar, sell it for two dollars and you’ll never starve.-David Biggers” username=”scotthumston”]

David, although age tried to slow him—he kept going. Thinking, dreaming, planning and most of all, doing! He got things done. He loved to make things happen. He worked up until the end—not because he had too—but because he wanted too. He was loyal to his customers, and they were loyal to him.

To see him banter with customers at the honey stand was pure entertainment. For every silly customer question, he had a snappy, hilarious, yet somehow, respectful comeback. “Who, makes this honey?” they’d ask. “The bees do, ma’am” David would respond. “How much is the jam?” a customer would ask. “We have a sale today, $6.00 each or you can get two for just $12”. He’d reply with a grin.

As a child, growing up in the small community, of San Mateo and attending First Baptist his parents hid God’s word in his heart. His recall of the Scriptures was amazing—and he would occasionally get in quoting contests with my children.

David was not a perfect man. And he was the first to admit this. He had flaws, imperfections, and inconsistencies—as we all do. But, he was doing his best—and allowing God to work through and in spite of him, to build bridges; share joy and show love to those around him.

Everyone’s life is a story. Many times folks allow others to write their story—instead of taking control, making choices, and charting their own destiny. David, even as a young man, choose to make his own way. As in the words of Robert Frost; “Two roads diverged in a wood, David took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference. ”

May God bless you, may your story be full of Christ’s grace, peace, and joy.