It's always sad to learn of the passing of an acquaintance. The news of the death of Shelby Foote is no exception. In my case and I suppose most others, the time for reflection and memories of the personal relationship won't go away.

That's one of the problems of getting into your seventies and eighties and by God's grace, more. The passing of acquaintances becomes too frequent an occurrence. By His grace Shelby made it to 88.

In no way do I mean to imply that I had a close relationship with Shelby. Quite the contrary, it was one where there was a phone conversation every once in a while. I was honored that he would take my call during what I knew was a highly disciplined regimen he maintained for his writing. I'm sure he couldn't have possibly talked to everyone who called. Writing was more important to him.

Once you got familiar with Shelby, and more importantly, he with you, you would get the straight unadulterated Foote. He told it exactly like he thought it to be and that wasn't always what some folks wanted to hear.

I have always regarded him as a giant in the research and development of the telling of the War Between the States. Consider the laborious years he painstakingly took to produce his huge three volume epic on the war. Very few have devoted a normal lifetime in such an effort. Hudson Strode may be a distant close second with his long effort in delving into the truth about Jefferson Davis.

Shelby would have never been well recognized or read without his highly popular appearances on Ken Burns' PBS series. I hear some Southerners criticize Shelby for some of the comments he made in the series. As in anything of such gigantic proportion, I think you need to take the whole of Shelby's participation rather than nitpick a few comments. If you do, you'll find he was unusually fair, if not tilted toward his Southern roots. Yes, he was frank and he had no reservations about being critical of Southerners who would not stand up for their heritage and their symbols.

Burns needs some criticism for the series which did indeed ruffle my feathers at times. It may be interesting for you to know that Shelby wasn't at all times happy with some parts of that series. He knew his role and he fought for the individuality and accuracy of what he tried to do.

He was a clear influence on me, and I think he meant to be. I don't recall a conversation when he didn't talk about those "yahoos" whose misuse of our symbols were hurtful to our clear mission of honoring our heritage and the CSA soldiers he so deeply honored.

I know how heartened he was when twenty something of us, all Confederate descendants from six states, converged on the last Klan rally I can remember in Biloxi a couple of years ago. We were so successful, the Klan did not show anything Confederate and to my knowledge hasn't since. The international press was overwhelmingly favorable. The event sort of vindicated what Shelby had advocated for years. While pleased, Shelby wondered "why in the hell haven't you been doing this before?"

He loved the Mississippi Delta. My background from many years ago when I was the only TV news anchor in Mississippi opened the door for discovering the depth of humanity Shelby uniquely held. He knew those people and all the nooks and crannies of that most exclusive and interesting area.

So, Shelby. Thanks for what will endure forever. In respect to the wonderful work and memories you leave with me, this evening at six, I'll continue the tradition you loved so well... one good shot of Southern bourbon...but don't tell my doctor.

Jeff Davis is a retired radio-TV journalist living in Gainesville, GA. Active in civic and political affairs, he is past president of the Georgia Jaycees, former vice president of the US and the world Jaycees, former campaign chairman of the Georgia Republican party. He voluntarily serves as chairman of the Georgia Heritage Council. He is a collateral descendant of President Jefferson Davis.

Related Links
Civil War historian, storyteller Shelby Foote dies - AJC.com