b'THE OLD STORYTELLERI Always Wanted to Be A CowboyBy Hank Sheffer, The Old StorytellerW hen I was a youngsterjustice always seemed to prevail, no growing up back east, Imatter what the odds were against can remember my Momthem. I wanted to be a cowboy.and Dad asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up.Well sir, it took me nigh on thirty I knew then that unless youyears to achieve that goal. And had aspirations to becoming president, which l didnt,perhaps, I became only a half-there were really only three things that boys my agebaked cowboy at best, but I am a then wanted to be. They were firemen, policemen, and,cowboy never the less, leastways, of course, there were cowboys. They were all heroes inmy heart tells me I am. It has been my mind, but I just knew I wanted to be a cowboy. my great fortune to be allowed to These men were my heroes, and they stood for the values that my parents instilled in all of us kidsdignity, loyalty, trust, faith, respect, understanding, and camaraderie; they always championed what was right and good and justice always seemed to prevail, no matter what the odds were against them. Now, I have to tell you straightI never knew Tomhelp perpetuate western history Mix, Buck Jones, or Colonel Tim McCoy duringon film, in the television media, their lifetimes, but Ive learned to know themcollege classrooms, and numerous through their old films during mine. And up untilother arenas. These wonderful a few years ago, I had never met Roy Rogers, Geneexperiences have contented my Autry, Ben Johnson, or Harry Carey, Jr., but l knewdream and allowed me, in my own them all well through their appearances on thesmall way, to be a part of those ideals for which other celebrity activities at which I was invited to silver screen and television. These men were mymy heroes stood. participate benefitting children and people less heroes, and they stood for the values that my parentsfortunate than myself.instilled in all of us kidsdignity, loyalty, trust,During the next few decades, I was afforded the faith, respect, understanding, and camaraderie; theyopportunities to meet many of my heroes andMr. Ben Johnson still holds a particularly high always championed what was right and good andto work side by side with them at festivals andpoint on my list of heroes. His lifes motto was always Honesty, Realism, Respect. He hated four-letter words, noting that they werent necessary to make a point. His quiet, though powerful style and presence always got the job done. His uncanny horsemanship and gentleness taught me a great deal about how people ought to treat each other. Ben Johnson put his thoughts and aspirations into action by riding, roping, and raising funds for underprivileged and disabled children with his Pro-Celebrity Rodeos, the Ben Johnson Helping Hand, and other charity events.In the last four years of his life, he helped to raise over $100,000 for local charities in Arizona. His Oklahoma rodeo supported Childrens Medical Research, Inc, and established a $1 million Ben Johnson Research Chair in pediatric cancer research at the University of Oklahoma Health Services Center. Bens Houston event raised over $750,000 to help fight cystic fibrosis.8 May 2020'