A tribute to Rolly Cox
If you’re sittin’ there all solemn and still
He’d say, “Who died? Let’s close the deal.”
Don’t you dare bring tissues here
Unless you’re laughin’ —[pause] laugh with me now
Day-old coffee, cigarette glow
Talk radio hummin’ low
Mustache twitch and a sideways grin
You knew a tall tale was settin’ in
He could sell a concrete mixer to a contractor well-supplied,
Make a numbers man step aside,
By the time he’d flashed that grin,
You’d order two more just to win.
He’d want you laughin’
Till your ribs all ache
Shakin’ your head sayin’ “For heaven’s sake”
Tellin’ the stories that may not be true
But somehow still feel honest to you
Raise a glass, don’t make it small
He gave it everything — gave it all
If he’s lookin’ down, I guarantee
He’s sayin’, “Don’t cry… laugh with me.”
World of Concrete knew his name
National sales was his claim to fame
Said he was an expert — that was his line
“Just outlived ’em all — and I smoked the whole time.”
John Deere green in the barn at night
Restoring steel like a sacred rite
If those old tractors could talk, they’d say his name
That man was the real deal
He drove those highways mile by mile
Closing contracts with that mustache smile
From coast to coast he’d roam
And somehow make the road feel home
He’d want you laughin’
Not whisperin’ low
Sayin’ “Man, that guy could put on a show.”
Coffee at dawn, scotch at night
Arguin’ politics just for the fight
He’d stir the pot, then buy the round
Drop a punchline, then skip outta town
If heaven’s got gates, they’re probably sealed—
Till Rolly negotiates the deal
Two long years he worked that test
Probably tried to out-negotiate the rest
When the good Lord knocked, he raised one brow
Said, “You sure you wanna close this now?”
“I’ve still got contracts left to sign.”
“Let’s revisit this next quarter,” he’d chime.
So be laughin’
Till your tears run free
Not from sorrow — from memory
Of the sparkling eye and the tall-tale spin
And that gray mustache liftin’ with grin
Fifty-one years, Mary by his side
That was the deal of his whole life’s ride
If love was currency, he left us rich
And I bet he’s up there closin’ his pitch
“Expert? Nah…
Just outlived the competition.”