GOOD GUY'S GARAGE

[Ray Cecil]

This has been a long time coming. I cannot think of a better place to document this than within Gary's website. My father, who passed 1 year ago, stood at this site and we made plans to build this barn together. We had built a few cars when I was younger, and helped many people work on their vehicles. Mostly poor single mothers in the community, and friends/family/neighbors. My dad spent a fortune helping others. He never had enough $$ left over to do anything for himself. I am building this garage in his honor, and to have a place to help others, and teach my sons to do the same that my father taught me.

I used to live a few miles from Gary Lewis, in Collinsville OK. Gary has also inspired me to help others through his selfless sharing of his time, talents, shop, tools etc. So I also dedicate part of this building to not just Dad and Gary, but to all the "good guys" out there gettin' it done, and helping one another. In fact, I think I'll dub this garage "The good guy's garage".

[Ray Cecil]

Here I have cleared for a driveway and moved the earth off of the site for the barn

The barn is being added to that lean-to style building in the back.

[Gary Lewis]

Ray - Your father would be proud, and I'm proud to be mentioned in the same sentence as him.  

This is an excellent place to document the building of your shop, and you might get some suggestions along the way.  

[Ray Cecil]

Thanks Gary. I will upload more photos. I am much further along than what you see so far.
Sorry for all the sentimental stuff. Its been a hard two years losing sis and dad. Building this garage has reminded me of a lot of things. I guess maybe since dad is gone now, the only other guy I have ever met who is so willing to help others like he did, well...is you Gary. I guess in a way, it brings me joy to see that dad wasn't a one-of-a-kind. He was one of many "good guys".

Cars, trucks, garages, family, neighbors, friends and the good ole' boys. As far as I am concerned, there ain't much better in this life than those things. I'm just doing my part to influence other's to be one of us.

I have a young neighbor (20-21 years old) who will remain nameless. He hasn't exactly been very polite to me. It started off good when he moved in. Then the music started and we could hear it in the house while eating dinner and such. We don't like listening to Puff Daddy and Emenim talking about how they treat their "hoes" while trying to eat dinner. So I asked the young man to turn it down. He promptly pitched a fit and yelled at me. I tried being nice. I hope that one day I can restore that relationship, and he can grow up a bit and be a part of something bigger than himself. Right now he is pretty focused on himself.

That is the good guy stuff right there....showing patience and leading by example.

[Ray Cecil]

Gravel for parking and drive....check.

[Ray Cecil]

Break for a party with the kiddos.

[Ray Cecil]

Adding gravel. And dads Silverado to be restore some day.

[Ray Cecil]

Delivery day!!

[Ray Cecil]

the crew

[Ray Cecil]

Going up!

[Ray Cecil]

[Ray Cecil]

Look for a picture of my Marquis in a later post. I uh...."re-arranged" the back end of this car later...

[Ray Cecil]

ITS A BEAUTY

[Ray Cecil]

Under roof.

[Ray Cecil]

Barn Red. I couldn't go with any other color.

[Ray Cecil]

[Ray Cecil]

Main contracted part finished.

Final dims are 40' x 60'. 40' x 40' addition has 16' from finished floor to bottom of trusses.

[Ray Cecil]

Now time to put something in it. Sorry guys, not a ford or a Bullnose. Maybe later. Dad was a chevy guy.

[Ray Cecil]

eh....make that TWO chevys...

Come on Gary, we all know you like Mopars....we all have our faults...

[1986F150Six]

Gary does have a Chevy, too!