September 26, 2025 • 50 mins
On this episode of the Growing Our Future podcast, we have the chance to sit down with Kerri LeDoux, Executive Director of the Live Like Johnny Organization and mother to the late Johnny Callan. Kerri shares a heartfelt testimony of Johnny's life and the example he led. She shares his desire to help others and how the FFA became the vehicle for him to live his brand.
At the time Johnny was a Ford Leadership Scholar and President of the Area IV FFA Association, Tyler Koch was the Leadership Development Coordinator. He shares the following about Johnny, "Johnny Callan wore the blue jacket like so many before him, and set the gold standard for genuinely selfless service like no other." He went on to say, "In my office at the Buzbee Law Firm I keep two photos, one of my daughter Meadow, and the other is of Johnny’s Dock. Johnny’s dock is my daily reminder to try and live, work, serve, and love like Johnny, so that my daughter just might live like Johnny too."
You'll enjoy this story of Johnny and how we too can "live our brand" to make a meaningful impact on our community.
Learn more at MyTexasFFA.org
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:30):
Well, good morning, good afternoon, good evening, or
whenever you may be tuning in tothe Growing Our Future podcast.
We're going to start by sayingthank you.
Thank you for stopping by.
You know, time's the only thingthat we can do is spend it.
There's no other option to time.
You just got to spend it.
And the fact that you're willingto spend some time with us, I
(00:52):
just wanted to let you know howappreciative we are.
And we hope that you getsomething out of it, like we
know we're going to getsomething out of it.
So the Growing Our Futurepodcast is about bringing on
people that have incredible lifeexperiences, expertise, insights
that they're willing to sharefor others.
Like I always say, if you wantto know what the future is, grow
(01:13):
it.
Well, how do you grow something?
Well, you've got to make sureyou're ready for it.
You gotta cultivate, and thenyou got to plant the seed, then
you got to take care of it, andthen you got to harvest it and
you got to share it.
Today, y'all are about to meet avery special guest.
And no doubt in my mind, we'reabout to plant some seeds of
(01:36):
greatness, seeds of legacy.
And you're gonna understand whyhere in a second.
We are honored today, an honorto have this guest.
This is the executive directorof the Live Like Johnny
organization.
More importantly, this is themother to Johnny Cowan.
Ladies and gentlemen, CarrieLedoux.
Carrie, thank you for joining ustoday.
SPEAKER_06 (01:58):
Oh, thank you, Aaron.
I'm happy to be here.
SPEAKER_00 (02:02):
Well, we're excited.
We're gonna have uh we're gonnahave a lot to talk about here,
but we start every podcast thesame way, same question.
So, Carrie, what are yougrateful for today?
SPEAKER_06 (02:16):
What am I grateful for?
Well, I'm grateful for myfamily.
Um, you know, I woke up thismorning and I took Grant to
school, and there was the mostbeautiful sunrise, and it was
full of every color of pink, andit just reminded me that later
today I'm gonna get to shareJohnny's story, and it just it
(02:37):
reminded me, you know, of ofGod's support.
Um, he's the greatest supportsystem that we have, and he's
faithful in his word, and justseeing that and a reminder of
Johnny and and all his favoritecolors was just it was grateful
to me.
I'm just blessed that I got towake up and and be reminded of
(02:58):
that.
SPEAKER_00 (03:00):
Well, I agree with you, by the way.
Um and it's nice, by the way.
I mean, here's the thing.
Okay, so when we do thesepodcasts, okay, this is what I
want everybody to do.
It's called R2A2.
So as we go through a podcast, Iwant everybody to R2A2.
So if you're listening to this,here's the here's what R2A2 is
(03:21):
recognize, relate, assimilate,and apply.
So recognize what somebody says,relate to it.
How can I relate to that?
How can I take that in?
How can I assimilate that?
And then how do I apply that?
And by doing so, we're not onlybuilding our brands, we're
living a legacy, but moreimportantly, we're pouring into
(03:42):
other people because we are tooA2.
Carrie's already started us offwith some incredible art.
Because what does she just say?
First thing is recognize yourblessings, recognize, look at
all around that we have to begrateful for.
Family, fresh air, beautifulsunrise, beautiful sunsets.
(04:05):
We'll take the rain on occasion.
We need a little rain onoccasion, because when it rains,
things grow.
So, you know, there's probably alot of Carrie's already said,
but you're about to learnthere's a lot more.
So let's jump into that, Carrie.
So in the Texas FFA, Texas FFAAssociation and Texas FFA
(04:27):
Foundation, we started acapstone leadership
development/slash communityservice project program called
the Ford Leadership Scholars.
Back in 2002, we reached out toFord Motor Company, who wrote a
very comprehensive developmentproposal, and Ford supported
(04:49):
that proposal.
That support came from NationalFord, Ford Company, Texas Ford
dealers.
But that support included thenaming rights to our building in
Austin, Texas, but it was alsothe endowment seed money for the
Ford Leadership ScholarsProgram.
Again, a capstone leadershipdevelopment program where kids
(05:10):
apply.
They have to read a book, theytake tests, they go through an
interview process.
It is a very robust process tobe chosen as a Ford Leadership
Scholar.
Ten students are picked acrossthe state of Texas, and then
those 10 students will execute acommunity service project.
(05:30):
One of those young men, andthat's how Carrie and I met.
One of those young men, his namewas Johnny Cowan.
Carrie, I I want to know moreabout Johnny, and I want you to
share with us who Johnny was.
The importance of those thingsthat you and I know are the Live
(05:54):
Like Johnny brand.
But walk us through that,Carrie.
Tell us about, and and you cango ahead and start off and let
everybody know that thosebeautiful pictures behind
Carrie, that is Johnny.
Such an incredible young man.
And unfortunately, he's not herewith us anymore.
(06:14):
But Carrie, tell us aboutJohnny.
Tell us about how we came tothis spot today.
SPEAKER_06 (06:22):
Well, first of all, we came to this spot with him
being a Ford Leadership Scholar,I think, because of who he was
as far as his intelligence andhow involved he was in the FFA.
He found his passion in the FFA.
Um, at the young age, I guess hewas in the seventh or eighth
grade.
But when he was young, I mean, Iknew how intelligent he was
(06:46):
because he would tear thingsapart and rebuild them and he
would design things.
He built a Jacobs ladder.
So I could tell he was he wasvery, very smart.
But to me, he was a light, youknow, he was such a bright
light, um, so humble and and sokind.
(07:07):
Um, he was an amazing rolemodel.
And there's so many things thatI didn't even know about Johnny
until after he passed.
And I think it's just because hewas so humble um that he never
shared all the things he did forothers.
He just did it because that'swho he was.
Um, I don't even know if hetruly realized the impact he
(07:29):
made on other people's lives.
I I don't even think he realizedit.
That's just who he was.
He um, you know, he helped kidsum at the fair barn with their
animals.
Um, he helped kids withhomework.
Um, he always sat with the kidswho were sitting alone because
he wanted them to feel like likethey had friends or um just
(07:50):
someone they could lean on.
Um give him something, just eventhe smallest thing, he would be
so grateful.
Like you'd just give him amillion dollars.
He was just always so thankful.
Um, but he he always knew likewhen someone needed, you know,
the light, like he could tellwhen I was in a bad mood, and he
(08:11):
would come and joke around withme or or try to brighten my day,
and that's just who he was.
He just he wanted to reach outand make other people happy.
That was his personality.
SPEAKER_00 (08:23):
So you saw in him, sounds like his entire life, he
was always that kind of youngman.
Always, and so now think aboutthat.
Carrie's already, if we're R2A2in things, listen to what she's
already said.
You know, he didn't wait to lookfor an opportunity to serve, he
(08:48):
took advantage of an opportunityto serve.
He moved, he he took thatinitiative.
It could have been band, itcould have been athletics, it
could have been UILcompetitions, but it just so
happens that FFA kind of becamehis vehicle to share those
(09:09):
talents that he had, if that'sfair.
SPEAKER_06 (09:12):
It's fair, but you you also have to think about the
teachers that were involved inhelping him find what he was
passionate about.
Because it's those teachers, um,they gave him the confidence and
the purpose to pursue thoseopportunities in order for him
to find his passion in the FFA.
You know, they were they werehuge role models in him finding
(09:35):
his purpose.
I don't I don't think he reallyfound his purpose or what he
wanted to do in life until hefound the FFA.
SPEAKER_00 (09:42):
So the teachers, thank you.
So the teachers, they all kindof helped navigate him.
And then he had these instincts,these bents.
And that that FFA programallowed him to do those things.
Yeah, it's my understanding thathe did that right there in
y'all's hometown ofJacksborough.
SPEAKER_06 (10:01):
He did.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (10:03):
Did he like I heard that he tutored kids?
SPEAKER_06 (10:05):
He did.
He even helped them with rangeand you know, I don't even know
the name of it, but all thegrasses and everything that um
all the competitions that hedid, you know, he helped um
other kids get to where theyneeded to be.
And it wasn't even about thembeating him.
He didn't care, he just wantedto help them be the best that
(10:26):
they could too, even if theybeat him, you know.
SPEAKER_00 (10:29):
So he he liked to help other people.
SPEAKER_06 (10:32):
He did.
SPEAKER_00 (10:33):
He he was an encourager, it sounds like.
Yeah, I kind of picked up thathe was an encourager.
SPEAKER_06 (10:41):
For sure.
SPEAKER_00 (10:43):
We're gonna talk a lot more about.
I just wrote all these thingsdown about his passion.
I love the word passion, by theway.
And and he had it.
And you know, maybe one thingI've never shared with you, but
I'll share with you.
I think one of the things thatwhen you look at Johnny, and
just look at those two smilingfaces behind you there.
(11:04):
When when you looked at Johnny,not only did he have a passion,
but I think his passion wasdriven by a sense of gratitude.
SPEAKER_02 (11:14):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (11:15):
Somewhere along the way, this young man knew that
that he had a life to begrateful for.
And so what did he wanted toshare that with other people?
He did, he wanted to empowerthem.
So, you know, I want to saythank you to you because I know
as parents, you know, it's toughto raise kids.
(11:37):
It is a and you've got abeautiful family.
You've got a daughter, an olderdaughter, and then you've got a
younger son.
Uh, tell us a little bit aboutyour family.
SPEAKER_06 (11:46):
Well, the greatest gift to me, and honestly, my
purpose in life is being a mom.
I mean, that that has been thegreatest gift and in my purpose
in life.
And um, my daughter, Alexis, sheis uh 24 and she's a dental
hygienist and you know, thrivingout in Decatur, Texas.
And then we have Grant, who is10, and I truly feel that God
(12:13):
gifted us Grant.
Um, because Grant was around ayear old when Johnny died.
And if it weren't for Grant andAlexis, I don't know if I would
have had I would have had asmuch joy after John passed,
because it's a very traumaticthing to happen to you to lose a
(12:34):
child.
It's probably one of the hardestthings um a parent can go
through is losing a child.
And Grant was at the age wherehe was just so young and so
happy that he kept us smilingand he kept us going.
And and so between you know,Grant and Lexi, they've been a
true blessing, you know, theyreally have.
SPEAKER_00 (12:57):
Well, I can tell you it was an honor when we had Lexi
as one of our foundationambassadors, and it just it made
me smile to watch her doing herthing, and she did it.
The the thing that I alwaysappreciated was she was never
trying to be Johnny.
Yeah, she was being the bestversion of herself, and I love
(13:17):
that by the way.
And it's been an honor to watchall of your kids growing up, and
y'all are doing a great job, bythe way.
I just want to say thank you forthe fact that I believe a little
bit of who Johnny was, somebodyplanted some of those seeds in
his life.
SPEAKER_03 (13:33):
Thank you.
SPEAKER_00 (13:33):
So tell me, um, let's let's go to that day real
quick.
I don't want to spend a lot oftime on it, but tell us about
what happened that day and howyou got the news.
SPEAKER_06 (13:45):
You're going deep on this one, Aaron.
So it was Thanksgiving weekend,and we were prepared.
We were in Louisiana forThanksgiving, and Johnny asked
to stay behind because he wantedto go uh to a goat classic, um,
a goat show in Haiko.
And so he stayed behind with myparents, and um we were getting
(14:10):
ready.
It was the Friday night, and wewere getting ready the next
morning to head back home.
And Johnny texted me about fivein the morning and told me that
he was getting ready to leaveand you know that he would drive
safe and he'd let me know whenhe got there.
Well, I put the phone down, Iwent back to sleep, I got up, I
(14:31):
went downstairs and met witheveryone, and then I came
upstairs at my in-laws' house topack and get ready uh to go
home.
And I was taking um a shower andmy husband came walking in, and
I could just tell there wassomething wrong, just the look
on his face, and he normallyplays practical jokes on me and
(14:52):
and you know, tells me certainthings, and I'm like, Yeah,
right, whatever.
Well, he told me, you know,there's been an accident, and I
immediately thought, you know,my parents or something like
that, because they're gettingolder, and they said Johnny's
been in an accident and hedidn't survive.
And I just immediately thought,there's no way, how, why, you
(15:17):
know, and so I just felt my legsgo, they they went numb.
And my mother-in-law camerunning in and she just grabbed
me, and she'd also lost a son,and she just said, You know, we
have the same heart.
I don't have the answers, but wehave the same heart.
And she knew what I would gothrough losing a child, and so
(15:41):
but he was he was driving um tothe goat classic, and he fell
asleep and ran off the road andhit a tree.
And it was very early in themorning.
The um the highway department,they um they showed up at my
parents' house knocking on thedoor um and just told them what
(16:01):
happened.
And my dad immediately drove tothe scene and was there every
step of the way until we couldget home.
SPEAKER_00 (16:10):
What day was that, Carrie?
SPEAKER_06 (16:12):
That was November 26, 2016.
Johnny was 17 years old.
So this November will be nineyears.
SPEAKER_00 (16:31):
So, um, as a director of the Texas FFA
Foundation, I had theopportunity to work with the
Ford Scholars that year.
And I remember spending sometime with Johnny, and that's why
I've never forgot his smile.
Because he's just alwayssmiling.
(16:54):
And I remember that year that uhthat that happened.
I'd been asked to go to LasVegas and be on a panel, keynote
speaker panel for theInternational Association of
Fairs and Expos.
Here are all these people fromall over the world from all
these fairs and expos.
(17:14):
And I'm in a and I'm a room fullof just empty chairs.
November 26, 2016.
And I'm sitting here thinkingabout the fact that I've got to
get up and give a talk, but thewhole time I'm there, the only
thing going through my mind wasthat was the day that they were
(17:35):
gonna lay Johnny to rest.
And as adults, as parents, we'realways trying to give our kids
tips.
Please do this, please do that.
And and all of a sudden, thisthing in our world came out
called social media, where youcould go online and you could
(17:56):
tell jokes, or you could debatepolitics, or you could talk
about food, you could talk aboutdrama in your community, or
drama in your family, or dramain relationships.
You you've got this incredibleplatform where you could say
anything you want to say.
And I used to tell the kids, Isaid, when I go on your social
(18:20):
media, I ought to know whatyou're an expert on based on
what three things I see themost.
(18:43):
He'd have been a Twitter guy.
I mean, he'd have been a uh aTikTok guy now, it would have
been around.
But every time you logged in andyou saw Johnny Cowan and you saw
his voice, and you saw what hewas promoting, he was always
promoting FFA, agriculture,leadership, and his family.
(19:08):
Everything he posted about hadone of those elements, and it
was consistent.
And I'll never forget that day.
I will never forget that day.
I said, at 17 years old, JohnnyCowan lived his brand.
He lived his brand.
(19:29):
When you tuned in to see what hewas doing, that was his brand.
Agriculture, youth, leadership,and family.
And to this day, people thatknow me on social media, that's
my handle is live your brand.
And I tell people, I take nocredit for it.
I take no credit for it.
All I've tried to do isencourage kids to do it, but
(19:51):
Johnny did it.
And because Johnny did, now weget to point to Johnny and say,
here's an example.
Live like Johnny, live yourbrand.
Because in doing so, you'regonna encourage somebody else,
you're gonna equip somebodyelse, and you're gonna empower
somebody else.
(20:11):
And that's what Johnny did.
And I'm fixing to give you anexample of it.
Carrie, shortly after that,y'all created the Live Like
Johnny organization.
SPEAKER_03 (20:24):
We did.
SPEAKER_00 (20:24):
And you had some missions behind that, some
projects behind that.
Tell us a little bit about theLive Like Johnny organization
and what y'all's focus is on,and why you've identified these
things that you're focused on.
SPEAKER_06 (20:40):
So when Johnny first passed away, people were sending
money into the bank instead offlowers.
I mean, we had tons of flowers,and people just started sending
in money, and we were like, whatare we gonna do with this money?
And so we started a scholarshipprogram.
And the reason we did this wasbecause preparing for the
(21:05):
funeral, I went digging throughsome boxes, I went digging
through his room, I foundbinders and note cards and all
kinds of stuff that he'd justwritten down, taking notes at
leadership retreats as a Fordscholar.
You know, he wrote his missiondown, um, he had speeches in
there.
And so we took everything thatwe found and created his
(21:28):
mission, which was somethingthat he he basically created the
organization, if you want to behonest.
SPEAKER_03 (21:34):
Right.
SPEAKER_06 (21:34):
He created the organization, he he had
everything in there for anorganization.
And I didn't originally want tostart an organization because I
didn't feel like I had enoughinformation to run an
organization, right?
I didn't have, I wasn't equippedto run an organization.
(21:57):
But with good mentors andeverything that we had found of
Johnny's and the dreams that hehad, we wanted to keep those
dreams and those memories alive.
Um, Johnny, one of his missionstatements, um, said that he
found his purpose, his passion,and what he wished to pursue.
(22:21):
And he wanted to end his FFAcareer knowing that he had left
a meaningful impact on someone'slife.
And he's worked countlessamounts of hours doing what he
can to inspire others.
And so that's what we want to dowith the organization.
You know, we we want to leave ameaningful, meaningful impact in
(22:44):
the lives of others.
Um, we want to change lives andmake a difference and do
everything that he wanted to do.
If he were, if he were stillhere, he would.
He would be doing more than whatwe were doing, what we're doing
now, honestly.
But we um so we give outscholarships um to help kids who
(23:05):
are lower income and who needthe most support.
Um, we also have a jacketprogram.
And the reason we have thejacket program, it's when Johnny
went on a leadership retreat, heum used some of his money that
he wasn't supposed to spendpurchasing FFA jackets for two
(23:27):
girls um that couldn't affordthem.
And you know, at first I wasangry with them thinking he'd
blown his money because he hedid that occasionally on things
he thought he needed.
And when I got on to him and youknow, he told me, you know, what
he did, you know, of course heput me in my place because I
immediately was humbled and justhappy that he would do something
(23:51):
like that for someone else.
And so we carry out thattradition in um in memory of
him, just purchasing jackets forkids um who can't afford them.
They're their FFA teachersnominate students and we gift
them a jacket, and then um we'vealso partnered with Kubota
dealers, and um students can gointo a Kubota dealership and
(24:15):
recite the creed and actuallyearn a jacket.
So we not only have that, but wehave a mentor program called C
Support, Encourage, and Engage.
And so um students who need helpwith essays and college
applications and things likethat, we're there to support
them.
So we have three differentpillars there that um we think
(24:42):
really honor John and who he wasand how he lived his life.
We're just carrying out what hewhat he started.
SPEAKER_00 (24:51):
This is why I find this so inspiring, by the way.
You know, Tom Ziggler, um, Iknow Carrie knows Tom.
He's a friend of ours, and he'son the Texas FFA Foundation
board.
His father was the late ZigZiggler, great, great
motivational speaker andencourager.
And I love what Zig said.
Uh Zig and Tom said, we're allgonna leave a legacy.
(25:12):
Everybody, everybody's gonnaleave a legacy.
You're either gonna leave it bydesign or by default.
And they want us to leave alegacy by design.
And when I think of Johnny, Ican tell you, I don't think
Johnny really realized at 17that he was living such an
(25:35):
incredible legacy already.
The fact that he was tutoringyounger kids, encouraging other
kids, telling other kids, let meget you in that FFA jacket.
Let me tell you what thatjacket's done for me.
Let me get you in there so itcan do that for you.
Let me mentor you.
Let me, you know, when I thinkat 17 years old that he was
(25:56):
doing that, that's why I tellpeople this world would be a lot
better off if we could all justlive a little more like Johnny.
If we could just live likeJohnny, to be that encourager,
to be that mentor, uh, to bethat person that opens those
operations, tries to get peopleinto those doors of opportunity.
That is why personally, and Iguess we should go ahead and
(26:20):
divulge.
Uh, I'm a board member of theLive Like Johnny organization,
and I am so proud to be a boardmember.
I am honored.
I don't look at my, I mean, Iknow I've got a fiduciary
responsibility, and that is myjob as a board member.
But I'm gonna tell yousomething.
As a human being, I'm moredriven by the fact that I get to
(26:42):
participate in Johnny's legacy.
I get a chance to encourageanother kid, to help another kid
get into a jacket, to helpanother kid be mentored.
Not because what we're doing,but because that's what Johnny
did.
SPEAKER_05 (26:58):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (26:59):
I just, to me, that is energizing.
You know, in the foundationambassador program, I know Lexi
probably told you we got acouple of quotes.
One of them is, you know, whenyour values are clear, your
choices are easy.
When your values are clear, yourchoices are easy.
And the other one is the essenceof leadership.
(27:19):
The essence of leadership is toplant trees under whose shade
you may never sit.
And when I think of Johnny'slegacy, and I think about the
words of encouragement for kidsthat might not get a lot of
words of encouragement, when Ithink that there's a kid that
may get in that FFA jacket, andinside that jacket they're gonna
(27:41):
find a note, which I want you totalk about.
They might find a note fromJohnny, they're gonna find a
patch, and that jacket may oneday end up in a grandparent's
closet, and their grandkids maycome in and say, What's this?
Oh, what's this patch in here?
(28:05):
And that person's gonna get totalk about Johnny Cow.
That's a legacy, and how theygot that jacket that they
earned, by the way.
They had to go and say thecreed.
And you know, they somebodybelieved in them enough to say,
hey, we think that if we can getyou in this jacket, you know.
(28:31):
Another thing that I wish I wishJohnny, I could talk to you
right now because I would tellyou this.
You know, as adults, this is ourjob.
Our job as adults are to createopportunities.
That's our job.
Students, your responsibility isto determine the outcome.
(28:52):
Johnny was going to encourageyou, Johnny was gonna empower
you, Johnny was gonna equip you,but you're not entitled to
success.
The other thing that I know thatJohnny did that I want to talk
about is I know that he workedhard.
And the reason I know he workedhard is because of every story
(29:13):
I've ever heard about him andhis dedication to goat showing.
Is that not true?
Was he a hard worker?
SPEAKER_06 (29:23):
He was.
He was out there every daywalking his goats and putting
them on the treadmill, settingthem up, showing other kids
around there how to set up theirgoats.
And you know, he was he workedvery hard.
Everything, everything he everdid, he worked hard.
He had a very good work ethic.
(29:44):
He really did.
SPEAKER_00 (29:46):
I hope the kids and I hope all the students who are
listening to this podcast willwill hear all this.
Uh I've not heard one thing yetthat Johnny was handed.
Everything I've heard is thatJohnny looked looked for a way
to serve.
He looked for a way toencourage.
(30:08):
And he knew that to accomplishall of these things that
required hard work.
One more thing that I know aboutJohnny is uh he thought big.
And everybody knows me knowsthat's one of my that's another
one of my big sayings.
Think big.
If you can't think big, youcan't inspire big.
If you can't think big, thepeople in your care can never be
(30:28):
big.
You've got to be able to thinkbig to get others to think big.
Part of the Ford LeadershipScholars Program is you have to
execute a community serviceproject.
Carrie, tell me, what did JohnnyCallan do for the community of
Jacksboro?
SPEAKER_06 (30:46):
Well, he designed and raised the funds for and
built a community dock at ourlake here in Jacksboro.
So he raised more funds thanwere needed.
Um he used straws to actuallydesign the dock in our kitchen.
He hot glued straws together andbuilt the dock exactly how he
(31:08):
wanted it.
And he met with a designer, andum there's different businessmen
in the community who had builtdocks or had docks on their
property, and he went and metwith all of them and um he met
with several different um peoplehere in town, you know,
commissioners, the city ofJacksboro, and and helped raise
(31:29):
those funds.
And he designed it, raised thefunds, ordered all the material,
and then a week later is when hepassed away.
So the community came togetherbecause the materials were
delivered, the design was ready,the money was there, and the
community came together and theyum they built the dock that he
(31:50):
had designed.
It was pretty cool.
SPEAKER_00 (31:53):
Where's that dock at?
Tell us so if anybody's everlistening, if you're ever
passing through Jacksboro, youyou need to stop.
Seriously, you need to stop.
You need to go see thisbeautiful, beautiful dock.
You need to see the dedicatedplaque that they put there for
Johnny.
But Carrie, where's that docklocated?
SPEAKER_06 (32:14):
So we have a lake here in Jacksboro out on Highway
59.
So just outside of Jacksboro,off of 199, you can go north on
Highway 59, and it's just acouple miles out there on that
road.
SPEAKER_00 (32:28):
And I also want to say this about the day that that
dock was dedicated.
Johnny had a mentor for thisproject, and there was something
that he wanted to go along withthis dock, if I recall.
Is that right, Carrie?
SPEAKER_06 (32:44):
He wanted a fireworks show, and I was like,
no.
I mean, he was wanting to cookfood for the community, have a
fireworks show.
I was like, John, it's gonnacost money, it's it's too much,
we don't need to do all of that.
And and we did.
We had the best fireworks showum at the dock when we um once
(33:06):
it was built, we um had adedication, and at the end of
it, we had a big firework show,and it it was beautiful and a
lot of pinks.
He would have been proud.
SPEAKER_00 (33:22):
By the way, Carrie keeps saying the word pink.
I want to correct her on that.
SPEAKER_05 (33:29):
It's funny that you say that because I'm always
correcting everyone else.
SPEAKER_00 (33:34):
It's not pink, Carrie.
What is it?
SPEAKER_05 (33:36):
It's magenta.
SPEAKER_00 (33:37):
Why is it magenta?
SPEAKER_05 (33:39):
Well, because it's more manly.
It's purple and pink, but it'snot pink.
SPEAKER_00 (33:46):
And Johnny's the one that said magenta.
Magenta.
SPEAKER_05 (33:50):
Not pink.
SPEAKER_00 (33:53):
There are so many incredible stories of legacy
that have come out of thismoment on November 26th.
I remember the day we were therefilming for your first video,
and Tom Ziegler was there.
He was, and I never forgot thatday because Tom was wearing,
(34:15):
y'all didn't coordinate it.
No, but Tom was wearing a pinkmagenta tie.
And I said, Wow, Tom, I said,You and Carrie, y'all
everybody's got coordinatedhere.
And he said, No, I didn't knowthat.
And then he told me, he said,Aaron, have I ever told you
about my ties?
And I said, No.
(34:37):
And apparently, whenever ZigZiggler knew that the time was
coming that he needed to passthe company on, he told Tom, I
need you to take on thisresponsibility.
And Tom said, Dad, I can't doit.
I'm not you, I'm not Zig Ziglar.
And Zig got up and he left theroom and he came back and he
(34:57):
gave Tom a box.
And when Tom opened it up, itwas a box of ties.
And he said, Son, whenever yougo out and give a talk or do a
workshop or make a presentation,he said, just put one of these
on and I'll always be with you.
SPEAKER_02 (35:16):
That's amazing.
SPEAKER_00 (35:19):
Every time I see magenta, or that sunrise or that
sunset that you described.
SPEAKER_02 (35:30):
Or even if I'm out in the woods hunting and I see a
red bird, I think of Johnny Cow.
SPEAKER_00 (35:42):
And I think that's God's way of reminding us that
there's an incredible legacythere.
That we get to smile and talkabout s'mores and chocolate.
SPEAKER_06 (35:54):
Even when I I'm having a bad day, I can take a
walk and I'll find a whitefeather just laying there, you
know, on the ground.
And I I think of Johnny.
So there's reminders all aroundus if we just take a moment to
get away from the busyness ofthe world and just breathe and
enjoy nature.
So many blessings around us.
SPEAKER_00 (36:16):
On Friday, this this episode will air before the
event that I'm about to telleverybody about it.
On Friday, October 3rd, uh,there will be a third annual
clay chute to benefit the LiveLike Johnny organization.
Um, I heard through thegrapevine, I I've not confirmed
this yet, but I've heard thatthere's going to be some Live
Like Johnny, some uh live yourbrand caps.
(36:38):
So hopefully those will beavailable through the Live Like
Johnny website.
SPEAKER_06 (36:44):
I think they will be.
SPEAKER_00 (36:45):
Okay, just throwing that out there.
Uh, or if you'd like to support,obviously uh you can live like
Johnny with us.
And you know, what do we sayabout philanthropy?
I love bragging about Johnnybecause we say that philanthropy
is the four T's (37:01):
time, talent, treasure, or testimony.
Some people can give their time,some people can give their
talent, some have treasure, theycan give you treasure.
And sometimes people just standup and share their testimony.
Johnny Cowan did all four.
Johnny Cowan was truly aphilanthropist.
And now we get an opportunity tolive his legacy while we live
(37:25):
our legacy, while we live ourbrand through events like the
clay chute on October 3rd.
So I just wanted to throw thatplug out there.
Um, but Carrie, real quick, alot of this story is about
Johnny, but there's also a partof the story that's about you.
(37:46):
A loving mom, a woman of faith,but got hit with right between
the eyes with a prettychallenging life experience.
And I know you've been on ourGrowing Our Future leadership
series before, where we talkedabout the importance of faith
and leadership, the importanceof resiliency.
(38:08):
Can you share with us realquick?
Just share with us theimportance of resiliency and how
you get through tough times thatyou've had to deal with.
SPEAKER_06 (38:20):
Well, uh we all get a choice of how we react to the
circumstances in our lives.
And my life hasn't been perfect.
Um, I've had a lot of things,bad choices.
Um it just hasn't been easy.
And I learned to rely on God.
And I think all of all of thethings that have happened to me
(38:42):
in my life, whether randomthings or from my own choices,
um it's built my relationshipwith God to be able to endure
the pain of losing a child.
And I honestly feel that God hasbeen with me the entire time.
I mean, he's given me signs,he's given me strength, um, he's
(39:06):
given me peace and joy when Ididn't think I would be able to
have it.
So um it's honestly my faiththat's that's gotten me through
it.
With without my faith and myprayer life, I don't think I
would have been able to survivethe pain of a tragedy like that.
SPEAKER_00 (39:29):
I just wanted to share that.
I wanted you to share that.
Thank you for sharing thatbecause it's not easy.
It's not easy.
But I and as a parent, agrandparent, I've told you many
times I can't imagine.
I I cannot imagine.
But when I get to see Carrie'sstrength, when I get to hear
(39:53):
Carrie's testimony, andeverybody's got a testimony, by
the way.
Everybody watching this,everybody's got a testimony.
But when I get to see Carrie andI hear her testimony and I see
her faith, I'm I'm R2A2 in that.
I'm recognizing it, I'm relatingto it, I'm trying, I see where
I've got to do a better jobsometimes of assimilating it,
(40:16):
and I've got to do a better jobsometimes of applying it.
But Carrie, the reason I wantedyou to share that is because it
takes courage to share atestimony.
It takes courage to have thatmoment of vulnerability to say,
here was a time in life that Igot knocked down.
(40:37):
But guess what?
You didn't get the best of me.
SPEAKER_06 (40:39):
Right.
And, you know, they say if youwant to know where to find your
contribution to the world, lookat your wounds.
And when you learn how to healyour wounds, teach others.
And to me, losing Johnny, it's awound, it's a deep cut, it's a
broken heart.
And um, that's my goal is toreach out to others and teach
(41:02):
them, you know, how to stilllive their life with with joy
and learn how to adapt to a newlife without your child because
you're gonna see them again.
SPEAKER_00 (41:13):
Well, that's what let me let's jump on that for
just a second because I wanteverybody to know this is
another example of what Carrie'sdone.
Um, Carrie, you know, I read abook one time, The Ragamuffin
Gospel by Brendan Manning.
And Brendan Manning talks abouthow he said man is the only one
that can loot, can misuse ahurt.
God wants to use a hurt.
(41:33):
And what Carrie has done is she,by sharing her testimony and
studying, she's gone throughsome personal training, she's
gone through some legacytraining, she's gone through
some grief training, grieftraining.
Um, because she's done that,she's written a book.
Uh, she's got you know thisincredible uh you know battery
(41:57):
that you've built up ofresources that you can share
now.
So now you're you're kind oflike that person that people can
reach out to and say, listen,I've been there.
SPEAKER_06 (42:07):
And I'm not perfect, I don't have all the answers,
but that's that's who God uses,right?
Broken imperfect people who arelearning how to figure things
out.
I mean, I I feel like God canuse me to help others in those
ways.
And so yeah, it's not easy, butit's what I want to do.
SPEAKER_02 (42:27):
Is there anything else you want us to know about
Johnny?
I miss him.
Me too.
SPEAKER_00 (42:39):
You know, the other day we were on the phone and you
said something that really shookme.
You said this would have beenabout the year he'd have been
running for state office.
SPEAKER_02 (42:51):
I think he'd have won.
Nah.
SPEAKER_00 (42:56):
He'd have been national president.
SPEAKER_05 (42:58):
He would have been that was his dream.
He was gonna become a nationalMFA officer.
SPEAKER_00 (43:02):
Yeah, he'd have been national president.
I've said it many times and Iwill say it right now one more
time.
Uh I wouldn't have mind been ata show somewhere and Johnny
said, Let me introduce you to mymom, let me introduce you to
your my dad, or whatever.
(43:23):
I would have taken it.
I don't know that I don't knowthat I like necessarily that
I've gotten to know Carrie andher family the way that I have.
Um, because I'd give it all backto have Johnny back.
Because like you said, I'mmissing.
But I'm also inspired by what Iget to see that you're doing,
(43:43):
that the Live Like Johnnyorganization's doing.
And, you know, if anything, I Idon't know.
Maybe what we need to do is weneed to try to get to the
governor or something, but weneed to do a live like Johnny
Day.
And maybe we could have a livelike Johnny Day, or maybe Texas
FFA or something.
We got to figure this out.
There's got to be some way.
(44:04):
But at least this platform givesus an opportunity to say that
there was one FFA member inJacksborough, Texas, that
believed in his community.
He believed in agriculture, hebelieved in FFA.
He believed that he, if he lenthimself and poured a little bit
of himself and a little bit ofhis entire into others, that he
(44:29):
could make a positivedifference.
And I would tell you that he hasand that he will continue to do
so.
Carrie, thank you for joining ustoday.
SPEAKER_02 (44:41):
Oh, thank you, Aaron.
SPEAKER_00 (44:43):
And I hope that we're able to capture this one
moment to share the incrediblestory of Johnny and what he
meant and what he did, and thefact that we've got things that
are ongoing to keep that legacygoing.
And by the way, it's just likebeing a Ford scholar.
Mitchell Dell and I talk aboutthis all the time, who was with
Ford Motor Company and helped uswith the program.
(45:06):
You don't have to be a Fordscholar to be a Ford scholar.
Anybody that hears this podcastcould go back and do a community
service project.
SPEAKER_02 (45:13):
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (45:14):
You don't have to be a foundation ambassador to be an
ambassador to your localcommunity, leadership, or
agriculture.
But I'm glad we have theseprograms, and I'm glad that we
have Live Like Johnny to sharewith others what it means when
we say live like Johnny.
Because that's pretty good.
(45:36):
Yeah.
All right, Carrie.
So I'm gonna ask you one lastquestion, fun question.
And I might even ask thistwofold just to see if you know.
So everybody gets a fun questionat the end.
So I'll ask you personallyfirst.
What's the best concert you'veever been to?
SPEAKER_06 (45:53):
Oh, the best.
So my first concert was ClayWalker.
I was probably 17.
But the best concert.
Okay, so my husband and I boughta new vehicle.
And when we were buying thisvehicle, we hit it off at the
(46:15):
sales rep.
And he said, Hey, y'all want togo to this concert with us
tonight?
It's at this little hotel.
We were like, Okay, you know, wewe didn't know who we were going
to see, we didn't know what toexpect at all.
We get there and they tell usit's Gary Stewart.
We're waiting and we're waiting,and then finally, in Gary
(46:36):
Stewart style, he comes in andlate and maybe had a little bit
too much to drink.
But there were only 15 to 20people in that room, and he sang
to us for hours and sat with us,visited with us, he signed
autographs on my back, he keptkissing me on the cheek.
(46:56):
It was just so fun because yougot to really know who Gary
Stewart was.
It was just a lot of fun.
Yeah.
I've never had an experiencequite like that.
I've always been to you know,concerts that were really big
and oh yeah, got to meet thesinger, but this was this was
very intimate and personal, andit was it was fun.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (47:16):
Yeah.
What about Johnny?
Do you do you happen to know didJohnny ever say that there was a
concert or anything that everreally stood out to him?
SPEAKER_06 (47:25):
No, I don't think Johnny ever went to a concert.
SPEAKER_00 (47:29):
Well, I'm sure he went to the FFA concerts.
I was once, yeah.
But I was just curious if therewas ever anything that he had we
know that he liked Ron Burgundybecause I meant Anchorman, I
meant, I gotta tell y'all, themore I've learned about Johnny,
the more I like him because hehad this really cool sense of
humor.
And so I knew that he was ananchor man guy.
SPEAKER_06 (47:49):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (47:50):
And that's why I was curious if he ever had any
concerts that just he talkedabout maybe more than others.
SPEAKER_06 (47:55):
Well, let's let's remember that he he was a boy,
so he didn't talk a lot orembellish on a lot of the fun
things that he did, and he wasvery focused.
Um, but he he did have a lot offun.
He he did a lot of experimentsand um crazy things.
Um, but yeah, he had fun too.
(48:16):
He wasn't all, you know, hewasn't always making an impact.
He was out having fun too.
SPEAKER_00 (48:22):
That's that's why I shared that, because that's what
I'm saying.
The more I've learned about himand his sense of humor, that's
you know, I think that's whatbrought him happiness was being
happy with others.
SPEAKER_06 (48:36):
That's what drew people to him, too, was his
personality.
You know, he was he was alwayscracking jokes and falling down
to make people laugh.
He just he wanted to make peoplehappy, so he was just a
jokester.
SPEAKER_00 (48:50):
So one of the things about the reason I like to ask
the question about concerts isbecause concerts are made up of
music, they're made up of lyricsand they're made up of memories.
SPEAKER_02 (49:08):
Johnny gave us a lot of beautiful music.
He did.
And we get to play it on heartstrings and we get to share it
with others.
SPEAKER_00 (49:20):
Um thank you for joining us today, Carrie.
Um again, Eric, ladies andgentlemen, thank you for
stopping by.
Um I hope if anything, everybodythat watches this podcast walks
away and says, you know, I Iwant to live a little bit more
like Johnny.
If if this young man could havethis impact, imagine what it
(49:42):
would be like if everybody thatwatched this podcast went out
and did the same thing.
Oh my gosh, what an incredibleand beautiful legacy that would
be.
SPEAKER_06 (49:51):
Wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone
lived like Johnny?
SPEAKER_00 (49:55):
It would be.
It would be so good.
We'd be laughing, we'd besmiling, we'd be encouraging.
Anyway, all right, until we meetagain, everybody go out, do
something great for somebodyelse.
Heck, if anything, after thispodcast, go live like Johnny.
Carrie, thanks again for joiningus.
SPEAKER_06 (50:14):
Thank you, Erin.
SPEAKER_01 (50:20):
We hope you've enjoyed this episode of the
Growing Our Future podcast.
This show is sponsored by theTexas FFA Foundation, whose
mission is to strengthenagricultural science education
so students can develop theirpotential for personal growth,
career success, and leadershipin a global marketplace.
Learn more at mytexasfa.org.
Well, good morning, good afternoon, good evening, or
whenever you may be tuning in tothe Growing Our Future podcast.
We're going to start by sayingthank you.
Thank you for stopping by.
You know, time's the only thingthat we can do is spend it.
There's no other option to time.
You just got to spend it.
And the fact that you're willingto spend some time with us, I
(00:52):
just wanted to let you know howappreciative we are.
And we hope that you getsomething out of it, like we
know we're going to getsomething out of it.
So the Growing Our Futurepodcast is about bringing on
people that have incredible lifeexperiences, expertise, insights
that they're willing to sharefor others.
Like I always say, if you wantto know what the future is, grow
(01:13):
it.
Well, how do you grow something?
Well, you've got to make sureyou're ready for it.
You gotta cultivate, and thenyou got to plant the seed, then
you got to take care of it, andthen you got to harvest it and
you got to share it.
Today, y'all are about to meet avery special guest.
And no doubt in my mind, we'reabout to plant some seeds of
(01:36):
greatness, seeds of legacy.
And you're gonna understand whyhere in a second.
We are honored today, an honorto have this guest.
This is the executive directorof the Live Like Johnny
organization.
More importantly, this is themother to Johnny Cowan.
Ladies and gentlemen, CarrieLedoux.
Carrie, thank you for joining ustoday.
SPEAKER_06 (01:58):
Oh, thank you, Aaron.
I'm happy to be here.
SPEAKER_00 (02:02):
Well, we're excited.
We're gonna have uh we're gonnahave a lot to talk about here,
but we start every podcast thesame way, same question.
So, Carrie, what are yougrateful for today?
SPEAKER_06 (02:16):
What am I grateful for?
Well, I'm grateful for myfamily.
Um, you know, I woke up thismorning and I took Grant to
school, and there was the mostbeautiful sunrise, and it was
full of every color of pink, andit just reminded me that later
today I'm gonna get to shareJohnny's story, and it just it
(02:37):
reminded me, you know, of ofGod's support.
Um, he's the greatest supportsystem that we have, and he's
faithful in his word, and justseeing that and a reminder of
Johnny and and all his favoritecolors was just it was grateful
to me.
I'm just blessed that I got towake up and and be reminded of
(02:58):
that.
SPEAKER_00 (03:00):
Well, I agree with you, by the way.
Um and it's nice, by the way.
I mean, here's the thing.
Okay, so when we do thesepodcasts, okay, this is what I
want everybody to do.
It's called R2A2.
So as we go through a podcast, Iwant everybody to R2A2.
So if you're listening to this,here's the here's what R2A2 is
(03:21):
recognize, relate, assimilate,and apply.
So recognize what somebody says,relate to it.
How can I relate to that?
How can I take that in?
How can I assimilate that?
And then how do I apply that?
And by doing so, we're not onlybuilding our brands, we're
living a legacy, but moreimportantly, we're pouring into
(03:42):
other people because we are tooA2.
Carrie's already started us offwith some incredible art.
Because what does she just say?
First thing is recognize yourblessings, recognize, look at
all around that we have to begrateful for.
Family, fresh air, beautifulsunrise, beautiful sunsets.
(04:05):
We'll take the rain on occasion.
We need a little rain onoccasion, because when it rains,
things grow.
So, you know, there's probably alot of Carrie's already said,
but you're about to learnthere's a lot more.
So let's jump into that, Carrie.
So in the Texas FFA, Texas FFAAssociation and Texas FFA
(04:27):
Foundation, we started acapstone leadership
development/slash communityservice project program called
the Ford Leadership Scholars.
Back in 2002, we reached out toFord Motor Company, who wrote a
very comprehensive developmentproposal, and Ford supported
(04:49):
that proposal.
That support came from NationalFord, Ford Company, Texas Ford
dealers.
But that support included thenaming rights to our building in
Austin, Texas, but it was alsothe endowment seed money for the
Ford Leadership ScholarsProgram.
Again, a capstone leadershipdevelopment program where kids
(05:10):
apply.
They have to read a book, theytake tests, they go through an
interview process.
It is a very robust process tobe chosen as a Ford Leadership
Scholar.
Ten students are picked acrossthe state of Texas, and then
those 10 students will execute acommunity service project.
(05:30):
One of those young men, andthat's how Carrie and I met.
One of those young men, his namewas Johnny Cowan.
Carrie, I I want to know moreabout Johnny, and I want you to
share with us who Johnny was.
The importance of those thingsthat you and I know are the Live
(05:54):
Like Johnny brand.
But walk us through that,Carrie.
Tell us about, and and you cango ahead and start off and let
everybody know that thosebeautiful pictures behind
Carrie, that is Johnny.
Such an incredible young man.
And unfortunately, he's not herewith us anymore.
(06:14):
But Carrie, tell us aboutJohnny.
Tell us about how we came tothis spot today.
SPEAKER_06 (06:22):
Well, first of all, we came to this spot with him
being a Ford Leadership Scholar,I think, because of who he was
as far as his intelligence andhow involved he was in the FFA.
He found his passion in the FFA.
Um, at the young age, I guess hewas in the seventh or eighth
grade.
But when he was young, I mean, Iknew how intelligent he was
(06:46):
because he would tear thingsapart and rebuild them and he
would design things.
He built a Jacobs ladder.
So I could tell he was he wasvery, very smart.
But to me, he was a light, youknow, he was such a bright
light, um, so humble and and sokind.
(07:07):
Um, he was an amazing rolemodel.
And there's so many things thatI didn't even know about Johnny
until after he passed.
And I think it's just because hewas so humble um that he never
shared all the things he did forothers.
He just did it because that'swho he was.
Um, I don't even know if hetruly realized the impact he
(07:29):
made on other people's lives.
I I don't even think he realizedit.
That's just who he was.
He um, you know, he helped kidsum at the fair barn with their
animals.
Um, he helped kids withhomework.
Um, he always sat with the kidswho were sitting alone because
he wanted them to feel like likethey had friends or um just
(07:50):
someone they could lean on.
Um give him something, just eventhe smallest thing, he would be
so grateful.
Like you'd just give him amillion dollars.
He was just always so thankful.
Um, but he he always knew likewhen someone needed, you know,
the light, like he could tellwhen I was in a bad mood, and he
(08:11):
would come and joke around withme or or try to brighten my day,
and that's just who he was.
He just he wanted to reach outand make other people happy.
That was his personality.
SPEAKER_00 (08:23):
So you saw in him, sounds like his entire life, he
was always that kind of youngman.
Always, and so now think aboutthat.
Carrie's already, if we're R2A2in things, listen to what she's
already said.
You know, he didn't wait to lookfor an opportunity to serve, he
(08:48):
took advantage of an opportunityto serve.
He moved, he he took thatinitiative.
It could have been band, itcould have been athletics, it
could have been UILcompetitions, but it just so
happens that FFA kind of becamehis vehicle to share those
(09:09):
talents that he had, if that'sfair.
SPEAKER_06 (09:12):
It's fair, but you you also have to think about the
teachers that were involved inhelping him find what he was
passionate about.
Because it's those teachers, um,they gave him the confidence and
the purpose to pursue thoseopportunities in order for him
to find his passion in the FFA.
You know, they were they werehuge role models in him finding
(09:35):
his purpose.
I don't I don't think he reallyfound his purpose or what he
wanted to do in life until hefound the FFA.
SPEAKER_00 (09:42):
So the teachers, thank you.
So the teachers, they all kindof helped navigate him.
And then he had these instincts,these bents.
And that that FFA programallowed him to do those things.
Yeah, it's my understanding thathe did that right there in
y'all's hometown ofJacksborough.
SPEAKER_06 (10:01):
He did.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (10:03):
Did he like I heard that he tutored kids?
SPEAKER_06 (10:05):
He did.
He even helped them with rangeand you know, I don't even know
the name of it, but all thegrasses and everything that um
all the competitions that hedid, you know, he helped um
other kids get to where theyneeded to be.
And it wasn't even about thembeating him.
He didn't care, he just wantedto help them be the best that
(10:26):
they could too, even if theybeat him, you know.
SPEAKER_00 (10:29):
So he he liked to help other people.
SPEAKER_06 (10:32):
He did.
SPEAKER_00 (10:33):
He he was an encourager, it sounds like.
Yeah, I kind of picked up thathe was an encourager.
SPEAKER_06 (10:41):
For sure.
SPEAKER_00 (10:43):
We're gonna talk a lot more about.
I just wrote all these thingsdown about his passion.
I love the word passion, by theway.
And and he had it.
And you know, maybe one thingI've never shared with you, but
I'll share with you.
I think one of the things thatwhen you look at Johnny, and
just look at those two smilingfaces behind you there.
(11:04):
When when you looked at Johnny,not only did he have a passion,
but I think his passion wasdriven by a sense of gratitude.
SPEAKER_02 (11:14):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (11:15):
Somewhere along the way, this young man knew that
that he had a life to begrateful for.
And so what did he wanted toshare that with other people?
He did, he wanted to empowerthem.
So, you know, I want to saythank you to you because I know
as parents, you know, it's toughto raise kids.
(11:37):
It is a and you've got abeautiful family.
You've got a daughter, an olderdaughter, and then you've got a
younger son.
Uh, tell us a little bit aboutyour family.
SPEAKER_06 (11:46):
Well, the greatest gift to me, and honestly, my
purpose in life is being a mom.
I mean, that that has been thegreatest gift and in my purpose
in life.
And um, my daughter, Alexis, sheis uh 24 and she's a dental
hygienist and you know, thrivingout in Decatur, Texas.
And then we have Grant, who is10, and I truly feel that God
(12:13):
gifted us Grant.
Um, because Grant was around ayear old when Johnny died.
And if it weren't for Grant andAlexis, I don't know if I would
have had I would have had asmuch joy after John passed,
because it's a very traumaticthing to happen to you to lose a
(12:34):
child.
It's probably one of the hardestthings um a parent can go
through is losing a child.
And Grant was at the age wherehe was just so young and so
happy that he kept us smilingand he kept us going.
And and so between you know,Grant and Lexi, they've been a
true blessing, you know, theyreally have.
SPEAKER_00 (12:57):
Well, I can tell you it was an honor when we had Lexi
as one of our foundationambassadors, and it just it made
me smile to watch her doing herthing, and she did it.
The the thing that I alwaysappreciated was she was never
trying to be Johnny.
Yeah, she was being the bestversion of herself, and I love
(13:17):
that by the way.
And it's been an honor to watchall of your kids growing up, and
y'all are doing a great job, bythe way.
I just want to say thank you forthe fact that I believe a little
bit of who Johnny was, somebodyplanted some of those seeds in
his life.
SPEAKER_03 (13:33):
Thank you.
SPEAKER_00 (13:33):
So tell me, um, let's let's go to that day real
quick.
I don't want to spend a lot oftime on it, but tell us about
what happened that day and howyou got the news.
SPEAKER_06 (13:45):
You're going deep on this one, Aaron.
So it was Thanksgiving weekend,and we were prepared.
We were in Louisiana forThanksgiving, and Johnny asked
to stay behind because he wantedto go uh to a goat classic, um,
a goat show in Haiko.
And so he stayed behind with myparents, and um we were getting
(14:10):
ready.
It was the Friday night, and wewere getting ready the next
morning to head back home.
And Johnny texted me about fivein the morning and told me that
he was getting ready to leaveand you know that he would drive
safe and he'd let me know whenhe got there.
Well, I put the phone down, Iwent back to sleep, I got up, I
(14:31):
went downstairs and met witheveryone, and then I came
upstairs at my in-laws' house topack and get ready uh to go
home.
And I was taking um a shower andmy husband came walking in, and
I could just tell there wassomething wrong, just the look
on his face, and he normallyplays practical jokes on me and
(14:52):
and you know, tells me certainthings, and I'm like, Yeah,
right, whatever.
Well, he told me, you know,there's been an accident, and I
immediately thought, you know,my parents or something like
that, because they're gettingolder, and they said Johnny's
been in an accident and hedidn't survive.
And I just immediately thought,there's no way, how, why, you
(15:17):
know, and so I just felt my legsgo, they they went numb.
And my mother-in-law camerunning in and she just grabbed
me, and she'd also lost a son,and she just said, You know, we
have the same heart.
I don't have the answers, but wehave the same heart.
And she knew what I would gothrough losing a child, and so
(15:41):
but he was he was driving um tothe goat classic, and he fell
asleep and ran off the road andhit a tree.
And it was very early in themorning.
The um the highway department,they um they showed up at my
parents' house knocking on thedoor um and just told them what
(16:01):
happened.
And my dad immediately drove tothe scene and was there every
step of the way until we couldget home.
SPEAKER_00 (16:10):
What day was that, Carrie?
SPEAKER_06 (16:12):
That was November 26, 2016.
Johnny was 17 years old.
So this November will be nineyears.
SPEAKER_00 (16:31):
So, um, as a director of the Texas FFA
Foundation, I had theopportunity to work with the
Ford Scholars that year.
And I remember spending sometime with Johnny, and that's why
I've never forgot his smile.
Because he's just alwayssmiling.
(16:54):
And I remember that year that uhthat that happened.
I'd been asked to go to LasVegas and be on a panel, keynote
speaker panel for theInternational Association of
Fairs and Expos.
Here are all these people fromall over the world from all
these fairs and expos.
(17:14):
And I'm in a and I'm a room fullof just empty chairs.
November 26, 2016.
And I'm sitting here thinkingabout the fact that I've got to
get up and give a talk, but thewhole time I'm there, the only
thing going through my mind wasthat was the day that they were
(17:35):
gonna lay Johnny to rest.
And as adults, as parents, we'realways trying to give our kids
tips.
Please do this, please do that.
And and all of a sudden, thisthing in our world came out
called social media, where youcould go online and you could
(17:56):
tell jokes, or you could debatepolitics, or you could talk
about food, you could talk aboutdrama in your community, or
drama in your family, or dramain relationships.
You you've got this incredibleplatform where you could say
anything you want to say.
And I used to tell the kids, Isaid, when I go on your social
(18:20):
media, I ought to know whatyou're an expert on based on
what three things I see themost.
(18:43):
He'd have been a Twitter guy.
I mean, he'd have been a uh aTikTok guy now, it would have
been around.
But every time you logged in andyou saw Johnny Cowan and you saw
his voice, and you saw what hewas promoting, he was always
promoting FFA, agriculture,leadership, and his family.
(19:08):
Everything he posted about hadone of those elements, and it
was consistent.
And I'll never forget that day.
I will never forget that day.
I said, at 17 years old, JohnnyCowan lived his brand.
He lived his brand.
(19:29):
When you tuned in to see what hewas doing, that was his brand.
Agriculture, youth, leadership,and family.
And to this day, people thatknow me on social media, that's
my handle is live your brand.
And I tell people, I take nocredit for it.
I take no credit for it.
All I've tried to do isencourage kids to do it, but
(19:51):
Johnny did it.
And because Johnny did, now weget to point to Johnny and say,
here's an example.
Live like Johnny, live yourbrand.
Because in doing so, you'regonna encourage somebody else,
you're gonna equip somebodyelse, and you're gonna empower
somebody else.
(20:11):
And that's what Johnny did.
And I'm fixing to give you anexample of it.
Carrie, shortly after that,y'all created the Live Like
Johnny organization.
SPEAKER_03 (20:24):
We did.
SPEAKER_00 (20:24):
And you had some missions behind that, some
projects behind that.
Tell us a little bit about theLive Like Johnny organization
and what y'all's focus is on,and why you've identified these
things that you're focused on.
SPEAKER_06 (20:40):
So when Johnny first passed away, people were sending
money into the bank instead offlowers.
I mean, we had tons of flowers,and people just started sending
in money, and we were like, whatare we gonna do with this money?
And so we started a scholarshipprogram.
And the reason we did this wasbecause preparing for the
(21:05):
funeral, I went digging throughsome boxes, I went digging
through his room, I foundbinders and note cards and all
kinds of stuff that he'd justwritten down, taking notes at
leadership retreats as a Fordscholar.
You know, he wrote his missiondown, um, he had speeches in
there.
And so we took everything thatwe found and created his
(21:28):
mission, which was somethingthat he he basically created the
organization, if you want to behonest.
SPEAKER_03 (21:34):
Right.
SPEAKER_06 (21:34):
He created the organization, he he had
everything in there for anorganization.
And I didn't originally want tostart an organization because I
didn't feel like I had enoughinformation to run an
organization, right?
I didn't have, I wasn't equippedto run an organization.
(21:57):
But with good mentors andeverything that we had found of
Johnny's and the dreams that hehad, we wanted to keep those
dreams and those memories alive.
Um, Johnny, one of his missionstatements, um, said that he
found his purpose, his passion,and what he wished to pursue.
(22:21):
And he wanted to end his FFAcareer knowing that he had left
a meaningful impact on someone'slife.
And he's worked countlessamounts of hours doing what he
can to inspire others.
And so that's what we want to dowith the organization.
You know, we we want to leave ameaningful, meaningful impact in
(22:44):
the lives of others.
Um, we want to change lives andmake a difference and do
everything that he wanted to do.
If he were, if he were stillhere, he would.
He would be doing more than whatwe were doing, what we're doing
now, honestly.
But we um so we give outscholarships um to help kids who
(23:05):
are lower income and who needthe most support.
Um, we also have a jacketprogram.
And the reason we have thejacket program, it's when Johnny
went on a leadership retreat, heum used some of his money that
he wasn't supposed to spendpurchasing FFA jackets for two
(23:27):
girls um that couldn't affordthem.
And you know, at first I wasangry with them thinking he'd
blown his money because he hedid that occasionally on things
he thought he needed.
And when I got on to him and youknow, he told me, you know, what
he did, you know, of course heput me in my place because I
immediately was humbled and justhappy that he would do something
(23:51):
like that for someone else.
And so we carry out thattradition in um in memory of
him, just purchasing jackets forkids um who can't afford them.
They're their FFA teachersnominate students and we gift
them a jacket, and then um we'vealso partnered with Kubota
dealers, and um students can gointo a Kubota dealership and
(24:15):
recite the creed and actuallyearn a jacket.
So we not only have that, but wehave a mentor program called C
Support, Encourage, and Engage.
And so um students who need helpwith essays and college
applications and things likethat, we're there to support
them.
So we have three differentpillars there that um we think
(24:42):
really honor John and who he wasand how he lived his life.
We're just carrying out what hewhat he started.
SPEAKER_00 (24:51):
This is why I find this so inspiring, by the way.
You know, Tom Ziggler, um, Iknow Carrie knows Tom.
He's a friend of ours, and he'son the Texas FFA Foundation
board.
His father was the late ZigZiggler, great, great
motivational speaker andencourager.
And I love what Zig said.
Uh Zig and Tom said, we're allgonna leave a legacy.
(25:12):
Everybody, everybody's gonnaleave a legacy.
You're either gonna leave it bydesign or by default.
And they want us to leave alegacy by design.
And when I think of Johnny, Ican tell you, I don't think
Johnny really realized at 17that he was living such an
(25:35):
incredible legacy already.
The fact that he was tutoringyounger kids, encouraging other
kids, telling other kids, let meget you in that FFA jacket.
Let me tell you what thatjacket's done for me.
Let me get you in there so itcan do that for you.
Let me mentor you.
Let me, you know, when I thinkat 17 years old that he was
(25:56):
doing that, that's why I tellpeople this world would be a lot
better off if we could all justlive a little more like Johnny.
If we could just live likeJohnny, to be that encourager,
to be that mentor, uh, to bethat person that opens those
operations, tries to get peopleinto those doors of opportunity.
That is why personally, and Iguess we should go ahead and
(26:20):
divulge.
Uh, I'm a board member of theLive Like Johnny organization,
and I am so proud to be a boardmember.
I am honored.
I don't look at my, I mean, Iknow I've got a fiduciary
responsibility, and that is myjob as a board member.
But I'm gonna tell yousomething.
As a human being, I'm moredriven by the fact that I get to
(26:42):
participate in Johnny's legacy.
I get a chance to encourageanother kid, to help another kid
get into a jacket, to helpanother kid be mentored.
Not because what we're doing,but because that's what Johnny
did.
SPEAKER_05 (26:58):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (26:59):
I just, to me, that is energizing.
You know, in the foundationambassador program, I know Lexi
probably told you we got acouple of quotes.
One of them is, you know, whenyour values are clear, your
choices are easy.
When your values are clear, yourchoices are easy.
And the other one is the essenceof leadership.
(27:19):
The essence of leadership is toplant trees under whose shade
you may never sit.
And when I think of Johnny'slegacy, and I think about the
words of encouragement for kidsthat might not get a lot of
words of encouragement, when Ithink that there's a kid that
may get in that FFA jacket, andinside that jacket they're gonna
(27:41):
find a note, which I want you totalk about.
They might find a note fromJohnny, they're gonna find a
patch, and that jacket may oneday end up in a grandparent's
closet, and their grandkids maycome in and say, What's this?
Oh, what's this patch in here?
(28:05):
And that person's gonna get totalk about Johnny Cow.
That's a legacy, and how theygot that jacket that they
earned, by the way.
They had to go and say thecreed.
And you know, they somebodybelieved in them enough to say,
hey, we think that if we can getyou in this jacket, you know.
(28:31):
Another thing that I wish I wishJohnny, I could talk to you
right now because I would tellyou this.
You know, as adults, this is ourjob.
Our job as adults are to createopportunities.
That's our job.
Students, your responsibility isto determine the outcome.
(28:52):
Johnny was going to encourageyou, Johnny was gonna empower
you, Johnny was gonna equip you,but you're not entitled to
success.
The other thing that I know thatJohnny did that I want to talk
about is I know that he workedhard.
And the reason I know he workedhard is because of every story
(29:13):
I've ever heard about him andhis dedication to goat showing.
Is that not true?
Was he a hard worker?
SPEAKER_06 (29:23):
He was.
He was out there every daywalking his goats and putting
them on the treadmill, settingthem up, showing other kids
around there how to set up theirgoats.
And you know, he was he workedvery hard.
Everything, everything he everdid, he worked hard.
He had a very good work ethic.
(29:44):
He really did.
SPEAKER_00 (29:46):
I hope the kids and I hope all the students who are
listening to this podcast willwill hear all this.
Uh I've not heard one thing yetthat Johnny was handed.
Everything I've heard is thatJohnny looked looked for a way
to serve.
He looked for a way toencourage.
(30:08):
And he knew that to accomplishall of these things that
required hard work.
One more thing that I know aboutJohnny is uh he thought big.
And everybody knows me knowsthat's one of my that's another
one of my big sayings.
Think big.
If you can't think big, youcan't inspire big.
If you can't think big, thepeople in your care can never be
(30:28):
big.
You've got to be able to thinkbig to get others to think big.
Part of the Ford LeadershipScholars Program is you have to
execute a community serviceproject.
Carrie, tell me, what did JohnnyCallan do for the community of
Jacksboro?
SPEAKER_06 (30:46):
Well, he designed and raised the funds for and
built a community dock at ourlake here in Jacksboro.
So he raised more funds thanwere needed.
Um he used straws to actuallydesign the dock in our kitchen.
He hot glued straws together andbuilt the dock exactly how he
(31:08):
wanted it.
And he met with a designer, andum there's different businessmen
in the community who had builtdocks or had docks on their
property, and he went and metwith all of them and um he met
with several different um peoplehere in town, you know,
commissioners, the city ofJacksboro, and and helped raise
(31:29):
those funds.
And he designed it, raised thefunds, ordered all the material,
and then a week later is when hepassed away.
So the community came togetherbecause the materials were
delivered, the design was ready,the money was there, and the
community came together and theyum they built the dock that he
(31:50):
had designed.
It was pretty cool.
SPEAKER_00 (31:53):
Where's that dock at?
Tell us so if anybody's everlistening, if you're ever
passing through Jacksboro, youyou need to stop.
Seriously, you need to stop.
You need to go see thisbeautiful, beautiful dock.
You need to see the dedicatedplaque that they put there for
Johnny.
But Carrie, where's that docklocated?
SPEAKER_06 (32:14):
So we have a lake here in Jacksboro out on Highway
59.
So just outside of Jacksboro,off of 199, you can go north on
Highway 59, and it's just acouple miles out there on that
road.
SPEAKER_00 (32:28):
And I also want to say this about the day that that
dock was dedicated.
Johnny had a mentor for thisproject, and there was something
that he wanted to go along withthis dock, if I recall.
Is that right, Carrie?
SPEAKER_06 (32:44):
He wanted a fireworks show, and I was like,
no.
I mean, he was wanting to cookfood for the community, have a
fireworks show.
I was like, John, it's gonnacost money, it's it's too much,
we don't need to do all of that.
And and we did.
We had the best fireworks showum at the dock when we um once
(33:06):
it was built, we um had adedication, and at the end of
it, we had a big firework show,and it it was beautiful and a
lot of pinks.
He would have been proud.
SPEAKER_00 (33:22):
By the way, Carrie keeps saying the word pink.
I want to correct her on that.
SPEAKER_05 (33:29):
It's funny that you say that because I'm always
correcting everyone else.
SPEAKER_00 (33:34):
It's not pink, Carrie.
What is it?
SPEAKER_05 (33:36):
It's magenta.
SPEAKER_00 (33:37):
Why is it magenta?
SPEAKER_05 (33:39):
Well, because it's more manly.
It's purple and pink, but it'snot pink.
SPEAKER_00 (33:46):
And Johnny's the one that said magenta.
Magenta.
SPEAKER_05 (33:50):
Not pink.
SPEAKER_00 (33:53):
There are so many incredible stories of legacy
that have come out of thismoment on November 26th.
I remember the day we were therefilming for your first video,
and Tom Ziegler was there.
He was, and I never forgot thatday because Tom was wearing,
(34:15):
y'all didn't coordinate it.
No, but Tom was wearing a pinkmagenta tie.
And I said, Wow, Tom, I said,You and Carrie, y'all
everybody's got coordinatedhere.
And he said, No, I didn't knowthat.
And then he told me, he said,Aaron, have I ever told you
about my ties?
And I said, No.
(34:37):
And apparently, whenever ZigZiggler knew that the time was
coming that he needed to passthe company on, he told Tom, I
need you to take on thisresponsibility.
And Tom said, Dad, I can't doit.
I'm not you, I'm not Zig Ziglar.
And Zig got up and he left theroom and he came back and he
(34:57):
gave Tom a box.
And when Tom opened it up, itwas a box of ties.
And he said, Son, whenever yougo out and give a talk or do a
workshop or make a presentation,he said, just put one of these
on and I'll always be with you.
SPEAKER_02 (35:16):
That's amazing.
SPEAKER_00 (35:19):
Every time I see magenta, or that sunrise or that
sunset that you described.
SPEAKER_02 (35:30):
Or even if I'm out in the woods hunting and I see a
red bird, I think of Johnny Cow.
SPEAKER_00 (35:42):
And I think that's God's way of reminding us that
there's an incredible legacythere.
That we get to smile and talkabout s'mores and chocolate.
SPEAKER_06 (35:54):
Even when I I'm having a bad day, I can take a
walk and I'll find a whitefeather just laying there, you
know, on the ground.
And I I think of Johnny.
So there's reminders all aroundus if we just take a moment to
get away from the busyness ofthe world and just breathe and
enjoy nature.
So many blessings around us.
SPEAKER_00 (36:16):
On Friday, this this episode will air before the
event that I'm about to telleverybody about it.
On Friday, October 3rd, uh,there will be a third annual
clay chute to benefit the LiveLike Johnny organization.
Um, I heard through thegrapevine, I I've not confirmed
this yet, but I've heard thatthere's going to be some Live
Like Johnny, some uh live yourbrand caps.
(36:38):
So hopefully those will beavailable through the Live Like
Johnny website.
SPEAKER_06 (36:44):
I think they will be.
SPEAKER_00 (36:45):
Okay, just throwing that out there.
Uh, or if you'd like to support,obviously uh you can live like
Johnny with us.
And you know, what do we sayabout philanthropy?
I love bragging about Johnnybecause we say that philanthropy
is the four T's (37:01):
time, talent, treasure, or testimony.
Some people can give their time,some people can give their
talent, some have treasure, theycan give you treasure.
And sometimes people just standup and share their testimony.
Johnny Cowan did all four.
Johnny Cowan was truly aphilanthropist.
And now we get an opportunity tolive his legacy while we live
(37:25):
our legacy, while we live ourbrand through events like the
clay chute on October 3rd.
So I just wanted to throw thatplug out there.
Um, but Carrie, real quick, alot of this story is about
Johnny, but there's also a partof the story that's about you.
(37:46):
A loving mom, a woman of faith,but got hit with right between
the eyes with a prettychallenging life experience.
And I know you've been on ourGrowing Our Future leadership
series before, where we talkedabout the importance of faith
and leadership, the importanceof resiliency.
(38:08):
Can you share with us realquick?
Just share with us theimportance of resiliency and how
you get through tough times thatyou've had to deal with.
SPEAKER_06 (38:20):
Well, uh we all get a choice of how we react to the
circumstances in our lives.
And my life hasn't been perfect.
Um, I've had a lot of things,bad choices.
Um it just hasn't been easy.
And I learned to rely on God.
And I think all of all of thethings that have happened to me
(38:42):
in my life, whether randomthings or from my own choices,
um it's built my relationshipwith God to be able to endure
the pain of losing a child.
And I honestly feel that God hasbeen with me the entire time.
I mean, he's given me signs,he's given me strength, um, he's
(39:06):
given me peace and joy when Ididn't think I would be able to
have it.
So um it's honestly my faiththat's that's gotten me through
it.
With without my faith and myprayer life, I don't think I
would have been able to survivethe pain of a tragedy like that.
SPEAKER_00 (39:29):
I just wanted to share that.
I wanted you to share that.
Thank you for sharing thatbecause it's not easy.
It's not easy.
But I and as a parent, agrandparent, I've told you many
times I can't imagine.
I I cannot imagine.
But when I get to see Carrie'sstrength, when I get to hear
(39:53):
Carrie's testimony, andeverybody's got a testimony, by
the way.
Everybody watching this,everybody's got a testimony.
But when I get to see Carrie andI hear her testimony and I see
her faith, I'm I'm R2A2 in that.
I'm recognizing it, I'm relatingto it, I'm trying, I see where
I've got to do a better jobsometimes of assimilating it,
(40:16):
and I've got to do a better jobsometimes of applying it.
But Carrie, the reason I wantedyou to share that is because it
takes courage to share atestimony.
It takes courage to have thatmoment of vulnerability to say,
here was a time in life that Igot knocked down.
(40:37):
But guess what?
You didn't get the best of me.
SPEAKER_06 (40:39):
Right.
And, you know, they say if youwant to know where to find your
contribution to the world, lookat your wounds.
And when you learn how to healyour wounds, teach others.
And to me, losing Johnny, it's awound, it's a deep cut, it's a
broken heart.
And um, that's my goal is toreach out to others and teach
(41:02):
them, you know, how to stilllive their life with with joy
and learn how to adapt to a newlife without your child because
you're gonna see them again.
SPEAKER_00 (41:13):
Well, that's what let me let's jump on that for
just a second because I wanteverybody to know this is
another example of what Carrie'sdone.
Um, Carrie, you know, I read abook one time, The Ragamuffin
Gospel by Brendan Manning.
And Brendan Manning talks abouthow he said man is the only one
that can loot, can misuse ahurt.
God wants to use a hurt.
(41:33):
And what Carrie has done is she,by sharing her testimony and
studying, she's gone throughsome personal training, she's
gone through some legacytraining, she's gone through
some grief training, grieftraining.
Um, because she's done that,she's written a book.
Uh, she's got you know thisincredible uh you know battery
(41:57):
that you've built up ofresources that you can share
now.
So now you're you're kind oflike that person that people can
reach out to and say, listen,I've been there.
SPEAKER_06 (42:07):
And I'm not perfect, I don't have all the answers,
but that's that's who God uses,right?
Broken imperfect people who arelearning how to figure things
out.
I mean, I I feel like God canuse me to help others in those
ways.
And so yeah, it's not easy, butit's what I want to do.
SPEAKER_02 (42:27):
Is there anything else you want us to know about
Johnny?
I miss him.
Me too.
SPEAKER_00 (42:39):
You know, the other day we were on the phone and you
said something that really shookme.
You said this would have beenabout the year he'd have been
running for state office.
SPEAKER_02 (42:51):
I think he'd have won.
Nah.
SPEAKER_00 (42:56):
He'd have been national president.
SPEAKER_05 (42:58):
He would have been that was his dream.
He was gonna become a nationalMFA officer.
SPEAKER_00 (43:02):
Yeah, he'd have been national president.
I've said it many times and Iwill say it right now one more
time.
Uh I wouldn't have mind been ata show somewhere and Johnny
said, Let me introduce you to mymom, let me introduce you to
your my dad, or whatever.
(43:23):
I would have taken it.
I don't know that I don't knowthat I like necessarily that
I've gotten to know Carrie andher family the way that I have.
Um, because I'd give it all backto have Johnny back.
Because like you said, I'mmissing.
But I'm also inspired by what Iget to see that you're doing,
(43:43):
that the Live Like Johnnyorganization's doing.
And, you know, if anything, I Idon't know.
Maybe what we need to do is weneed to try to get to the
governor or something, but weneed to do a live like Johnny
Day.
And maybe we could have a livelike Johnny Day, or maybe Texas
FFA or something.
We got to figure this out.
There's got to be some way.
(44:04):
But at least this platform givesus an opportunity to say that
there was one FFA member inJacksborough, Texas, that
believed in his community.
He believed in agriculture, hebelieved in FFA.
He believed that he, if he lenthimself and poured a little bit
of himself and a little bit ofhis entire into others, that he
(44:29):
could make a positivedifference.
And I would tell you that he hasand that he will continue to do
so.
Carrie, thank you for joining ustoday.
SPEAKER_02 (44:41):
Oh, thank you, Aaron.
SPEAKER_00 (44:43):
And I hope that we're able to capture this one
moment to share the incrediblestory of Johnny and what he
meant and what he did, and thefact that we've got things that
are ongoing to keep that legacygoing.
And by the way, it's just likebeing a Ford scholar.
Mitchell Dell and I talk aboutthis all the time, who was with
Ford Motor Company and helped uswith the program.
(45:06):
You don't have to be a Fordscholar to be a Ford scholar.
Anybody that hears this podcastcould go back and do a community
service project.
SPEAKER_02 (45:13):
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (45:14):
You don't have to be a foundation ambassador to be an
ambassador to your localcommunity, leadership, or
agriculture.
But I'm glad we have theseprograms, and I'm glad that we
have Live Like Johnny to sharewith others what it means when
we say live like Johnny.
Because that's pretty good.
(45:36):
Yeah.
All right, Carrie.
So I'm gonna ask you one lastquestion, fun question.
And I might even ask thistwofold just to see if you know.
So everybody gets a fun questionat the end.
So I'll ask you personallyfirst.
What's the best concert you'veever been to?
SPEAKER_06 (45:53):
Oh, the best.
So my first concert was ClayWalker.
I was probably 17.
But the best concert.
Okay, so my husband and I boughta new vehicle.
And when we were buying thisvehicle, we hit it off at the
(46:15):
sales rep.
And he said, Hey, y'all want togo to this concert with us
tonight?
It's at this little hotel.
We were like, Okay, you know, wewe didn't know who we were going
to see, we didn't know what toexpect at all.
We get there and they tell usit's Gary Stewart.
We're waiting and we're waiting,and then finally, in Gary
(46:36):
Stewart style, he comes in andlate and maybe had a little bit
too much to drink.
But there were only 15 to 20people in that room, and he sang
to us for hours and sat with us,visited with us, he signed
autographs on my back, he keptkissing me on the cheek.
(46:56):
It was just so fun because yougot to really know who Gary
Stewart was.
It was just a lot of fun.
Yeah.
I've never had an experiencequite like that.
I've always been to you know,concerts that were really big
and oh yeah, got to meet thesinger, but this was this was
very intimate and personal, andit was it was fun.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (47:16):
Yeah.
What about Johnny?
Do you do you happen to know didJohnny ever say that there was a
concert or anything that everreally stood out to him?
SPEAKER_06 (47:25):
No, I don't think Johnny ever went to a concert.
SPEAKER_00 (47:29):
Well, I'm sure he went to the FFA concerts.
I was once, yeah.
But I was just curious if therewas ever anything that he had we
know that he liked Ron Burgundybecause I meant Anchorman, I
meant, I gotta tell y'all, themore I've learned about Johnny,
the more I like him because hehad this really cool sense of
humor.
And so I knew that he was ananchor man guy.
SPEAKER_06 (47:49):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (47:50):
And that's why I was curious if he ever had any
concerts that just he talkedabout maybe more than others.
SPEAKER_06 (47:55):
Well, let's let's remember that he he was a boy,
so he didn't talk a lot orembellish on a lot of the fun
things that he did, and he wasvery focused.
Um, but he he did have a lot offun.
He he did a lot of experimentsand um crazy things.
Um, but yeah, he had fun too.
(48:16):
He wasn't all, you know, hewasn't always making an impact.
He was out having fun too.
SPEAKER_00 (48:22):
That's that's why I shared that, because that's what
I'm saying.
The more I've learned about himand his sense of humor, that's
you know, I think that's whatbrought him happiness was being
happy with others.
SPEAKER_06 (48:36):
That's what drew people to him, too, was his
personality.
You know, he was he was alwayscracking jokes and falling down
to make people laugh.
He just he wanted to make peoplehappy, so he was just a
jokester.
SPEAKER_00 (48:50):
So one of the things about the reason I like to ask
the question about concerts isbecause concerts are made up of
music, they're made up of lyricsand they're made up of memories.
SPEAKER_02 (49:08):
Johnny gave us a lot of beautiful music.
He did.
And we get to play it on heartstrings and we get to share it
with others.
SPEAKER_00 (49:20):
Um thank you for joining us today, Carrie.
Um again, Eric, ladies andgentlemen, thank you for
stopping by.
Um I hope if anything, everybodythat watches this podcast walks
away and says, you know, I Iwant to live a little bit more
like Johnny.
If if this young man could havethis impact, imagine what it
(49:42):
would be like if everybody thatwatched this podcast went out
and did the same thing.
Oh my gosh, what an incredibleand beautiful legacy that would
be.
SPEAKER_06 (49:51):
Wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone
lived like Johnny?
SPEAKER_00 (49:55):
It would be.
It would be so good.
We'd be laughing, we'd besmiling, we'd be encouraging.
Anyway, all right, until we meetagain, everybody go out, do
something great for somebodyelse.
Heck, if anything, after thispodcast, go live like Johnny.
Carrie, thanks again for joiningus.
SPEAKER_06 (50:14):
Thank you, Erin.
SPEAKER_01 (50:20):
We hope you've enjoyed this episode of the
Growing Our Future podcast.
This show is sponsored by theTexas FFA Foundation, whose
mission is to strengthenagricultural science education
so students can develop theirpotential for personal growth,
career success, and leadershipin a global marketplace.
Learn more at mytexasfa.org.
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