He’s a quiet, meditative Baby Boomer who spent his formative years in Sandusky and Cleveland, Ohio. The son of a war veteran and the second-born of six children, Samuel Thomas Irby Jr. was a married father of three when he decided to move across the country and put his refrigeration and air-conditioning skills to use in a state that required plenty of both: Texas.

Today, more than 30 years later, Irby is a married father of four (two sons and two daughters) and the grandfather of 12. He’s a trophy-winning chess champion, a fan of action flicks and enjoys travel, poker tournaments and soul music, live or otherwise.

Newly retired from his profession as a building engineer, he’s maintained his laid-back persona, rewarded his family with love and generosity and remains one of the coolest and kindest men on the planet. The man I’m referring to is my father. And since tomorrow is Father’s Day, I thought I would ask the one man who raised, believed in and supported me to give his own observations and advice on…..well, being our Dad.

Which generation has it easier, in your opinion: mine of the ones your grandchildren are a part of? Was it harder to raise black children earlier or do you think it would be more difficult now?

“Well, even though there seem to be a lot more crazy people that parents have to watch out for and worry about, it seems like it’s easier to raise them now because there are a lot of activities that keep them active and their minds busy. Also, as a minority today, my grandkids don’t have the resentment that my kids experienced when the Jim Crow laws were first gone. There’s still some older whites who feel that way, but the younger generation is more receptive to diversity and it’s easier nowadays for black kids to get ahead.”

Was being a father and grandfather everything you thought it would be?

“Well, back then I didn’t ever think I would have kids, and I certainly didn’t imagine any grandkids as a teenager or anything, but most of you are doing pretty good and all of the [grand]kids seem like they’re on the path to being decent people. That’s what’s important to me, the spiritual aspect.”

Do you see any of your traits in any of your adult children?

“Y’all are different from me, personality-wise and don’t think the way that I think, but mostly turned out well. As for who you all look like, people say Kyonna looks the most like me and that Michael looks a lot like me. You and Samuel mostly resemble your mom.”

Here’s what I’ve always been curious to know from your perspective: what’s it like for you being Lorrie’s dad?

“It’s very good to be a parent of a child that is able to make a success of themselves. You get to enjoy the fruits of their labor, like tagging along to concerts, being able to go to red carpets and meet celebrities (laughs). Makes life easier, especially since you’re able to handle yourself well as a person and a mother to live independently.”

Happy Father’s Day Daddy, now and forever. Love you!