Burkey Green
| Relationship | Randy speaks about Burkey Green as his maternal grandfather, using family memories both to argue that Burkey cared for Randy's mother and to criticize his behavior at a 1957 family supper. |
|---|---|
| Sentiment | Mixed |
| Assessment | Randy says he believes Burkey loved his mother, but he also criticizes Burkey for angrily refusing a visiting relative's request for sour milk. |
Burkey Green was Randy Johnson's maternal grandfather, whom Randy calls "papa." Randy uses family memories to argue that Burkey cared about Randy's mother, even though she believed her father disliked her, while also criticizing one story about Burkey's behavior after his maternal grandmother's funeral.
Randy's recollection
Randy says his mother disliked her father and thought he hated her, but he disagrees and says he believes Burkey loved her. He points to Burkey moving in with Randy's parents during the last month of the pregnancy and going to the hospital when Randy was born as evidence of that care.
Relationship to Randy
The video is a personal family commentary, so Burkey Green appears only through Randy's memories and interpretation. Randy does not describe Burkey as a public figure; he describes him as a grandfather who was present around Randy's birth.
Sour milk account
Randy says that after his maternal grandmother's funeral in April 1957, four of her brothers each gave Burkey $100. At supper, one visiting relative politely asked for sour milk, and Burkey angrily told him he did not need it. Randy says the room went quiet and criticizes his grandfather's response as unfair.
Related articles
Source note: The facts come from Randy's recollection and stories attributed to his mother. His conclusions about Burkey's feelings and conduct are family interpretations, not independently verified findings.
References
- Randy Johnson, Randy Johnson video AXgeHSPoef8 (randy commentary), archived transcript.
- Randy Johnson, Sour Milk (randy commentary), archived transcript.