Vincent Wycoff Jr

Angelina W. Diombokho Here are some of the fondest memories I recall of him. Renee and Keenan during our young age, we always called him "Dooner" and played with our first dog "Shep". We'd bet who could catch the biggest crawfish etc. and fight all the time. Since he was the oldest boy, one day I was beating him up so bad, daddy came running with his belt and I took off running. Thinking because he was old I could outrun him, but to my amazement, he was a much faster runner, and that belt caught my leg and I tripped! Other fun times were playing many silly games on the phone, like calling random people "Bart Simpson" style, laughing and giggling then hanging up. We would also pick juicy blackberries so mom could make her delicious berry dumpling or at cousin Clara's to pick the biggest red, orange, and yellow plums. Sometimes we would even have tea parties with kool-aid and penny moon cookies. Like most boys, he wanted to be a basketball star, often playing in the back yard for hours with friends. Sadly, years later his dreams were dashed when he tore several ligaments in his knee and suffered serious painful back problems, (ooch)! So he turned his focus on his love of food, especially grilling. Many days he would wake up early to cook a big pot of beans, cornbread or oxtails with rice, gravy, yams, and collard greens, and wash it all down with a pitcher of kool-aid while watching his favorite ball game. Approximately ten years ago he converted to Islam, but he never could resist the impulse to buy a slab of ribs, chicken, and links to BBQ. While the ribs were cooking, he would whip up some potato salad and open a can of ranch-style beans. He always cooked everything from scratch. While relaxing and enjoying his newly built deck with his dog "bow legs" by his side, listening to his favorite jazz tunes or watching tv. We learned our techniques from our mother, who was a master cook, and to this day we measure great tasting food to hers. But the most memorable fun times were on the weekends or holidays. After playing at home, we would go across the street to cousin Clara's house. With five growing teen boys, she would start baking cakes and pies the day before, sometimes as many as ten each, and early the next morning start grilling nonstop. As relatives and friends sat under the trees enjoying the smell of mesquite in the air, and the occasional cool breeze listening to the Temptations, Smoky, Stevie, Aretha, and others playing til late at night. The guys played dominoes at four or five tables, talking smack as we watched, sometimes they would even let us play. Those fun-filled days are now only etched in our collective memories. Others included Uncle Clarence from Shreveport, who was a great player too. He and "Dooner" would spend hours playing game after game. Junior thought he was a great player too, but sadly Uncle Clarence beat us 100% of the time. As lifelong Dallas Cowboy fans, during their hay-days of coach Tom Landry, Thanksgiving was very special, we would all gather around the TV with daddy watching the game. We stuffed our stomachs with the traditional turkey meal, that always included a large pan of homemade peach cobbler. We would have German chocolate, coconut cake or sweet potato pie. My all-time favorite was that big pan of banana pudding (wish I had some RIGHT now)!!! Junior loved going to the beach, and on many weekends he would spend the day relaxing and grilling in Galveston, Surfside or Duessen Park. As his health started to declined more and more, he had a few things he could fall back on to make a few bucks. Soliciting plumbing jobs, skills he learned years earlier working side-by-side with our dad or as a fix-it handyman. Those who knew him best, can agree that in spite of all his flaws and missed opportunities, he was a very funny, smart, talented and a good guy. So please join us in cherishing and keeping those good memories and qualities in your hearts and pray for him and our family's loss. More importantly, also pray for his daughter's late mother Ruby their only child, Nicole, and grandchildren. Remember God is always Love and Black Lives Matter...stay safe!