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Jim Bob was raised on a ranch in Maryneal, Texas – a sleepy little town a stone’s throw from Sweetwater with a store, a café, a small post office, a few churches, one road in, and one road out!
Back then, it was a simpler time – a time when people shared a strong work ethic and quality of life was determined by friends and family, not material things. The folks were honest, genuine, and filled with common sense. They were quick to find humor in even the toughest of times. They exhibited a set of moral values, and more importantly, they readily gave value to others.
Jim Bob learned from these interesting and sometimes eccentric folks that life is what we make it and that we all possess the ability to make it great! He realized that we often make life too complicated and overlook the one thing in life over which we have total control – our attitude!
The simple “life lessons” learned from Maryneal has deeply impacted Jim Bob’s life, and he weaves the humorous stories of these characters into his presentations and shares their core beliefs. Regardless of age or where one was raised, Jim Bob believes there is a “Maryneal, Texas” in each of our lives.
MEET SOME OF THE MARYNEAL FOLKS…
“Sunshine” Simpson
“Sunshine” Simpson was always a happy and positive man. You never saw him when he wasn’t smiling, and he often exclaimed, “I’m the only person who can ruin my day!” Not only did he say this, but he believed it – and more important, he lived it! People loved to run into Sunshine. They always came away feeling better about themselves and the world in general. He truly believed, “How we choose to react when life isn’t giving us what we want defines our happiness!”
 “Hidee” Holcomb
“Hidee” Holcomb was the local telephone operator in Maryneal.This was back in the days when if you wanted to make a call, you didn’t dial the number – you just picked up the phone and would hear, “Hi – deee! Central here! Who do you want to talk to?” Hidee was known to listen for awhile just to make sure the party answered and everything was alright. If they didn’t answer, she would offer suggestions as to where they might be and then offer to try them there. Hidee lived in the back of the telephone office and never complained about late night calls. Hidee believed that she was there to serve the people of Maryneal.
“Yee Haw” Thompson
“Yee Haw” Thompson was passionate about life. He was always willing to jump in and help where needed. His energy and enthusiasm was infectious and impacted everyone in Maryneal. He never asked, “What’s in it for me?” He motivated others with his unselfish attitude. Yee Haw believed everyone has the responsibility to make their community a better place to live!
 “Whiney” Bender
“Whiney” Bender got his nickname because he was always complaining about how bad things were. Whiney didn’t just have bad days; he had bad years and was perpetual doom and gloom. The towns’ people were known to have faked everything from hearing loss to heart attacks just in hopes they wouldn’t have to visit with Whiney. Whiney taught us all that a negative attitude is never productive in dealing with challenges. Both a positive attitude and a negative attitude are contagious – it’s a matter of which one we want to spread!
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