A man who started from meager beginnings, Dean left high school in the ninth grade. During his lifetime, he pursued a career in entertainment. In addition, he sang and also was on TV, including "The Jimmy Dean Show." In 1969, he started the Jimmy Dean Meat Corporation.



Being born in the late '70s, the biggest memory I have of Jimmy Dean is a small fast food establishment named after him. Jimmy Dean's was located within walking distance from my high school. High school kids used to hang out there and eat fast food that had more of a quality taste. Along with sausage items, there were burgers, pastrami sandwiches, fried zucchini, burritos, chili and much more. It was almost like a little diner. Thus, if you are ever driving by Newhall, Calif., stop off and pay homage to Jimmy Dean by going to this burger joint.



Jimmy Dean's sausage always seemed to be present at every pancake breakfast I ever went to. They showed up in the pigs-in-a-blanket after slumber parties, and made it into breakfast at summer camp. I can't really say I'm a sausage fan now. However, I still remember their maple goodness when I pass through the frozen foods aisle. The AP article mentioned that Dean sold his sausage company to "Sara Lee Corp. in 1984."



Yet, Jimmy Dean was not simply an entrepreneur who made great sausage. He was an entertainer. In 1950, his band made the hit "Bummin Around." In addition, he won a Grammy for his most famous song, "Big Bad John." If you've never heard the song, it's about a formidable man by the name of "Big John" who worked in a coal mine. One day, the mineshaft collapsed, John saves the miners and, well, you know the rest. Today was the first time I had ever listened to the song. If you've never listened to this, I suggest you do.



Thank you, Jimmy Dean, for your legacy of good food, music and amusement.