Grandmother enjoys emotional visit with Daniel Orton
November 18th, 2009 | 
Author:
Frankie Thompson, left, enjoyed coming to Kentucky to see her grandson, UK freshman Daniel Orton, play two games. She's sitting with her friend, Carmel Jackson, and Larry Orton, right, Daniel's father. (Victoria Graff photo)
By LARRY VAUGHT
Between academics and athletics, Daniel Orton didn’t get to spend nearly as much time with Frankie Thompson, his 71-year-old grandmother, during her visit to Lexington watch him play against Morehead State and Miami.
“But I am just happy to spend whatever time I can with her,” Orton said. “I knew she was coming and that made me so happy because we have always been close.
“She loves me for sure. I am sure she is happy to be out here with my brother, dad and I. It has been a while since we have been together. At home, we spent a lot of time together and at the holidays we would always spend time. I miss that.
“I know being here is special for her. Ever since I moved here, she talked about saving her pennies so she could come to games. She flew out here from Oklahoma. I like just being around her and there’s nothing like a grandmother’s love.”
His grandmother felt the same way after coming here with her long-time friend, Carmel Jackson. The two women sat on the front row with Larry Orton, Daniel’s father, and Terrence Crawford, Daniel’s brother, as well as her younger son who lives in Atlanta.
“I have enjoyed my time tremendously. Daniel has been a busy guy, but he took out time for Gran-Gran,” Thompson before UK beat Miami Monday.
Obviously, the trip was somewhat bittersweet since her daughter, Carolyn, passed away last year.
“He has a special spot in my heart just like his mom did. It has been a troubling year, but we will weather the storm,” Thompson said. “He misses her quite a bit, but he won’t let on to us. He doesn’t always answer my calls. I am not into the texting like he is. So when I call, he won’t always answer. He is pretty conservative with his business just like his mother was with me. She never shared a lot of her illness with me. She was very private.
“He knows his grandmother and grandfather love him. I wanted to be here for his first game and see him play and I wanted to encourage him. He needs that.”
She says her grandson was always a “good kid” growing up in Oklahoma City.
“As far as I can remember, he has been a real obedient kid with his grandparents and parents. He was very polite. I didn’t make many trips to the school because of him other than to the basketball games. We have always gone to watch him play,” she said.
She didn’t get to see him play last year because he needed preseason knee surgery and missed all but his team’s final game.
“I am impressed with Daniel and the way he is playing now,” Orton’s grandmother said. “I missed him not playing last year. It was tear-jerking the first part of the game (against Morehead). I didn’t want to show it, but I couldn’t help but shed some tears. It was very emotional for me thinking about his mother and seeing him out there playing.”
His grandmother would have preferred to have her grandson playing closer to her, but she fully supported the move to Kentucky because her daughter wanted to see him playing at Kentucky and planned to move here with him just as her husband did.
“They wanted to follow through with her wishes and I wanted him to go with her wishes, so I accepted it. I didn’t want to see him leave, I really didn’t. But in as much as this is what his mother talked about and reamed of, I had to be for it. She came here and dreamed of coming here. When he decided to come to Kentucky, she was happy and wanted to come here with him,” she said. “How could I be opposed to her wishes?”
She has a good relationship with Larry Orton and says he keeps her informed of her grandsons progress.
“I tell Larry he is my favorite son-in-law and he tells me, ‘I am your only son-in-law.’ But he is good with the boys. He loves them and they love him. Larry answers my calls and keeps me informed. I appreciate what he does,” she said.
“I will be back as often as I can. I want to be back as much as I can afford to fly out. I am hoping this team can win a national championship. I know that is what Daniel wants and I would love to see him get that because I know that is what his mother would want,” Thompson said.
Posted in UK Basketball
26 Responses to “Grandmother enjoys emotional visit with Daniel Orton”
Leave a Reply
Great story Larry – I miss my grandparents greatly and it’s great to hear Daniel Orton talk about his grandmother and family.
Having lost both parents & my only grandma(in a 13 month period) in my mid twenties I have a special understanding of what the “Big O” is going through. When his mom died my brother the minister sent out a prayer e-mail from his congregation to the Orton family. I still miss them(my folks) immensely and it’s been 22 years. If I could tell “Big O” anything it would be that he honors her life with his. All he can do is be the man she raised him to be and he will find great joy in that accomplishment.
You really got to me with this one Larry. What ever they pay you is not enough. THE “VOICE” STRIKE AGAIN. KEEP UP THE “EXCEPTIONAL” WORK.
[...] Nice story by the Danville Advocate-Messenger’s Larry Vaught on Frankie Thompson, Daniel Orton’s 71-year-old grandmother, who came to Lexington this past weekend to pay her grandson a visit and see Kentucky play Morehead State and Miami of Ohio. [...]
Excellent story Larry. Nobody on Earth can show as much pride in a kid as a grandma and Grandma Thompson has every right to be proud of this young man. Big Blue Nation is so happy that he stuck with his commitment to UK.
Larry, this is what makes you and your blog special. You let us see the other side of the players, their families, their accomplishments and the way they hang in there after a personal loss. This make them human, not just basketball players whom we cannot touch or talk with daily. We see them as someone’s son or brother and in some cases someone’s father. Thanks Larry, you are the best!
This was a fun story to do. I really enjoy being able to do these type of things. Glad all of you enjoyed it
This is the positive side of news I wish more newspapers and TV would pick up on. I know the other stuff sometimes needs to be reported, but this kind of story is REAL LIFE too!! Thanks Larry for including these kinds of stories too!!
Glad you liked it Tony
Grannies are extra special, I was raised by one, and in time I was blessed to get to raise a granddaughter who excelled in sports. She played 4 yrs. on scollarship in soccer and started ever game all 4 years. She is now a engineer in KC. I have had a grandson the last 2 yrs. that played football and tennis, so me & my wife still go to a lot of sporting match’s
Hi Larry! Thank you and what a great story! I had the pleasure of meeting Grandma Frankie and her friend, and got to talk to them at both games. They were introduced to us by Larry Orton and I must say, they are the sweetest ladies I have ever met. I look forward to getting to know them both better and seeing them back at more games. We exchanged numbers and I am so happy to be able to stay in touch with them and that they are there for Daniel. I mentioned to her how much I had missed Carolyn being here with us and that I was looking forward to getting to know Carolyn better since we had hit it off as friends from the moment I met her. When Grandma Frankie met Patrick, she said, “I am your second Mom” and Patrick said, okay, smiled and gave her a big hug! She is definitely “family!”
Dear Mrs. Patterson, I always read Larry’s great articles but I have never posted a comment on this, or any other blog, message board, etc. However, I have to let you know that Patrick is my favorite UK player of all time. He’s obviously an intelligent, dedicated student and he’s also a great ambassador for the program (and the Commonwealth). He is so humble and gracious. Just a perfect role model, not only for my young children, but for me as well. The fact that he’s an amazingly talented athlete is like icing on the cake. Even better, he has the determination to match his talent. For all these reasons Patrick is, and will continue to be a legend. Thank you for sharing him with us for 3 years!
Sincerely, Chris Woodall (Madisonville, KY)
Chris glad to have you post and can’t think of a better way for you to start than my expressing what so many folks in the Commonwealth also believe.
And Tywanna once again thanks for taking the time to read and share. Your insights are so meaningful to so many and you can tell how the fans love your son.
The same goes for me Mrs. Patterson, I met your son briefly at a football game earlier this year and he is a great person. Very engauging, and he is definatly a breath of fresh air. An athlete of his caliber to be so nice and humble, walking away from my encounter with your son I was very impressed with him, and could tell that he was raised very well. You should be very proud of him (which I’m sure you are) kids like him don’t come around very often. I have LOVED being able to watch him for the past three years.
Also loved the story Larry, you are the man!!
Great stuff Steve
Larry, That Is so great to hear His Family is staying that close, That young Man needs that in his LIFE right now, Keep that head up Young man not only do you have love from your Family, You have the love of BIG BLUE NATION!!! Thanks Larry for this story!! GO ORTON!! GO BIG BLUE!!!
Mrs.Patterson, We know that Daniel is in good hands with PAT, He needs that strong roll model and PAT is the best “MAN” for the Job…WOW what a great bunch of Kids…If we don’t win another game, we have allready Won IMO…GO BIG BLUE!!!
Excellent article Larry! Mrs. Patterson, I just would like to echo the comments of Chris. While I don’t have children yet, and just a few years older than your son, he is what college athletics should be about. A great person and student first, a tremendously talented basketball player second. You can tell that you and Mr. Patterson did an amazing job raising this young man. I can only hope that when I have children one day, that I’m able to meet the bar you’ve set so high.
Larry – I don’t guess we could offer to help Grandma Orton out with some of her travel expenses so she could see her grandson more often could we? I’ve lost every grandparent I have except for one and realize the time we get to spend with them is priceless. Unfortunately for me, I was too young to realize it before they passed. Luckily I still have one around to share quality time with. But if I could help her see her grandson more often, I would be glad to help. Just wouldn’t want to do anything to get the school in trouble and I have a feeling this would be considered an “improper” benefit for a college athlete.
Great offer Matt, but afraid you are right. Not allowed which is too bad. But keep sending good wishes for her. I will print them all out and mail to her. She is quite a lady. I will try to interview her more when she comes back and maybe let all of you suggest questions you would like to have her answer
Hi and thank you all for your well wishes and positive comments regarding Patrick, Daniel and Grandma Frankie. I enjoy reading what Larry has to say, he is like a breath of fresh air!! Buster and I are very blessed to have Patrick and we are thankful and appreciative of how much you all support and appreciate him and the UKY players as well. Many thanks to Chris Woodall, S. Brock, Trublu69,and Matt for your comments! Matt, that is sweet of you to want to help Grandma Frankie, but yes, it would go against the rules to do that. Thank you for wanting to help. She assured me she would return for more games, so all will be fine. You all are very welcome and Go CATS!!!
I enjoy your insight, Larry.
The new guys will definitely benefit from Patrick’s leadership, on and off the court. -CW
Thanks Tywanna for the grandmother update and the kind words. Same to you also Chris.
You have to love the NCAA and their rules! haha But I didn’t figure there would be anything we could do, just thought I’d ask.
Looking forward to the game tonight though! Larry, keep up the good work! You are by far the best sports writer in this state.
Thanks Matt. Will have full coverage after the game
I, too, enjoy reading your articles Larry. And this blog is now something I try to checkout every day. I think you’re by far the best sports writer in the state.
I retired from the military in 2002 and now live in Oak Ridge, TN, so I have to rely on the Internet for my Bug Blue news. I look forward to reading your articles everyday. Keep up the good work.
Btw…How’s your brother Jack doing? He was my choir director at Boyle County for several years until I graduated in ‘82. It was one of my favorite classes.
Actually, David he is my uncle and he is going great. No complaints at all. Glad you enjoy the site.
check out Boyle County football at http://www.amnews.com on Saturday morning