chapter two

Meet Cody

His story begins in Sebring, Florida, where he was born and raised. Cody’s biological father wasn’t around much while Cody was growing up, so he was solely raised by his young mother and stepdad. Cody was the oldest of his mother’s four boys and somewhere else in the ranking of his birth-dad’s seven other children. I had been told many times by several family members that Cody was always super independent, kept to himself, had a brilliant mind of his own, and didn’t require much observation or correction. He was well beyond his years in maturity and overall filled with so much joy.

Cody’s family wasn’t as financially blessed as others. He would tell me of times when they would go a week straight eating only rice and canned pork and beans because it was the only affordable food at the time. Or how at the beginning of each school year, he wore his grown uncle’s baggy, hand-me-down clothes to school because they couldn’t afford anything else. Every Christmas, Cody would remind me of the time where he had to give back his already-opened Christmas present because “Santa” miscalculated it in the budget. Santa had brought four remote control toy cars for the four brothers, but Santa and Mrs. Claus had not been on the same page financially. His parents decided that it would be in the family’s best interest if two of the toy cars went back to the North Pole. Unfortunately, Cody’s Christmas present was taken right out of his hands. This story still haunted him in his adult years, because the disappointment he felt was devastating. But even as a young child, he understood this sacrifice.

Despite lacking material possessions, anytime the church building doors were open, his mom made sure her boys were in attendance. Cody remembers spending every Tuesday night, Thursday night, and twice on Sundays between those double doors. He grew up respectfully obeying the teachings of the old religious principles, practices, rituals, and rules. Cody recalled long days seated in those pews where he was struck with the fear of God Almighty. He would later learn that the Big Man upstairs isn’t confined into a small box, but that He exudes love, and His reign is limitless.

Every family has their fair share of dysfunction, but the perspective that Cody’s gave him at such a young age was fascinating. He had been granted the gift of discernment and wisdom from the Holy Spirit much sooner than most, and he excelled in his self-discipline. When he would reminisce and reflect on his upbringing, he was grateful for being exposed to a fair share of chaos early on, because it showed him what he didn’t want to be like before he knew what he did want to be like.

Ultimately, seeing his immediate family struggle financially and several of his extended relatives wrestle with the same issue as well as drug addictions, theft behaviors, and physical violence inspired Cody to strive in breaking his family’s generational curse. Cody wanted much more for himself than his hometown had to offer. With the crime rate in Sebring rising, he knew if he had stayed there, he wouldn’t become the man he was aspiring to be. So at fifteen years old, he asked his mom if he could move to Franklin, Kentucky, with his aunt and her two small children. She answered him with a quick yes, and he left all he had known to create a new life for himself.

In Franklin, Cody quickly found a part-time job at a local fast-food restaurant and joined the football, basketball, and track and field programs at his new school. Thriving in all things ath­letic, maintaining stellar grades, and keeping up a phenomenal work ethic came naturally to him. He loved to learn and embrace challenges. To no one’s surprise, he soon began to dominate on the football field. Cody began making the front page of the news­paper quite often. “Eubanks Does It Again!” The crowds that gathered on game day absolutely adored him. The whole town was in awe of the new kid from Florida drawing this much attention to their small-town football team. Even with the spotlight on him for the first time in his life, his spirit remained meek and humble.

After high school, Cody accepted a scholarship to continue his passion for football and to run track at Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Kentucky. Oh, and he flourished! On the football field, he played wide receiver and kickoff returner on special teams. On the track and field team, he competed in the 100m and 200m dash and participated in the 4x100m and 4x200m relays. The Campbellsville Tigers couldn’t brag enough about this kid from the South! Boys will be boys, so he did have his fair share of rambunctious college stories, but nothing too crazy that made headlines in the local newspaper. Cody pitched a tent on the dean’s list and assured that his grades came first. He was highly favored by his teachers, abundantly cherished by his coaches, and deeply loved to this day by his college group of friends.

After four years of much growth, he walked the line with his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Cody was the first college attendee in his immediate family, let alone college graduate! If I could time-travel, I would be honored to go back to wit­ness this extremely rewarding moment in his life. My hero. My inspiration. Want to know something absolutely amazing? Cody didn’t stop there!

After graduation, Cody decided to test the waters and try out for a semi-pro, arena football team in Louisville, Kentucky, called Louisville Fire. Louisville Fire was blessed by his skillset, warm enthusiasm, and ability to be a great team player. That opportunity and experience was incredible and all; but after a while, Cody felt that it was time to hang up the cleats and go back to school. After one season spent in Louisville, he returned to Campbellsville University, where he earned his master’s degree in Business Administration. This man was hands down someone to be proud of. And this was only the beginning!

Once freed from twenty-one years of schooling, Cody accepted a general manager position with Bluegrass Cellular in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he specialized in technology sales. Cody really enjoyed his new job and began networking within his new town. His employees joked that he ran a very tight ship around there and was rather strict, but they never doubted how much Cody cared for each of them and took pride in his store’s honorable reputation.

The years came and went until his season at Bluegrass ended, too. During the course of those several years, he managed to create a wonderful name for himself within the community, and he gained many meaningful friendships. After much thought and soul-searching, Cody built up a desire to serve his country by dedicating his life to the United States Air Force. He was super eager to enlist and began the enrollment process, but one day a close friend approached him about a career opportunity in financial services with a reputable company. This decision wasn’t an easy one to make. Yet with Cody now in his late twenties and having suffered from football injuries to his shoulder and knee, he found it best to stick around good ole Bowling Green and pursue this career path. He accepted an opening with AIG Financial as an insurance agent. Cody loved how this career stimulated his mind and pushed him out of his comfort zone. He loved meeting new faces and having a major impact on other families’ financial decisions. I often teased him about being part calculator. Someone enjoying numbers, math, counting, and equations that much couldn’t be sane.

In 2016, still doing what he loved and impacting more and more people day by day, he switched companies from AIG Financial to a Christian-based company called Thrivent Financial, where his soul still resides today. What better way to help bless families and organizations financially than to share it with Christ-like perspectives and principles!

Cody was a remarkable man. Those who knew him were his biggest fans, and he was a blessing to everyone he encountered, friend or stranger. He loved volunteering, especially when it came to the underprivileged youth. He was a walking sponge and wanted to soak up any bit of knowledge from anyone willing to teach him a thing or two. He set his bar as limitless, because he knew he could accomplish anything he set his mind and heart to. He was a rare breed, indeed.

Words would never be able to convey his characteristics and attributes. He was truly unique and a son of the King! His integrity, passion, hunger, and thirst for Christ radiated out of his being. His faithfulness to his Maker, wife, family, and friends was like none other. He was dangerously loyal. His sense of humor brought laughter that made your tummy hurt, and his stories warmed the souls of those who would listen. This man had a heart of gold and would have given the shirt off of his back to anyone in a heartbeat. Without thought or question, he went out of his way to make people feel welcome and wanted. He was a lover of all people and genuine all the way through.

It was in his nature to meet people where they were in life. He didn’t seek attention from this world but strived to defend what’s right through the eyes of Yahweh. At the same time, he was the most levelheaded, mentally sound person that I ever knew. He had no expectation for life other than to live as Jesus would. His honesty, thoughtfulness, strength, compassion, and wisdom inspired me and many others so much. It was evident that he was devoted to making this world a better place. Thankfully, he put his trust and worries into the lap of our Jehovah Rapha. He could have been...