Brothers Darron Moore (left), Spencer Talley (right) and lifetime friend Rod Rogers arrived well before dawn to set up for today’s yard sale. They were enjoying the story of Dynamite’s signature laugh that defined his personality.
Darron Moore carries a rocking horse to a car today during a yard sale at Dynamite’s house.
Darron, brother Spencer Talley, and lifetime friend Rod Rogers held a yard sale at Dynamite’s home today to raise funds for funeral expenses. Dynamite, a “Child of the City” died March 14 of complications from sickle cell anemia. Services and burial were held at Fairview Baptist Church last Tuesday.
While setting up for the yard sale Moore recognized the task of the past week’s events. “It is a responsibility and it isn’t,” Moore said. “It means we’re helping someone and that makes you feel good.”
As Moore and others removed items from inside the house to set on the porch, he recalled Dynamite being “ A neat freak. If you dropped a Cheeto he would get on you.”
They shared fond memories of their childhood with Dynamite. The formative years began on a somber note, Moore said. “When he was seven or eight years old doctors said he wouldn’t make it past 10. After a while you stopped worrying about how long he would live and go with it. Dynamite never took a moment for granted.”
When former Greer football coach Stuart Holcombe gave Dynamite his nickname, “Dynamite told us that week that that’s what he wanted to be called,” Darron said.
Dynamite’s competitiveness was noted from his former coaches when he was manager of the Greer High School sports teams including the 2003 State Football Champions.
“He was probably the ultimate competitor,” Spencer said. “He would put you back in line if you weren’t.”
Dynamite played basketball and softball at Fairview Baptist. “We played basketball every Monday at the church and Dynamite always wanted to win.” Rod said.
Spencer said Dynamite played shooting guard. “When the man got hot he wanted people to see him,” Spencer said.
Dynamite’s tenacity for winning led to some competitive trash talking,” Rod said. “But when we did beat him we kept messing with him because that’s what he did to us. I’ll miss those ‘friendly’ arguments and his crackin’ on people.”
“Dynamite never had a driver’s license or learner’s permit but one time I let him drive my car,” Spencer said. “He scared me to death. We were driving in the country and he was going about 50 miles per hour. I’ll never forget that.”
Dynamite’s transportation, outside of friends, mostly was by his moped. “He asked me to go with him to Victor and the battery died on the way. We had to call for help,” Spencer said.
Dynamite liked to fish, camping, played video games and enjoyed going to sports events. “He wanted to go anywhere there would be a crowd of people. He was energized,” Spencer said. “The girls loved him.”
They all said they would remember Dynamite’s laugh that was referenced at the services on Tuesday. “You knew when he was around. But his laugh, the best way to describe it, is annoying,” Rod said with a wide grin. Darron and Spencer nodded as they laughed.
Dynamite was described as an incessant talker. “He would talk on the phone and would never hang up,” Darron said. “I’ll also remember him as the class clown. He liked to joke in class and make them (students) laugh.”
A lot of the sports memorabilia Dynamite collected was centered on Greer High School and North Carolina State. Dynamite’s front part of the porch and steps were painted red to reflect N.C. State’s colors. Darron said, “A lot of people were here this week to get something that would have them remember Dynamite.”
Justin Miller, in a tribute, recalled how Dynamite struggled to weigh over 100 pounds. It wasn’t for Dynamite’s appetite at times, Darron said. “He ate whatever he wanted. He ate more than we did.”
Hamburger Helper was Dynamite’s staple when he cooked. “That’s all he would cook for us but he could cook roasts and made meals."
Want to contribute?
The Brandon “Dynamite” Talley Memorial Fund has been established at Greer State Bank. Donations to the non-profit fund can be dropped off at any Greer State Bank branch. Send mailed donations to: Brandon “Dynamite” Talley Memorial Fund, 601 N. Main Street, Greer SC, 29650. Call 864-848-5103 for more information.