Voices
Sheann Stokes-Gilmore
7 mins
Roger Bymun has loved Route 66 since his adolescent years. Having been born and raised on Route 66, his roots and connections to this historical road run deep.
Bymun, 76, has been everything from a hard worker at Frito-Lay for almost 30 years to a family man, a rebel, and a classic car lover.
He is “a Mustang man,” but nothing compares to his love of the road and Route 66.
After the recent AAA Route 66 Road Fest at the Tulsa Expo Square, Bymun shared his inspiration for his travels and accounts on the historic route, as well as his love for cars and his tattoos.
We talked about his tattoos and, in particular, his Route 66 tattoo that depicts the Route 66 shield with a sun setting westbound with flames. Getting inspiration from his memories of his grandfather, the love of classic cars, and his 20-year diagnosis and subsequent battle with cancer, resulting in surgical removal and full remission, fueled his decision.
After his close call with death, he started a bucket list of things yet to be done.
When considering a tattoo, he says, “If I don’t do it now, when will I ever do it?”
His first tattoo was an encircled Mustang emblem, but he says he wanted to even it out, so he got his Route 66 tattoo on the other arm.
His tattoos were inspired by his connection and journeys on Route 66. He recalls his travels westbound on Route 66, while admitting he has never driven north on the route through Missouri. However, he has been on the southwest stretch into California.
While traveling Route 66 and in many different vehicles, he says, “In his fun days,” most of his travel was done on a motorcycle. Whether it be during vacations or group events, the road was his way to go.
He has been to many iconic monuments on the route. He said several times that his accounts included his travels to restaurants known for their iconic food. The food establishments were The Rock Café in Stroud, Okla., and The Big Texan Steakhouse in Amarillo, Texas.
Also, other highlights were Cadillac Ranch, where you can spray paint your name on the cars; The Round Barn in Arcadia, whose geometric shape is unusual because it was built when no round barns existed; the Leaning Water Tower; and the 3 Crosses exhibit, which represents the crucifixion of Christ, in Groom, Texas.
Bymun shared how he learned about the history of Route 66 itself, giving credit to Tulsa businessman Cyrus Avery, who saw the need for a route that traveled across the country. He said Avery’s vision was to link city roads along the route with other cities and states to create Route 66, the predecessor of the modern-day interstate highway system.
Bymun’s love for the road derives from his interest in native culture. He has traveled southwest to visit the crater in Arizona as well as the Grand Canyon and many other landmarks along the route. He said he has owned over four 1960s Mustang Fastback model styles, but the 1965 model, is his favorite.
He belongs to a car club named the Rotary Club, which has been responsible for many local car shows. The organization has assisted AAA in judging the cars over the past three years.
Bymun plans to participate in upcoming Route 66 projects and other car shows.
Editor’s Note: Tulsa Community College Sheann Stokes-Gilmore, also known as The Blind Man Can (“The BMC”), is a contributing writer. As a sophomore student majoring in communications, he is the first blind writer to author an article for the newspaper. His next article will be an interview with Dean SethAnn Lange, dean of Student Life. Faculty Adviser Dr. Jerry Goodwin provided editing assistance for accuracy, brevity, and clarity.
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