Teddy Pendergrass II shares memories of his father

Editor's note: Teddy Pendergrass II, 35, is a financial consultant who lives near Philadelphia. He is also father of two children, Alaynna and Teddy III. A public viewing of Teddy Pendergrass Sr. will be held on Friday at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, with a private funeral the next day.

(CNN) -- Many knew my father, Teddy Pendergrass, as the dynamic, smoky soul singer who sold millions of albums, wooed crowds and made women swoon. He was the man who would "Wake Up Everybody," then "Turn Out The Lights" and "Close the Door."

But to me, he was just Dad.

He was the gentle man who bought me my first baseball glove. He was the guy who took the brand new baseball and scuffed it up on the ground so it was easier to handle. He was the man who would wrap that ball in a belt and slap it in my glove to break it in.

That was my dad.

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