Michigan resident greets commuters with thumbs-up after surviving two strokes

George Doxtader has maintained a ten-year routine that begins before most of Eaton Rapids is awake. The 78-year-old sits on a bench at the corner of State and Main streets, often arriving as early as 4 a.m. to greet traffic with a thumbs-up.

Friend Kurt Norgaard noted that the early start is a constant. "He gets up very early, he’s out here a lot of times at 4 a.m.," Norgaard said. "And you’ll see a lot of waving and beeping, just how it is." The interaction has become a fixed part of the local commute, with drivers frequently honking horns and calling out names as they pass the intersection.

The routine is not without its physical hurdles. Doxtader suffered two major strokes 35 years ago, leaving him with paralysis on the right side of his body and occasional difficulty speaking. He describes his verbal output as "slow and gradually." Despite these limitations, he uses his left hand to crochet blankets and pictures when he is not on the street.

Absences from the bench are quickly noticed by neighbors. Norgaard said that when Doxtader is missing for any period, questions arise about his whereabouts. "Oh yeah, it comes up in the community. ‘Hey what happened to George? Where’s George at?’" Norgaard said. Doxtader takes breaks for church services and other activities, but his presence is expected enough that its absence sparks conversation.

Pastor Jenny Rouble of First Congregational Church views Doxtader as a member of her congregation and a friend to the area. She observed that the visual cue of his smiling face and raised thumb provides a simple source of happiness for commuters. "It just makes them happy to see his smiling face and his thumbs-up," Rouble said. "I guess you can tell by when the people go by, they’re honking their horns. They know his name."

Doxtader attributes his persistence to a desire to offer encouragement in a complex environment. When asked about the purpose of his gesture, he answered, "Yes, that’s the goal, right? Yeah, that’s the goal is the inspiration in a complicated world," Rouble added, echoing his sentiment. The 78-year-old continues his shift at the intersection, relying on his left hand for both his crafts and his daily greetings.