Eaton Rapids man gives thumbs-up from street corner for decade

For 10 years, George Doxtader has occupied a bench at the corner of State and Main streets in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, offering a thumbs-up to anyone passing by.

The 78-year-old resident often arrives at the location as early as 4 a.m. His friend, Kurt Norgaard, noted that Doxtader is frequently present in the early morning hours. "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."

Doxtader’s presence has become a fixture in the community. Norgaard said that if Doxtader misses a stretch of days, locals immediately ask about his whereabouts. "Oh yeah, it comes up in the community. ‘Hey what happened to George? Where’s George at?’" Norgaard said. He takes breaks for church services and other activities, but his regular appearances draw consistent attention from drivers who honk their horns and call out greetings.

Pastor Jenny Rouble of First Congregational Church described Doxtader as a member of her congregation and a friend to many. She observed that the simple gesture brightens the day for those who see it. "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 has managed physical challenges for decades. He suffered two major strokes 35 years ago, resulting in paralysis on the right side of his body. He also experiences occasional difficulty with speech. When describing his own speech patterns, he told reporters, "Slow and gradually."

When he is not standing at the intersection, Doxtader spends his time crocheting blankets and pictures using only his left hand. He maintains a positive outlook on life, a trait his friend Rouble said he actively shares with others. "Yes, that’s the goal, right? Yeah, that’s the goal is the inspiration in a complicated world," Rouble said. Doxtader agreed when asked about spreading inspiration, answering simply, "Yes."

The routine continues at the same bench on State and Main streets. Doxtader remains a familiar sight to Eaton Rapids drivers, continuing the decade-long tradition of greeting his neighbors.