Don Cornelius died tragically last week, and ever since I have been thinking a lot about the “Soul Train” host and the show itself.

Police are treating Cornelius’s death as a suicide. The situation reportedly has been baffling to close friends, who say they were not aware the entertainer and entrepreneur was particularly unhappy.

Like many of my generation, though, I have had “Soul Train” memories flooding back since Cornelius’ death.

The show was targeted at a black audience but had strong crossover appeal. There were closet Soul Train watchers among the white population in the 1970s, as well as a few who were more open about their admiration for the show. By the late 1980s, the show had a well-established audience across racial and ethnic lines.

Soul Train never became my favorite show, and while I liked the music, it never became the music of my soul the way country was. As corny as Hee Haw was, the music was always my favorite music. And my earliest vivid memory is of watching the Johnny Cash Show and the Porter Wagoner Show. But I learned to love soul music and rhythm and blues as well, and Soul Train had a lot to do with that.

I learned about more than music, too. While my most important lessons were learned at home and in Sunday School, I gained valuable insights from every part of my life. Track and cross country, Boy Scouts — and of course, school — all contributed to my education and formation. Jobs in a hotel kitchen, an RV park, a cafeteria and a greenhouse tomato operation all yielded lessons.

I learned a lot from books, magazines and newspapers. Ms. Swann and Mr. Jackson in the 7th grade together taught me to behave — or else. Mr. Jackson gave me my last spanking ever and Ms. Swann looked at me several times.

All Ms. Swann had to do was look at you. And Soul Train also was a teacher.

It didn’t teach me much math or science, but I did learn some history and English.

I also learned, as Alan Jackson would put it, “a lot about livin’ and a little about love.”

Some life lessons I learned from watching Soul Train:

• Anything worth doing is worth doing with rhythm.

• When life hands you lemons, incorporate them into a funky new dance.

• Always say “thank you.” Cornelius always thanked the artists for being on the show, and they always thanked him for inviting them. He was actually doing the bigger favor in many instances, but he always thanked the artist for being there.

• Life is much better with a song in your heart and rhythm in your step.

• Details matter.

• Presentation is vitally important.

• Having a great partner makes you look better.

• Even when you’re working hard, make it look fun.

• Take your turn in the line, and then move on and let someone else take their turn.

• When all else fails, put on a sharp suit and speak with confidence.

Thanks for the memories, Don.