Piney is the club's oldest member when the series begins, although he is less active in than he used to be due to health problems; he carries an oxygen tank for his emphysema. He is a member of the club's old guard, and one of two people to whom John Teller entrusted his manuscript, The Life and Death of Sam Crow: How the Sons of Anarchy Lost Their Way . Piney is an adherent to JT's way of seeing the club than Clay's. He is dubious of Clay's motives and doesn't trust him. Clay is aware of this and is often looking for ways to sideline Piney. Piney hopes Jax will take the club in the direction JT envisioned. He is Opie's father, but comes from the school of tough love. He can often be found up at his cabin in the woods, usually drinking. He oversees the club's business in season three when Clay, Jax, Chibs and others are in Belfast.Background: Piney is one of the First 9 who founded the club, along with Clay Morrow and John Teller. He served in Vietnam with John Teller and their experience of returning from war and feeling out of place was part of what led them to create SAMCRO. He is divorced from Opie's mother Mary and his grandfather to Opie's two children, Kenny and Ellie.