Families

While in the USAF stationed in Biloxi,Miss. I had possible orders to Sault St. Marie or Kirksville, MO. I drew Kirksville. We lived in an 8x42 trailer, so we hooked it on the back of our 1955 Ford and headed North. Believe it or not back then (1958-9) you had to get permits to tow something that BIG(?) thru most states.

 With permits in hand we had a good trip, until somewhere in Kentucky we got snowed in. A nice guy in a general store allowed us to stay in his lot for two days. Then we got stuck on a hill in the snow in South East Missouri.  With the help of passers by, road side cinders  and a good-ol-Missouri-boy in a p/u truck , they got us over the hill. An exciting trip for a young couple with a baby boy. My Dad and BIL (Dick) were along to help also.

Being from the South,  leaving the Gulf Coast, we had no idea what 13 below zero in March felt like, but we learned.

(55 Ford with our trailer in the back ground)

Kirksville turned out to be some of the best duty in the world. A small 100 man radar site. We loved it there. The summers were wonderful and beautiful in the rolling hills of NE Missouri.  WE learned that Missouri folk are great.

(Kenneth & Eileen on one of our trips across country)

That is where we met the Conrad Family.  Ahhh what a treat. Kenneth was a real German Missourian. Eileen was from Palm Beach County, FL. Kenneth was a farmer and a worker in the HB Chance Corp. In a two story farm house they raised 10 kids.

The family grew up with the standards of Mom & Dad. Truth and hard work. Nurses, financial advisor, administrators, a (lady) jet mechanic, Builders, craftsmen, and a war hero.

(Kenneth, me and the boys, Kenneth is in his 80’s and in this picture (2010) was as strong as an ox.)

On the way down to enjoy a visit with some of the family who drove in from Missouri, I got to thinking, we have known this family over 50 years. Eileen could have been a professional singer. Oh yeah, Vickie too,  but she prefers to turn a nut and adjust what ever jet mechanics do. HA! To top it off, they are all good looking too, even Kenny, Sherry says he looks like George Clooney (is that good or bad?).

They can all cook too, even the guys.

(Sherry & I left Kirksville and eventually moved back to Moberly Mo. This is the church we all attended, it did have a steeple back then)

They were down to visit Irma Lee, affectionately known as Aunt Nee, 91+ who is also one of the sweetest women you want to meet. Also two of the Siblings(Glenda & David Luke) are residents of Okeechobee. So it is a reunion. I believe David and Glenda went back to Missouri with the crowd to have more time with the family & Mom & Dad.

I could go on and on about this family, but suffice to say, they are a pleasure to know and be around.

(This was taken at David Luke’s place in Florida, A real craftsman but  still country at heart)

Thanks for sharing a joy with me.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty.

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1956 Dodge Royal Lancer. This is the Car Kenneth had,  He had the 4dr. That was a load when the family was aboard.

 

Random pictures of their pastors, but featuring Glenda, she is the one who is sort of the glue between us and the family. She keeps us abreast of what is happening.