Bub Page, Things you hate to hear

Death takes on a new meaning when it comes to a friend of your youth.

When Dad took the pastorate at Valdese, NC I met some great kids near my age. Two blocks away was Peter David Hunt, three blocks away was Guy Abee, about 3/4 mile away was Paul Settlemyer, and a mile away was Jim and Bub Page. These guys easily reachable by bicycle.

The Pages had a Pinto Pony called Frank. Frank served as a pet and a plow horse for the small farm. Frank was the first horse I ever rode by myself with a saddle, and he threw me. But Garland (the dad) said, “Get back on him.”  I did and all was well.

To me, there was nothing like the Page family, they were the best. Garland and Ethel worked and the kids had chores to do EVERY DAY around the small farm. I actually enjoyed going and helping (or getting the way) as the chores were done. Jim had the outside chores and Bub (his dad called him Baker) fixed supper. As I remember Bub baked a pone of cornbread every night. Most nights he fixed peas or beans. Milk was always there. There was a smoke house out back where Bub could cut some fat back or bacon to season with.

              Paul David Page’s Obit picture, FITTING!

For two or three years I was at their house probably 3 times a week most of the time more. Recently Jim, whose name is James Dean, informed me that Bub was very sick and wasn’t expected to live.  Bub passed away Dec. 3rd.

Some of the best evenings of my life were spent on their porch. Garland picking the guitar  and everyone singing. Bub and Jim could sing like the Everly Brothers, they could have been famous I have no doubt. Garland himself was a good singer with a mellow voice.

Bub was really Paul David Page, his name at birth. We flew kites, swam creeks and the Catawba together. Explored the mountains all the way to High Peak. Pitched horse shoes and since Garland worked at Kirksey’s we could go there and watch TV at night. Neither of our families had TV’s at the time. I remember thinking how cool is that? Having a key to the back door of Kirksey’s Furniture Store?

Bub was witty. He always had a come-back.  But it was the friendship, Jim and Bub were friends when I needed a friend. Valdese will always hold a special spot in my heart. Jim and Linda will miss their brother. Bub had a family I never met, they will miss him terribly, Bub was one personable dude. 

Even thought I am not around, I will miss knowing Bub Page is not there anymore. We saw him last at Myra’s, where he, Sherry, Shirl, Jim, Linda, Robby, Betty and I  joked a lot. We remembered meeting last as kids, at the Rat Hole (Valdese Sandwich Shop).

Life takes a lot of turns, but to my friend Paul Page, I wish fair winds and following seas as you travel into the unknown before I do my friend. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised on the other side. I loved you as a brother. I will miss you.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

Some people are easy to remember, the Family Page is one group of those people.

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Another 3-D painting on a Tractor and trailer