Born in 1921 the son of a fruit farmer, my Dad always had a great love for nature and the outdoors. He passed that love on to me.
During the depression he worked some summers building trails in state parks for the CCC while only a young teen.
Drafted in early 1942, he fought his way through Sicily, Italy and landed on Omaha Beach on D-day. Then on some un-named hill halfway across France, German artillery damned near blew him to pieces. A year and a half in an Army hospital and injuries that would plague him for the rest of his life. Eventually costing him his lower right leg some years later.
After the war, he took an office clerk job at the International Harvester Foundry in Memphis. 33 years later, he retired as Chief Production Expediter.
I remember as a kid how much he loved quail hunting. We had some great bird dogs over the years. But sadly he had to give that up when I was still young as his old leg injuries got worse.
However, we were a camping family. Always enjoying the outdoors. We started out in those old heavy canvas tents and eventually, after retirement, he and Mom traveled around with a very nice trailer.
I remember him as a man of quiet strength. He simply dealt with whatever life dumped on him and rarely complained. He rarely raised his voice, but God help you if he did! He loved my Mom, me and my sister with all his heart and soul. He was always there for us, no matter what.
Seven different times the angel of Death came for him. Six times Dad fought him off. He finally passed in 1987 at the age of 66. The same age I am now. I still miss him dearly.

Reading these post make me misty eyed. My Dad died in 1994 at age 66. He was great! I could fill this forum with good stuff but I won't. Cuz I'd probably need a box of tissues.

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S&W Accumulator

My Dad was born in 1914. When the depression hit He went to God's Lake Canada and worked as a hard rock miner. Earned $16 a week. Met and married Mom in 1934. When Gods Lake pettered out They moved to Winnipeg near Moms sister. My brother and I were born there and came to the US in Dec 45. Dad was still on Okinawa, where He went after leaving Iwo Jima when I was born. They moved to SoDak because of the Mine. Dad liked disipline in His kids and We got plenty. He also believed in hard work and honesty. When He left the mine and bought a gas station I started working then at 9 years old busting truck tires. He supported us kids in everything We wanted to do except when I wanted to go hunting. Said He would never kill another living creature and wouldn't take Me. Aslo said He would let Me go with other kids. He coached hockey and refed local games. Finally got Him to go antelope hunting when I was 18 and headed for the military. Sadly He died of cancer after I returned. I always try to imagine what could have been. The one event(several) I will never forget was when He asked for more coffee at dinner. When I poured I always said 'say when', I remember hitting the wall before the coffee pot most of the time.

My father died at age 46 of cancer. As a boy I was scared to death of him as he knocked me around at the drop of a hat. Parents divorced when I was 11 and remarried when I was 16. Things were better but he lacked ambition. They divorced again when I was 18. We reconciled when I got out of the Army at 21. We met at a bar and I let it all out. He took it and we were pals until he died 2 years later. Troubled man and I think it may have been due to fighting in the Pacific. I recently learned in addition to his purple heart and combat infantry badge, he had a bronze star.

Really glad I we reconciled.

My Dad was the Oldest of 3 Brothers...Born in 1917, He worked the Pacific Northwest in the CCCs...He was drafted in 1942 and married my Mom that year... He was in the 3rd ID and a Platoon Sgt..He and my Mom split not long after the attached pic.....I lost Dad in 1980 @ 62.... My Uncle explained a lot in later years. miss my Dad, wish He could’ve seen his Grandson and Granddaughter grow up and become responsible, successful Adults.

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I'm one of the lucky ones. My dad was born in rural Kentucky in 1930 on a hard luck farm. He started school in a 1 room schoolhouse and then entered University of Kentucky at age 16. Graduated with a 5 year degree in 4 years and was managing a Kroger store in Middlesboro Ky at age 21.

He was a gun collector and a shrewd businessman, overcame a drinking problem and spent the last 20 years of his life helping other alcoholics. Prostate cancer got him in 1997 a couple weeks before his 67th b'day and just after he and mom's 48th anniversary.

We were close all our lives and I still miss him very much.

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God spelled backwards is dog.

"Did you have a Dad?"

Yes, I had a Dad, until I was almost 10 years old, until August 25, 1953.

He died on that day from a stroke, at the young age of 49. I grew up jealous of boys and later men, that had their Dads as they grew up and got to fish and hunt with him, and have grandchildren to sit on his lap and hug him and tell him they loved him.

It still hurts when I think of him, even though I'm not jealous any more. One day I will see him again, I have so much to tell him.

So, if you have a Dad still in your life, go give him a hug, or call him up and tell him you love him.

I have to go now, the screen seems to be getting blurry.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

My Dad is nearly 91. Born at the tail end of 1929 during the great depression, he grew up dirt poor. His father was an abusive alcoholic. His mother an LVN who supported the family far more than her husband did. He served in the Army during Korea, but remained stateside - spent most of his enlistment in San Francisco. Dad was 30 when I was adopted. Mom had been told she couldn't have children. Then shortly after they adopted me she found out she was pregnant with my sister.

When I was growing up he was a workaholic. Dad and Grandad owned a barbecue place. We never wanted for anything, but didn't see Dad much growing up. Our relationship became much better in later years. I knew he loved me growing up, but we didn't spend much time together. He says the fact that he didn't take more time for us kids is his biggest regret in life. I've tried not to make that mistake with my son and mostly succeeded, I think.

At nearly 91 he is healthy and independent. Lives in his own home with his second wife. My son and I go see them just about every week for a few games of spades and chickenfoot and to share a meal. We are richly blessed to be able to spend some time together now, in some small way making up for what we missed years ago.

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Or something like that . . .

I don't know much about my father youth and how he was raised. His father was a farmer and dad worked on the farm. Dad quit school in the tenth grade. He married his first wife when he was 18 and had their son 7 months later. by the time he was 20 he married my mom. My dad did the best he could trying to support his family; 4 son's 1 by his first wife and 2 others with my mom. Dad was 4F for WWII. I came along in December 1947. Dad worked for GM for a while, was a block maker, worked in a hardware stop as a parts and small engine repairman, as a farm manager a couple of times, was a really good welder, finely retired form Chrysler Motors. started his own lawn service; worked at that for about 10 years until he developed memory problems. We never lived in a house for more the 2 years. we never mover from the county I was born in until 1966. My dad was easy going slow to anger. Don't mess with his family, My dad was on trial for attempted murder, it was reduced to self defense, neighbor was trying to get into the house at night when my mom and my brothers were home alone. Dad came home early from work saw the guy and what was going on; dad pulled the shotgun from the car a blasted the guy. Dad worked a lot some times 2 jobs. My mom became to have mental health problems which caused money problems legal problems. I went hunting with my dad, we fished, the thing I remember the most are the Sunday drives, we would all get into the car and just drive then stop at a county store, dad would get a ring of bologna, some cheese, chips, apples and a 6 pack of Nehi mix bottles of pop. I learn hard work pays off, all ways do your best, always finish what you start, your family comes first. Marriage takes work. a days work for a days pay
I left home after I finished high school, I needed to get away from my mother. i would go visit every year, never got to really know my father very well as an adult. Dad pasted in 2001 at age 72, I miss him and I have regrets,

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Carpriver.

My Father and Mother had 9 children. He was one of 15 children in his family and the youngest.
Dad worked hard most of his life, was in the Army Air Corps during WWII, and then after coming home went to work in a metal stamping plant, eventually becoming one of the Shop Foremen.
We would go hunting together once in a while and fished too.
He was a good Father and He and Mom made sure we had a good life. He died of Cancer and most of us siblings were there with him when he passed. Mom lived many years after Dad died, and was very active until one afternoon she went to go down to the basement, apparently fell down the steps and died after striking her head on the way down the stairs.
Us siblings miss them very much.

My Dad was born in 1908 and died in 2000 at age 91. My Mom died at
age 47, so Dad was a widower for over 40 years. He started as a section
hand with the U.P. Railroad and retired as a Roadmaster. He travelled
a lot with his job, so was not home much during my growing up years.
He always took me and my little brother fishing and hunting. Many
pleasant memories. I was 65 when he died, so I am thankful that I
was able to spend 65 years knowing him. I miss him.

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In Omnia Paratus

My dad died in 1999 just shy of his 86th birthday. I was hoping to get him to the turn of the century but his kidneys failed.

Best role model I ever had. We fished together a lot. Of all the people I respect he is at the top #1.

My father was born 107 years ago, died in 2000, and lived through WWI, the Great Depression, WWII, 1st human in space, and me! What a time to experience in this world, with all the changes and advancements made.

He used to tell me about horse drawn school bus in rural Indiana, Having to back his grandmother's Model T up the hill to her house, since it would run out of gas if going up hill frontwards. I think of him often when doing family genealogy. My enjoyment of firearms and shooting started at a young age going to the trap range with him. Too young to operate the hand trap then, but I could keep score.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

"Ring of bologna"........We did that.

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S&W Accumulator