Ok Jamie I got out the copy of the newspaper article when Dad got the "Orchid from the Gideon Newspaper" and it says that he taught in the rural schools of Gideon district for two years prior to WWII and that he was engaged in farming and later in the feed and hardware business in Kentucky before returning to teaching. So evidently he taught originally without a degree?? Hope this answers one more of your questions!lol Love, Judy

Jamie, I'm pretty sure that Dad and Gaston BOTH worked in the Gideon School System. Dad rode a bus out into the country and taught at a rural school--he's talked about walking in the mud and about his students being not much younger than he. I always thought it was out around Hartzel---where Randall grew up. I don't know if you had to have a degree to teach back then. I figure he went to Gideon because of Gaston. Pat and Pam were born in Nov 1951---they definitely were living in Murray then. I'm thinking Dad worked on his Master's that second semester (Jan-May) and then that summer before moving to Gideon. I know we moved to Gideon just like a few days or that weekend before school started on that Mon of my 1st grade. I was still 5---fixing to turn 6---1952. I'm thinking that he must have finished his degree that next summer + took some correspondence courses during that school year. I do know that we did not move back to Murray again as a fam. Ona did marry in June of 1963 after graduating in May of 1963----she finished in 3 years. No idea on the docs for Pat and Pam other than the Dr. Houston or whatever his name was. I'm so excited that you'll be back in KY! WHOO-OOOO! Hey, we'll make some BIG plans as soon as you're ready and available! FUN!!!!!! Ok, I'm off to bed---I'm pooped and I've got a nasty cold! GREAT! What a way to spend a vacation! LOL! NOT!!!!! Love you all, Jeanie

I thought Dad was already teaching school in Gideon before he left for WW2. I know Ona was born in Miss Gertie's house across the street from our Gideon house... When Dad was drafted he left Missouri to go back to Clay in hopes he's be sent out with Kentucky boys he knew. So he had not completed college prior to WW2....what was he doing in Gideon then? I know he worked at the mill...I thought that was at night to help make ends meet. Did he go there with Gaston? Did Gaston ever work in Gideon? Keep those answers coming!! Love you, Jamie

Good grief sister Jamie!lol I have no clue about any of those except that I couldn't start to school the first year we moved to Gideon because I wasn't old enough and it was Jeanie's first year of school. Since I was born in 1947, it had to be 1951 or 52. Pat and Pam were born by then too so what year were they born? I think it was November 1951. I'm HORRIBLE with dates and stuff!lol I do know that Gaston was the principal at Mayfield and that they thought they were hiring him instead of Dad. Don't know about his education though. In 1947 Mom and Dad were living in the apartment on top of the feedstore in Clay is something else I know!lol Dad was getting his masters at Murray when the twins were born, so again, what year was that? Okay, called Jeanie and she said that she had made copies of Dad's diplomas for all of us===is she smart or what???lol Okay, according to the copies of stuff, Dad graduated from Clay High School on May 13,1937. He graduated from Murray State College with his BS on January 26,1952. He graduated from Murray State College with his Masters on July 30,1953. So Pat and Pam HAD to have been born in 1951 while we were living there and Dad getting his BS. We may have stayed there until summer 1952 while he worked on his master's before moving to Gideon. I know for SURE that we moved there in 1952 and Jeanie started 1st grade. He evidently worked on his Master's with correspondent courses and perhaps went over for a summer school in 1953 before receiving his Master's degree because we definitely did not move from Gideon back to murray for him to finish in 1953. Jeanie said Ona graduated from Murray in 1963. She married in 1963 too in June maybe?? before you were born in 1963 on Sept 1. Okay, that's the wealth of all my knowledge! lol Hopefully helped some. Love to all, Judy

Questions....Dad graduated from Murray the first time in what year? 1940? And then with his master's in 1952? Was it still Murray State Teacher's College then? Also, Pat and Pam...Mom and Dad always said your doctor was a Dr Houston in Murray...his son, also Dr Houston, was a friend of Jerry's in college..but I thought I recalled you saying that Mom always told you it was a Dr Cook? maybe. Maybe Dr Houston was Mom's doctor at Murray...any light would be wonderful. Also, what year did you all leave Murray...1952? Dad had the farm for a couple of years between WW2 and going back to Murray for his masters and then eventually back to Gideon in 52....close? Really the principal job was suppose to be Gaston's right? Did Gaston graduate from Murray as well? He was a principal in Mayfield right? Any answers would be super!!! Oh one more...Ona graduated from Murray what year? Love you brainiacs...Jamie

Jamie is was great to talk to you today and I personally can't wait for you to be closer! I like it a LOT. I'll pass all the info you gave me on here and on the phone today to Brittney. I think it is a cumulative (sp?) thing from 2 tours in Iraq but the trauma was from the 1st one evidently since he lost his hearing for a while. I just didn't realize he had encountered so much. Not sure about the wounded warriors either but will ask. Ok, off the finish my cake. Jeanie and Bruce are coming to spend the night. Will be good to have some company! Love to all, Judy

Correction,the last four of Jerry's cell is 0170...I was tired and thought about this after I went to bed!! :)