Don Grazer went ahead of J.D. to scout out the best fishing and hunting spots in heaven.
David Milam tried desperately to teach J.D. how to golf but the game interupted his storytelling. J.D. did learn to win the big money by only getting close to the green and putting for the win.
Neighbors in Sun City Grand who were always up for a good time.
Although most the 10 great grandbabies came along after his disease began, his playfullness and antics made him a favorite playmate.
Nothing gave Papa J more joy than spending time with his grandbabies. All 5 of them held a special place in his heart and shared many memories of adventures with their Papa J.
Dead Eye J.D..
Few could rival his prowess with anything that would shoot. Whether it be a BB gun, slingshot with marbles or a shotgun. Anything that moved was fair game; even some things that didn't move. One of his favorite quotes was, "I never shot a sign that didn't deserve it!" (for the record, we never saw him shoot a sign.).
Many friends and relatives would create wonderful memories with J.D. on his boat at any one of Arizona's lakes; especially Lake Powell. He ususally had a pontoon boat but during his midlife crisis, he bought a jet boat. He loved taking the friends, family, grandbabies and great grandbabies around the lake on "big bertha" his inflabable tube.
Many fish met their demise on the hook of Papa J.
Thanksgiving at the Erwin home meant piling into a station wagon or worse, a furniture truck and driving for two days to Texas. First to El Paso to visit Roxie's relatives, on to Monahans and finally to Odessa where the Erwin clan would gather for food and Dallas Cowboys football. Aunt Sue may be credited with J.D.'s love of pie!
In later years it was gatherings at the lake house in San Angelo for Fourth of July with JD's family.
In 2001 they moved to Sun City Grand and immediatly found lots of friends and J.D. could often be found at the community gym or golf course.
For 30 years, J.D. and Roxie raised thier family in Village Meadows where they established lifelong bonds with friends that still exist today.
In 1957, J.D. and Roxie hooked up a 45' mobile home and headed west to Phoenix to be with Roxie's mom and stepdad, Leo Allen. Together J.D. and Leo started Pacific Mfg. Co. manufacturing "armless divans"... 4 for $100.
Once established in Phoenix, they purchased a home in Village Meadows at Bell Road and what is now I-17.
J.D. moved to Odessa to work in the oil fields for Bush Oil Company (George H Bush's father) where he met his wife of 60 years, Roxie Pearl Cound. They met at White's Auto. When he walked in, Roxie thought he looked just like Elvis.
J.D. served in the Navy onboard the USS Hornet as an Aircraft Machinist Mate during the Korean War. He spent time in Japan and actually was an extra in the movie, The Bridges of Toko Ri starring William Holden and Grace Kelly in 1954.
His dad (Blackie) took him down and signed him up when he reached legal age and said, "keep him for 20 years".
He served honorably and returned to Odessa Texas.
