Jack's 75th and 80th Birthday parties were legendary. They lasted for 3 days and friends from North Carolina and South Carolina would congregate and have great weekends that attendees still talk about. Jack's ex-wife, my mother, attended with her husband, for Dad's 80th birthday party. They travelled from Orlando. Mom and Dad were still close friends after their divorce until my Mom's passing in 2010.

George Ball, friend and expert photographer, compiled over 700 photos of these special events. Here is the link: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMhES7Ce_UUPM4J5TxRFV-Vs9V4S14xloTo30IBiA-gzuHNOicqil8JLT3iHeAIoA?key=MTE4MWtCaVQwbmtlUFpqV3FkSkNXTkdxb3FtaVB3 

When the photos come up, click on the 3 dots in the upper right hand corner and click on slideshow. Those that attended will surely enjoy the slideshow.

Thanks to George Ball for contributing this treasured file of photos.  

The Ohio River flood of 1937 took place in late January and February 1937. With damage stretching from Pittsburgh to Cairo, Illinois, one million people were left homeless, with 385 dead and property losses reaching $500 million ($8.7 billion in 2015 dollars). Federal and state resources were strained to aid recovery, as the disaster occurred during the depths of the Great Depression and a few years after the Dust Bowl.[1]    

Source: Wikipedia  


Jack and his family (Mother, Aunt and Grandmother) had to move three times, each to higher ground ,during this flood that stretched from the Hills on the Ohio side of the river to the Hills on the West Virginia side of the river. Link with pics: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Looking_west_on_Fourth_Avenue_during_the_1937_Flood.jpg#/media/File:Looking_west_on_Fourth_Avenue_during_the_1937_Flood.jpg

Jack served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as 3rd Class Signalman. He was in the North Pacific theatre of war and spent much time transporting soldiers and munitions during the Liberation of The Philippines 1944-1946.

He was assigned to an LST (LST-543: Landing Ship Tank).Since he was only 17 when he enlisted: he needed his Mother's written  permission.

After the war, his ship helped return Chinese prisoners.


Dad said he thought being in the Navy and wearing the uniform would be a great way to meet girls! 


God Bless "The Greatest Generation"         

Jack married Betty Lou Hatfield in Huntington, WV in 1955. 

Jack served as Michael's Best Man at his wedding to Nenita in Santa Fe, NM in

2006.

Jack was presented the highest award in Civilian Service in support of the U.S. Airforce at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH. He served for 37 years until his retirement in 1988.

Jack's birth was at home and he was stillborn. The nurse keept trying and trying, but could not get him to cry. Then, finally one last Whack brought him crying into the new world.