Joes, paintballs and a party at Irv's. 

Nap was a very talented magician.  He always had a trick up his sleave.

I was most amazed when he dove behind the couch with an empty wine bottle complete with cork inside?  He popped up with the bottle in one hand, and the cork in the other!  Amazing.  Always an entertainer and lots of fun.  

You are often remembered Nap.  

Charles Mott

Friend and neighbor

It's hard to believe it's been 12 years since we celebrated Nap's birthday at Irv's beautiful home with all the winter Texans.  Big bluegills, birthday, berries and Bemidji.

Even Joe's Cabins was an interesting experience - bathroom sink in the shower.  And not to forget the paintball berries. 

Nap and Elayne were in Tomahawk for a summer gathering of the winter Texans from Hunt's Castle.  And - perfect timing - there was a magician performing (and bartending) at a local tavern.  Now Nap and Scott both enjoyed magic, they'd gone to Corpus to check out a magic shop and even put on a show one New Year's Eve at Hunt's.  The bartending magician was good, it was lots of fun.  Then to top it off they had lots of raffles going that night.  Nap won every single one.  Fireworks, a collectible bank and I can't remember what else.  I think about five or six prizes, maybe more.  All in all - a magical evening.

In his handwriting, here is what Nap wrote on the back of this (undated) picture...


"This picture was taken in 1949 or 1950, I believe. The car is Mom and Dad's '49 Ford which was bought new. The boy I am quite sure is Glenn Anderson, son of Norris and Eileen Anderson, who was (Norris) Dad's hired man on the farm. They lived in the "little house". Glenn may still live in Lake Mills.

The toys came from Minot, ND. Mom & Dad and I took a trip to see Julie & Ferris Price (Dad's sister). Ferris worked for International Harvester Corp. They had a booth a a fair at the time of our visit.

I got to bring home these toys: a manure spreader, an IH tractor, a plow, a pick-up and I don't recall the last one. The pick-up (yellow) I still have. N.D.A. 2008"      

In his handwriting, here is what Nap wrote on the back of this picture dated Jul 1961...


"This is my Aunt Jeanette (Mom's sister). This picture is at the farm where I lived until we moved into Forest City in Mar 1954. Jeanette and Pete then moved to the farm."  

I'm proud to say I'm a graduate of the Nap crab cleaning classes!

    This was taken at Atlantic Beach, NC some time in Oct 1997. It is my favorite picture of my two favorite beings, who ever intersected my life - Nap and Dixie.

    We were traveling and exploring up the coast of N Carolina after Labor Day and had very many places eerily to ourselves that I suppose are normally packed with people..

    At Liz T's recommendation we had stopped on the mainland at Morehead City to go to the famous Sanitary Kitchen and Seafood Market Restaurant, then proceded across to the barrior island to an Atlantic Beach hotel that someone at the restaurant recommended as reasonable.

   There we spent a few days at a wonderful old, 4 story, family owned, 50's "moderne" hotel. Name I cannot recall, but it was a throw back. All the furniture and "look" was the original 50's version because they had never updated anything!

    We became conisseurs of the local lunch speciality at the 2 or 3 little places that were left open after Labor Day - a fried fish sandwich served on a toasted regular hamburger bun but with cole slaw IN the sandwich (of course!) and we took beach walks frequently and at varying times of the day.

   One evening as the sun was setting, I got this perfect picture of Nap and Dixie... their footprints, their shadows elongated and the late afternoon silvery shimmer on the water and the sand. I have always thought they look in this picture as if they are walking into eternity together... and so they have.   

In his handwriting, here is what Nap wrote on the back of this picture of him (undated)...


"Nap "posing" with Mom and Dad's 1957 Ford."  

In his handwriting, here is what Nap wrote on the back of this picture of him with his cousin, Dick Petersen (dated Jun 1953)...


"This is our kitchen on the farm. In early 1954 (Mar?) we moved from the farm to Forest City. Note the medicine cabinet. In the picture is my cousin Dick Petersen. He died in 1978 at age 42. We were very close growing up." Nap  

In his handwriting, here is what Nap wrote on the back of this picture of him with his Dad, Leonard Arne. (undated but says probably late 40's)...

"Nap with his Dad at Bonnie and Bob's apartment in Pittsburgh, PA. This is probably late 40's. We were visiting Bonnie and Bob. In this picture, Dad and I are on our way to a Pittsburgh pirates baseball game. Ralph Kiner was a major league star who played for the Pirates. We saw him!"
  

In his handwriting, here is what Nap wrote on the back of this picture (dated Jun 1946) of him with family dogs in a cart...


"Nap with the family dogs on the farm. White dog is Mitzi, who was the mother. the other dog may be her first pup, who we named Tinker." 

In his handwriting, here is what Nap wrote on the back of this picture (undated) of him with friends Glen and Erby Anderson...

"Nap with hired man's kids - Glen (on my right) and Erbyn (Erby) Anderson (on my left). Hired man was Norris Anderson (wife Eileen). They lived in a little house located on the farm. In this picture, we had "decorated" ourselves using corn silk from the field."

In his handwriting, here is what Nap wrote on the back of this picture (dated Apr 1948) of him shooting baskets...


"Nap shooting baskets at our farm NW of Leland, IA. Barn, silo, windmill and dad's truck all visible." 

In his handwriting, here is what Nap wrote on the back of this picture of him with work horses Nellie and Queen. It is around 1940 and he is about age 2 in the picture...


"Nap with Dad's work horses (Nellie and Queen) in front of the barn on the farm where we lived, (directions - NW of Leland, IA... 2 miles N of Leland, left on Hwy 7, 1 mile, then right on gravel road, then 3/4 mile, on the left, this was home!)  Farm was owned by Grandpa Ole J. Olson. Some times my Dad would put me on one of the horses and go for a short ride. What a treat!"    N.D.A. 

With apologies to uncles Karl, Ned, Al and Bob (although he ran a close second) Uncle Nappy was my favorite.  I bet he was everyone’s favorite.  To say I looked up to him is an understatement.  As Candy wrote, he made you feel like the most important person in the world. Uncle Nappy taught me that enjoying life was important, to take risks from time to time, and to laugh at myself.  I see his influence in things I do everyday and I will miss him greatly.

 I remember once we were playing gin and he told me that if I believed enough in what the next card needed to be, it would happen.  It worked for him but never for me although I sure tried.  I remember that ostrich competition too.  He let me play too and I was so honored.  You always knew that if Uncle Nap was involved, it was going to be a good time.  He invented and then reinvented fun no matter what the occasion.  The first thing you did when you saw uncle Nappy was smile. 

Happy he is Nappy:
*Playing spoons on his knee. "Watch this.  Ever seen that being done?  Not many can do that you know."
*Mexican Train and the Ping hat of shame.
*One and only ride on the motorcycle in St. Louis.
*Knocks on the front door Christmas morning.
*Jew Harp (refer to playing spoons)
*Gaosconade floats. "It's ok to go in the river.  I suppose I can drive you back to the shore if that's what you really want to do..."
*Ostrich dance and subsequent egg hatch.
*Kareoke
*"You bet!"
*Leonard mug next to Nana's.
*"I suppose you're wondering why we have our teeth blackened..."
*So many trips to St. Louis, Gasconade, and TX.
*"For land's sake..."
*A phone call two years ago. 
*his laugh
So happy you are Nappy!
Love you lots,
Andy
 

Uncle Nappy was my first friend.  He was more like a big brother to me than an uncle, and to say that I absolutely adored him doesn't even come close to my true feelings.  The uncontrolled glee from the Holt kids that greeted an announcement of a visit from him would have put a nuclear explosion to shame.  He was more alive than any person I have ever known, and twice as much fun. 

I was the only little kid in the family for a long time, so I got to spend quality time with Uncle Nappy, and that's when he taught me "the ropes".  We fed the squirrels and puppies together.  He showed me how to do chin-ups on windmills.  We partied big-time with popcorn and root beer at the drive-in.  And he taught me the meaning of mischief!  He was The Mastermind, and I was his henchman!   

I was by his side when he swiped Grampa's pickup truck, and took it into the field to do "wheelies".  We got stuck in the mud.  It was a really long walk back to the house to confess.  

One day, Nap and Cousin "Toolie " (Anita Ann) decided it would be a really great idea to give me a disease!  They rubbed dandelion flowers all over me and turned me yellow.  We thought it was hysterical, but Mom didn't have much of a sense of humor in those days, and I ended up in the bath tub. 

Oh, but then the most diabolical of all!  The Mastermind turned on his very own henchman.  He decided to teach me how to do lifesaving "artificial respiration."  But in Nappy's version, that ended up being a back rub.  Three or four times a day, the cry would go up, "Oh, I think I'm Dying!!  I need artificial respiration!"  And he would stagger to the couch, moaning and groaning - to which, I would spring into action  to save his life!  This went on for years.  He was a true Mastermind!

When Nana & Grampa moved into town, we had snowball wars.   It was Nap in his little fort against me and my friends in our really big fort.  We were finally going to win!  But he was the essence of sneaky, and disappeared from our view.  The next thing we knew, we were being snowball-bombed from the roof of Nana & Grampa's house.  We lost.  

We spent evenings eating butterbrickle ice cream and popcorn and rootbeer from the drive-in, while watching Disneyland (yes, it was called that) and The Whirlybirds on TV.  

We made May baskets for our friends and delivered them to the doorsteps, ringing the bells and running off to hiding places to watch the basket discovery with glee.  It was hard to surpress the giggles.

He taught me to polish my tennis shoes, and the right amount of butter (1/4 inch thick) to spread on banana nut bread.  He convinced me that only "cool" guys used ButchWax.  When I was lonely, he hugged me and made me feel better.  When I accidentally broke a porch light at the house across the street while playing "Annie Annie Over", he stopped my hysterical tears and even coaxed me out of Nana & Grampa's basement.  He said, "Don't worry, Grampa will pay for it.  Don't be sad".  And he hugged me and I felt safe.  If it weren't for Nappy, I'd still be down there.  I was inconsolable.

Nappy helped us build a miniature golf course and was rewarded by having to eat dinner with Robert and me around my toy box.  All the while laughing and smiling and making us feel like the most important people in the world.

In the later years, we became more sophisticated, and practiced practical jokes.  His absolute favorite was short-sheeting my bed!  Every time he visited, I would wait for it to happen - always knowing it would.......but when?  But Nappy, a true Mastermind, would sometimes leave without short-sheeting - no doubt trying to lull me into a false sense of security!  Two weeks later, when I was no longer on alert - guess what always happened?  A brilliant Mastermind!!  A Master Mastermind!!!

To say how much I love my Uncle Nappy - how much we all loved Uncle Nappy - can't even begin to describe our depth of feeling for him.   He was our heart and soul.  We thank God we had him in our lives.  He made them worthwhile, and an awe-full lot of fun!  And now he's in heaven with my beautiful sister Chris.  She is getting the condo ready for all of us, and I have no doubt that Nappy is short-sheeting all the beds!


We will love you forever!           --- Candy and all the family               

This is how Nap's Tribute notice will appear in the paper (Rockport Pilot) tomorrow, New Years Eve, 31 Dec 2014.

Tina Riley, Pilot graphic designer, has worked her magic to make it special adding the card suit border and bluebonnets and sea gull at the bottom that I am sure would make Nap smile.


(Click on photo to enlarge)   


 


   


     

Eayne - just wanted  to to tell you how sorry Jan and I are about Nap's passing.He was a great friend, mentor and boss.  There are so many stories from the AVSCOM days that I don't even know where to start so we will start with a prayer knowing that Nap is will be with us for eternity and you will join him when the lord wills.

Best of luck

chuck and Jan Trendley 

Thank you Jerry! Great story! Yes, you could have blown up the entire internet back then! LOL!

This is for you military types like Jerry, I am looking at Nap's discharge DD214 dated 27 Sep 63 ...

Grade, Rate or Rank - SSGT E-6

Specialty Number and Title - 971.60, Mil Intel Spec

Last Duty Assignment and Major Command -
Reg 1, 113 INTC Group, 5th US Army  

Related Civilian Occupation and DOT Number - 1-18-.35, Investigator  

Decorations - Sharpshooter (Rifle), Good Conduct Medal, Letter of Appreciation

School or Course - US Army Intelligence School (no oxymoron jokes now!! Show some respect for those Intel troops! or "Spooks" as Nap told me they called themselves.)  

Major Courses - Mil Intel Spec, Code of Conduct, Mil Justice, Geneva Conv,
DBR (what is that? I have no idea) 

If you want to know his Blood Group (A), got that too!   Love the US Army!  They think of everything!           
          

I’m deeply saddened by the news of Nap’s passing.  I knew him for many years in my many Army Tours at AVSCOM (or whatever it was called at the various times).  My memories are cemented by the trust and support Nap provided to me especially on my last tour there when, as an Army LTC, I was assigned to buy 300 Blackhawks and 100+ Apaches.  While many times I’m sure he shook his head after one of my meetings with him, he always backed me when I did battle with the helicopter manufactures or the bureaucrats at AMC.  He once told me that I alone justified his office’s expense to buy a FAX machine to get my nightly memos.  He was lucky we didn’t live then in an era of email etc.  He was a true dedicated Civil Servant and by looking at the pictures today, I see that he was also a SSG in the Army. 

Rest in Peace Nap. 

Jerry P. Mellick
LTC, US Army (Retired)