REMEMBERING MORE FAMILY HEROES
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! Today I honor more of my family members who have served!
George Joseph Stevenson: “Mick”
Mick Stevenson was the oldest boy in the Stevenson clan, named after his Dad. He like all his sibs but my Mom were born in Concordia, Kansas. My favorite story told by my Mom was that she caught her brothers Mick and Jack smoking in the basement as the smoke rolled up through a hole in the floorboards. Mom reported them to Grandma who promptly got a can of tobacco and made them smoke it all! Uncle Jack got really sick and did not smoke anymore! Tough Mick smoked till later in life! Mick also had several other adventures in his youth!
Mick, like his Dad before him, joined the Army near the end of World War II. The war was over before he was shipped out so he served in peacetime. Wasn’t he handsome?!
Mick returned home and met the love of his life Faye in Republican City, Nebraska where his family was.
Mick and Faye had 6 wonderful kids who have been through thick and thin together. Mick was a plumber his whole life and his son David followed him in this profession. The youngest of the 6, Kenneth, served in the Army in Desert Storm as an engineer. Two bricks honoring Mick and Kenneth’s military services were purchased by the family in a Memorial Brick Garden in Manhattan.
The Stevensons faced many things in their lives, the most serious being the total loss of two homes due to fires, one at Christmas when fortunately they were not home, and 10 years later, the second home when Mick, Faye, and two youngest kids were home. Mick helped get everyone out safely but his own lungs were singed badly. Later he suffered two bouts of throat cancer resulting in a laryngectomy and getting a voice box the rest of his life. He still maintained his sense of humor through it all! Aunt Faye said these total losses of homes taught what is really important in life.
Later in life Mick and Faye became like second parents to me and supported me in areas when my own parents could not, and based on some of their own life experiences. They were Godsends to me! I would often tell Aunt Faye first! They stayed one winter in Arizona to attend my ordination as a minister. Mick and I shared our stories of recovery. They were salt of the earth, maintained their humor whatever life threw at them, and was sustained by their Catholic faith. They spent many wonderful years traveling in their motorhome, just as Faye’s folks had done, and now their oldest daughter Bev and husband are doing!
Charles Francis “Chuck” Stevenson
The Stevenson boys from the left and my dad Walt on the far right.
Uncle Chuck beloved by nieces and nephews: With Richard, Carolyn Walters, and Janet Tieking.
Chuck was born in Republican City, Nebraska, and after high school graduation, moved with his folks and siblings to Washington State. Uncle Chuck served in the Army, first at Ft. Riley, Kansas, and later in Germany. My family was living in Manhattan near Ft. Riley at the time and we got to see him often!
Uncle Chuck loved kids and was in return loved by them! Some of my greatest memories were of him at ages 3 and 4 and teaching me how to dive. One of my favorite stories was when he tried to cut my hair with dog clippers to save money. I heard him say, “Oops!” when he goofed. It was the worst haircut ever! He tried to teach me how to drive in his old ’39 car. I slammed on the brakes and sent his glasses flying into the backseat! From then on, he called the car Galloping Gertie!
Other cousins have their stories with Uncle Chuck. (Please share)! Kenneth, who you met earlier, named their youngest son after Chuck when he was born on Chuck’s birthday.
Uncle Chuck taught elementary school for 33 years in the same school and raised orchids and champion Boston Terriers. He was always there for his family, especially his Mom after she was widowed. He died doing what he loved, judging at a dog show! He was buried near his parents and other family members.
I guess you can tell how much I love my maternal family. Being the first grandchild has always been very cool!
May your 4th of July now and in the future be a celebration of our country, our freedoms, and our ancestors!
Blessings
Carolyn
