On This Day – July 22, 1925

This is going to be a bit of a different post for me. I am going to post some pictures that bring back some good memories for me as I was growing up. They all have to do with my grandpa, the man I was named after. The person I spent a whole lot of time with growing up, including a lot of my summers traveling on the truck that he drove. He would have been 90 years old today and he is missed by his family as much today as he was the day he passed away in 1996.

These are my grandparents... Taken a few days after their wedding — These are my grandparents… Taken a few days after their wedding

This would have been taken in about 1959. How about that '58 Olds in front of the boat. — This would have been taken in about 1959. How about that ’58 Olds in front of the boat.

Not sure when/where this one was taken, but they look like they were having fun, and that car. That would make a cool hot rod!

Here I am with him at about one year old.

And again at about 8 years old. This was my first trip to California with him the truck and we stopped at Old Tuscon, Arizona. — And again at about 8 years old. This was my first trip to California with him on the truck. This picture was taken at Old Tucson, Arizona.

Now, about those trucks. I don’t remember the first couple that he owned, but the last few, I spent a lot of time in, whether it was rolling down the road, or just hanging around the hose. Growing up, my grandparents lived across the street from us and he parked the truck in the field next to our house.

This was the first truck he bought sometime around 1967. A red/white Kenworth Cabover.

The second one was a black/white Kenworth Cabover. This was bought in the early 70s, and check out that load of tractors.

This is the first truck that I remember, and the one that I made my first trip with him to California. A mid-70s Kenworth.

This one is a late 70s Peterbilt Cabover. The best I remember, he didn't keep this hardly a year, because he didn't like cabovers. So, I am not sure why he even bought it. — This one is a late 70s Peterbilt Cabover. The best I remember, he didn’t keep this hardly a year, because he didn’t like cabovers. So, I am not sure why he even bought it.

And, this is the last one that he bought. A 1979 Peterbilt. I made a many a trips on this one. And, no he didn't dress like that when he drove. — And, this is the last one that he bought. A 1979 Peterbilt. I made a many a trips on this one. And, no he didn’t dress like that when he drove.

This may be my favorite truck, mainly cause this was the first big truck that I got to drive. Boy, my mom and grandma were not happy about that. I was only 13 at the time.... — This may be my favorite truck, mainly cause this was the first big truck that I got to drive. Boy, my mom and grandma were not happy about that. I was only 13 at the time….

Even when he was at home, there was work to do in getting ready to leave on the trip.... — Even when he was at home, there was work to do in getting ready to leave on the trip….

One thing that he loved and almost never missed, was Christmas. He loved being home with the family on this holiday, and I don’t think I can remember one that he missed.

Oh, yeah... He liked guns also. — Oh, yeah… He liked guns also.

Another thing that he loved, was his family. I know that he was proud of his kids, grandkids, and this little one. This is the great-granddaughter. She is less than a year old in this picture and is now 21 years old.

Another thing that I know, is that he loved my grandma and she loved him. I was around many times when we would leave for a trip, and she was always there to see him off. She’d fix his thermos of coffee, pack his bag, and just make sure he had everything that he needed for the trip. They were just shy of their 50th wedding anniversary when he passed away.

Also taken in Old Tuscon, AZ — Also taken in Old Tucson, AZ

Taken about a year before they were married

Screen Shot 2015-06-29 at 8.13.13 AM — Taken about a year before they were married

This post has been over a month in the works I got some help from my mom and grandma to gather the pictures for and I hadn’t told them what I was doing with them. So, Thank You, to them for helping me with this. There isn’t anything more important to me than my family, which is the way it should be.

Thanks for bearing with me while I veer away from car shows and such to remember a day that means a lot to me.

Jul 22, 2015don.searls