Happy Birthday to Our Dad RAY DEE JONES SR dcd

  Today is the day our Dad was born.  His life was harried and worn and fun and casual.
He started life in Waterloo, Iowa area.  Later rode train to Wyoming where his Dad had gone to work for a cousin, with his Mom. He said he sat on her lap most of the time on the ride. He was small but he remembers going over a wide river and long bridge on the train.  ( I never got him back to that place) Felt bad for that.

He tried hard to do the right thing.  Seeing what he lived through he never wanted his family to experience those things.

YES, HUNGER, COLD, NEGLECT, were all part of his early life. Part of it was the times.

Some of it was the personalities. He loved school and was glad for all the schooling he received.

 He took us to see his school house he was so proud he was able to go there.  He made it through 8th grade.  Which in my day was same as High School.  That is how far back our Education has slid.

He had great support from family's when they lived near family and friends.

He was matured with a great couple whom we met. Mr and Mrs. Morris Thomas of Wheatland, WYO or Slater area.  His brother was taken in by another Rancher. The girls went to Cheyenne, WYO to live.  Found Husbands when young and had fabulous mates and families.  All the siblings were solid in their marriages. I had great Aunt's and some great Uncle's.  I was able to learn much from each one of them. Even Grandma came around and was a different person from when I was small. I loved them all.

Amazed that all the children had excellent families.

Took Dad years to find his Father.  We did find him and was so happy to share with us.
 It took Mom to get Dad to make up to his MOM.  She wouldn't marry him until he and his Mom were on speaking terms.

Ironic how two people could love each other so much and take it out in negative feedback then cry because they fought.  Grandad never remarried.  Grandma did and had a nice life while he was alive.

Dad worked on the ranches in Wheatland, Wyo area then got a chance to go to work at the Diamond Tail Ranch in Greybull, Wyo.   He gave up Rodeo after marrying MOM.  He loved working the cattle and the land.

He came to California to help his Brother in Law with his Dairy Ranch since milkers were being called to WAR. Ollimac Dairy, Very well known in CA.
When War was over he changed jobs and worked another dairy and chicken Ranch combo.
I watched a horrid fire there. Had to run to neighbors to tell them to call for Fire help. I was 5 or 6.
It was end of WAR time and few had phones, our neighbors did and the men had gotten in the truck to go try and stop the fire approaching the ranches buildings. They had grabbed shovels and buckets.

When we moved to our own land in 1948, Dad called it his Mini Ranch.  We had cattle, cows for milk, animals for eating and chickens for eggs. We grew wheat, oats, and alfalfa. We always had a good size garden.
We grew corn, beans, cabbages, squash, beets, turnips, carrots, onions, cucumbers, radishes and some times we had Strawberries. But it was the Blackberries I loved. Mom used Asparagus to mark garden rows.
We had fruit trees because it was a test ground for a famous person. Delicious apple was created there on our ground some years before we bought it. Best Blackberries ever.
I liked the apple from tree before the Delicious.  It was more tart.  I loved my horse. Old Crow.

Ironic, I even had a pet crow named Pete we raised after he fell out of his nest 30 feet up in tree.
I had a 4-H calf that when grew up I milked.  Some day write a story about this lady.  She loved Bologna and lettuce sandwiches.

 Learned I did not like Geese, they may be watch dogs but they are mean.
Loved my Dog, Australian Shepherd.  Tubby. When small he rolled everywhere so called Tubby but his legs finally grew. Dad help me pick him out from one of his friend ranch.

Dad liked to have cats on the ranch to mouse and keep rodents down.

Dad taught us to butcher and care for the meat and grow the produce and care for the keeping of the vegetables as of course Mom did too.

Dad taught me to make Pancakes when I was about 6 years of age. Mom was very ill.  He, later when we had our own home, taught me how to make biscuits and use a gas oven.  Mom was very ill again. Taught me how to hand milk a cow, feed hogs and chickens and horses. I learned how to feed calves at my Aunts home long before we bought our place.  I learned milk machines the year I graduated

Dad was strong on his children getting a good education and be reliable.

Dad would have a beer after hard work and share with friends but only on holidays it seemed any thing harder was around.  Eggnog and rum or bourbon for holiday drink.

Learned when I had first child Dad was allergic to milk.  That would explain why he would get sick if he ate oatmeal for breakfast.  He liked it. It did not like him. He tolerated whole milk before processing better than the modern processed stuff we have today.  So did our  boys. And their Dad doesn't drink it either. Double whammy.

Dad wanted his children to graduate from college.  I promised him I would 3 classes from finishing but doubt it will happen.

I worked, married and we have 5 children, 10 grands and 3 great grands. O yes, I did 4-H when young and genealogist/historian since. Made many dresses and wedding gowns and skating ensembles.
Worked in school system since first child started school until last grandchild graduated. Even taught Adult school for awhile. Taught classes and worked as aide at times. Also taught CCD.

Sis had 3 boys raised two. changed spouses had some interesting businesses, sold drapes and did a car and house sales book for her area. One buried at Punch Bowl if I remember right as infant.

Older brother graduated high school, had done 4-H and FFA and the USA in VietNam. Came home semi broken. Married had 3 children. 2 boys 1 girl.  2 are married.  Did care for MOM for a period of time. Has his handicaps for health, since he was a new born.  Today do not think they would allow in service.  Our children have some of same problems and the military wouldn't take them. Just Don qualified.

Younger brother graduated HS, had his own business, then sold it and started driving long haul trucking. He also did FFA, when in school.  He has two boys from first marriage and 3 girls from second marriage., they came with the terrific wife.  He has lived all over west coast also.

Dad so love you and miss you, been a long while since 1995. Shame on you Loosing Mom in the store again.  That joke came back to take you away. That is how she told me you were gone.
"Sue, I lost your Dad shopping today."  They played the game in the store,  I thought she was sharing their game and then she re said it and I realized he was gone.

Yup teasing the waitress friend ordering your favorite sandwich with your wife, son and grandson, you left us all.

You are both together again and for that I am very glad. Thanks for all you taught me and helped me with always.