Comments

Volume 6, Issue 50 - Feature #5504

Memories of a Childhood Growing Up in Osage County

We have so many stories Jerry we could write a very good book. lol

Sue (Goad) Bridges - 2014-06-18 19:51:29

my name is Jerry Stearns,I was born in 1941 in avant very close to Ray Parks. We lived between Ray Parks and the main county road. They use to tell the story about your dad getting drunk with Red Davis. One night, so the story goes Jeff says to Red Iam going out to whip Uncle Ray. Red had not lived in Avant to long at that time. When They got out to uncle Ray's he walked out on the porch. When Red Davis saw Ray he said I belived you better go back to town!In that day and time Ray way a big size man. I also loved to here the stories that Ray would tell. Your dad's brother J.R. was in my class at school and we finished in 1959.Osage county was and still is a special place.

Jerry Stearns - 2014-06-18 17:50:36

Hi Terry, My name is Sue (Goad) Bridges. I read with interest your essay about growing up in Osage County. I was online looking for Betty Jane or Mila (cousins) when I came across your story. I grew up in Avant and lived in the first house to the west of their farm house. I don't know if you remember that home. I graduated in 1963 and left Avant and Betty Jane graduated in 1964 and I heard they moved to Barnsdall there on Highway 11. The last time I saw Hazel she was working at Wolaroc. I always loved her. Betty Jane and I grew up together. I remember your father, Jeff, and I have a little story that happened. Jeff had got home from the military and was sleeping in the afternoon. Betty Jane said let's get his cigarettes and go smoke. So we took them out to the big barn and crawled up in the hay loft where there was a big open window. We set down and hung our feet out the window and we smoked the whole pack of cigarettes not even thinking of setting the barn on fire or the consequences of him not finding his cigarettes when he woke up. To me Jeff was intimidating, kinda gruff back then. When we got back to the house he was awake and was saying has anybody seen my cigarettes? Betty Jane and I went franticly searching the house pretending to be looking for his cigarettes. I had to go home soon after that so I never knew if he figured it out or not. I have told that story many times. Darlene I thought was a beautiful girl. We all went to school together since it was 12 years in one building with exception of Lee and Jeff they were the oldest and were no longer going there when I was going. I remember J.R. and Darlene. Everyone played sports in Avant because there wasn't any other activities. I agree that growing up in Osage county was a blessing. Betty Jane and I built many a playhouses on the banks of Bird Creek only to be washed away by a flood. I could go on and on with memories. It was nice reading your story.

Sue (Goad) Bridges - 2014-06-17 11:23:45

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