Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Mattie Lee Stem Box 1919 - 2015
Mattie Lee Stem Box, a pioneer in deaf education for the Fort Worth area and a noted Christian servant, passed away Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015. Funeral: 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Rusk Church of Christ, with Brothers Robbie Arrington and John Bob Cody officiating. Interment: Douglass Cemetery. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville.
Born May 23, 1919, and raised on a cotton and dairy farm near Slidell, Mattie determined early that she would not spend her life picking cotton. Braving opposition, she earned degrees in English and Spanish in just three years from the College of Industrial Arts (now TWU) during the Great Depression, working her way as a nanny, housekeeper, cook and typist. After teaching at the Collinsville High School, she married the late Donald Lyndon Box.
As their family grew to seven children, she returned to the classroom and taught 10 years in Newark Elementary, Eagle Mountain Elementary and Fort Worth's Forest Hill Elementary. Known as the teacher who could reach the most difficult child in school, she was recruited for a new challenge in 1960, to become one of the first teachers in the new Tarrant County Day School for the Deaf, where she taught for seven years and served five years as a supervisor. In 1964, soon after her alma mater became Texas Woman's University, she earned her master's degree in deaf education. She later earned 47 postgraduate hours attending summer classes at colleges known for expertise in deaf education: Texas Christian University, the University of Tennessee, the University of Massachusetts, New Mexico State University and Gallaudet College for the Deaf. In 1966, she and her late husband, Donald Box, who educated hundreds of Fort Worth school children about fire safety as "Fireman Box," adopted their eighth child, a 6-year-old who was deaf.
Mrs. Box retired as a special education consultant with Region XI Education Service Center in 1980 and opened Romance Antiques in Central Arkansas. In 1989, the Boxes retired once more and moved to East Texas where they were active in the Rusk Church of Christ. She was noted for visiting and sending notes of encouragement to friends, family members, missionaries, neighbors and strangers in hospitals and prisons, anyone who she thought needed a kind word.
Among her many professional associations were the Council for Exceptional Children, Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf, Conference Executives of American Schools for the Deaf and Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf. She was listed in "The World Who's Who of Women" and the International Biographical Center in Cambridge, England.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents, Frank and Virgie Stem; son-in-law, Lyndel Gililland; daughter-in-law, Jan Box; and grandchildren, Robert Gililland and Camille Box. Survivors: Her children, Ramona Gililland of Smithville, Don "Mickey" Box of Richland Hills, Marquita Moss and husband, Gary, of Austin, Melany Shook of Arlington, Tahna Cody and husband, John Bob, of Nacogdoches, Jon Lee Box and wife, Lynn, of Chantilly, Va., Camille Moore and husband, John, of Australia and Gayle "Dorene" Garza and husband, Chano, of Ringgold, Ga.; 21 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and brother, Taylor Stem and wife, Jackie, of Denton.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Box Family in Providence House, Rusk Texas
My parents Donald and Mattie Box lived in a beautiful, historic two-story house right near the city square in Rusk, Texas during 1989 to 2011. After my dad passed away in 2007, mom continued to live there several years, but finally moved to Fort Worth in early 2011 to be near family. By the providence of God, my dear friends Kelly and Maryann Felps discovered our plans to sell the house and decided to buy it. They have named the place Providence House and have enjoyed the past few years restoring it to its former glory. It is a grand place for them to spend time with family, and they frequently invite others there for retreats and other events.
Abilene Christian University (ACU) played their last football game of the season against Stephen F. Austin (SFA) in Nacogdoches on November 15 2014. Since Rusk and Providence House was nearby, Kelly and Maryann were very gracious and invited my family to stay there after the game. What a wonderful joy it was to spend the night and discover all the improvements they have made as they personalized the rooms to meet their needs. They have stayed true to the original design of the century old house by restoring the front room back into a front porch as it was years ago. We had a lot of fun discovering their work, and remembering many years of Box family events there in the former days, while mom and dad were caretakers of the place. The following are some photos we took during the weekend:
Abilene Christian University (ACU) played their last football game of the season against Stephen F. Austin (SFA) in Nacogdoches on November 15 2014. Since Rusk and Providence House was nearby, Kelly and Maryann were very gracious and invited my family to stay there after the game. What a wonderful joy it was to spend the night and discover all the improvements they have made as they personalized the rooms to meet their needs. They have stayed true to the original design of the century old house by restoring the front room back into a front porch as it was years ago. We had a lot of fun discovering their work, and remembering many years of Box family events there in the former days, while mom and dad were caretakers of the place. The following are some photos we took during the weekend:
Soup and Sandwitch Lunch was Super!
On our way to the ACU/SFA football game in Nacogdoches, my family was invited to share lunch at my sister Tahna Cody's home near Douglas, TX. What a feast it was for the travelers! Following are a few pictures taken there:
ACU Football Team Defeats SFU November 15 2014!
Abilene Christian University (ACU) defeated Stephen F. Austin (SFA) in a wild game that saw the lead change several times. After SFA missed a field goal in the final minutes of the game, ACU held on to win by a score of 37 to 35. My grandson Cade Stone, an ACU Junior, who contributed several key blocks and frequent pass receptions during the game, also completed a pass for two points after an ACU touchdown. Finally, ACU won the game by that two point margin. I traveled to the Nacogdoches game with daughter Julie and son-in-law Rusty Jones, and met up with daughter Kellye, granddaughter Claire, and son-in-law Craig Stone. My sister Tahna and her husband John Bob Cody joined us at the game. My neice Tasha, her children Darby and Rick, and husband Joseph Walker came down from Tyler to watch Cade play for their first time. The following are a few pictures taken at the game:
Monday, February 08, 2010
Enduring Hard Times
Background – This story begins a decade ago in the year 2000. Having worked for Vought Aircraft Company since graduating from Poly High School in 1959, I had just taken early retirement from a 40 year career in aerospace engineering. Jan and I had spent the prior ten years working with the missions’ ministry of the Richland Hills Church of Christ (RHCC), experiencing those amazing years where new missionary teams were being sent worldwide by the faithfulness of God and the generosity of our church. We were looking forward to being free to engage in ministry, travel to visit missionaries, share in family adventures and enjoy farm retreats during those golden years of retirement. In the first year we traveled together to visit missionaries in Moscow and St. Petersburg enjoying many adventures including visiting the Kremlin and riding an overnight train ride between the two cities. Additionally I was able to visit missionaries in many countries of Africa, Japan, the Philippines and Central America.
God’s Provisions – By the next year my modest retirement pay began to limit our travel expenditures and other expenses, so I readily accepted an offer to work for Lockheed Martin in development of the F-35 aircraft in the Joint Strike Fighter program. Soon I was traveling to aerodynamic test sites all over the country for weeks-long test programs, and Jan came many times to stay with me to share experiences in Tennessee, Georgia, New York and California. We took our oldest grandson Ryan on a trip to Dayton and Detroit as a special birthday trip when he became 10 years old. We were also able to visit our son and his family occasionally in the Atlanta area. The Lord always provided our needs, but at the time I did not realize how faithful He was in advance by providing a job, a flexible employer, insurance and funds to cover the hard times that were on the horizon.
Discovery – However, at that time we could not comprehend the personal challenges that were lying before us. In the following year, Jan went for a routine visit with an ENT doctor to investigate a breathing issue. While there, the doctor noticed a lump on her neck and recommended removal, portraying the surgery as an out-patient operation that could be accomplished in a few hours. While disturbed that she would need surgery, she took it without extreme anxiety and we went ahead with a planned family trip to a resort near San Antonio in the week before the scheduled operation.
Hard Times – During the ensuing surgery my daughter Kellye and other family members stayed with me in the waiting room. My daughter Julie and her family were still in San Antonio, but were on the way back, and my son Chris was still in Atlanta. The mood was jovial, not suspecting anything was going wrong. But after several hours in the operating room, no word on her progress was forthcoming. Finally after eight hours, the surgeon came out with a haggard look on his face and informed me that the surgery had become very complicated and was still incomplete. During removal of the lump he had inadvertently cut into her esophagus so that a tracheotomy had to be performed for her to breathe. The lump was intertwined with her thyroid gland and they were uncertain just how to proceed. I was shocked, but we surrounded the surgeon with fervent prayers before he returned to the operating team with renewed spirit. After several more hours she was taken to the CCU in critical condition, having endured a collapsed lung, a trache-tube in her neck for breathing, and a gastronomical tube in her stomach for feeding liquid formula. It was determined that she had papillary carcinoma, a form of thyroid cancer, and that they were unable to remove it all.
Blessings – Many ministers, friends and family came to the hospital and prayed for several days as her life was held in the balance. Finally her vital signs leveled out, but full recovery was still uncertain and the path forward was uncharted. I still remember the moment that she was finally able to break into a sweet smile and silently mouth the words “I love you”.
Challenges – I can hardly stand to recount all the trauma and emergency room visits that occurred after she was dismissed to our home for the ensuing three years of her life. However, there were also many blessings and a sense of purpose that accompanied the trials. Initially we had some home health care nurses provided to perform difficult tasks such as trache-tube suctioning for removal of congestion allowing her to breath, feeding her through a funnel into her stomach g-tube for nourishment, and assuring she had plenty of oxygen. The trache-tube was only the size of a soda straw, so any blockage would cause her to choke. She was unable to talk, so communication was via an ever-present chalk board for her to write on.
Emergencies – After a few days the home health care available was very limited, thus we had to learn to do many of these complex things ourselves. My daughters and I took up shifts to ensure she had constant help with her needs. A few weeks later her trache-tube became blocked and she could not breathe at all, thus 911 was called by a frantic Kellye, who was with her at the time. Jan turned blue before the medics arrived but she finally became unblocked on the way to the hospital. I went into the emergency room with the doctor then and several times later while he removed and replaced the tube. A new type of tube was provided that had a larger passageway and was easier to maintain. She learned to simulate talking with it by holding her finger over the opening and using resonant sounds. Additionally her g-tube sometimes came out of her stomach, thus trips to various emergency rooms were required to surgically reinstall it. I became an “expert” in how to do this since one hospital was unfamiliar with the procedure and asked me to stay in the room with them to communicate the procedure.
Endurance – Weeks turned into months as we worked shifts to give her constant care as necessary. There was some hope that her remaining cancer could be defeated using radioactive iodine (IR-131) treatments to attack the residual thyroid cancer. This treatment normally requires swallowing a large pill, which she was unable to do since swallowing was not an option with her damaged esophagus. A liquid form of IR-131 was available at a special hospital unit in Dallas, administered through the g-tube. Many months of IR-131 treatments, radiation, and chemotherapy were required before tests confirmed successful results two years later.
No Complaints! – During that time Jan learned to feed her liquid formula herself and even do her own trache care. This allowed us all to return to more normal lives for a season. In fact we went to church, spent time with friends and took several trips to family events, requiring emergency room trips on occasion. We loaded up the van with all her gear (oxygen, suction pumps, formula, supplies, etc.) and did whatever necessary to make her comfortable on the trips. We even drove our second grandson Cade to a family wedding and on to watch the Chicago Cubs play baseball when he became 10 years old. Jan’s courage throughout this time was truly amazing. Some of the sweetest memories of this period are of her standing during congregational singing, holding her arms up in praise to the Father, even though she could not speak.
Trials – In late 2005 it was finally time to perform needed surgery described as a “stomach pull-up” to replace her hardened esophagus while permanently removing her thorax, in hopes of her being able to eat again and breathe without a tube in her neck. The surgery initially seemed successful and she was able for the first time to sip through a straw. However the stitches did not hold, so additional “flap” surgery was performed weeks later to rebuild the neck area. I remember how hard it was to hear her question: “Do you think I will ever get better?” My answer was always “yes my dear one”. Our family Christmas celebration was shared at a special care facility during her time between surgeries. With the story still out as to the success of the procedures, she was released to go home in early 2006.
New Courts – Our old house of 35 years had been purchased by TXDOT for highway right-of-way. We brought her by to view our newly purchased house in North Richland Hills and surprised her with the results of extensive renovation work managed by daughters Julie & Kellye. She was joyfully overwhelmed with the results, raising her hands in celebration as she entered the house in a wheelchair. During the next few weeks the girls handled all details of the move to Carston Court. We were in the new house only two days before the final 911 call was made. On February 20 2006, her frail body surrendered and God called her to a new home in His own Heavenly Courts.
Jan’s Legacy – This story does not end for those that remain here on this earth. The memory of Jan’s faith, courage and legacy still impacts my life and those of friends and family. I believe that we loved each other the dearest during these struggles and our relationship was the closest in those last three years of her life.
Enduring Adversity – God gave our Minister Rick Atchley great insight in his 2003 studies of the complexities of physical and spiritual healing and the whole church was blessed by his Summit series. The highlight of the study for me was four points on how to endure great physical infirmity. My dear family, friends, Jan and I learned and put them into practice to endure the long ordeal:
1. Try not to complain – Jan, myself, and my family accepted and seldom complained about the tough circumstances.
2. Keep the home bright – My family and I made sure her surroundings were bright, clean and cheerful. We also received many cards, letters, flowers, offers of help and encouragement from many friends.
3. Look for blessings in it – God provides! Prayers were offered by hundreds of people around the world. People were helpful at hospitals, with home health care, and during our TXDOT dealings. Insurance and needed funds were provided by my employer. The RHCC shepherds and ministers were faithful in visits, encouragement and prayers.
4. Find purpose in it – I am better able to understand hard times and help others in similar circumstances. I am blessed to continue working with the shepherds of this church as we seek God’s vision for RHCC while growing followers of Jesus in worship, community and service.
God’s Provisions – By the next year my modest retirement pay began to limit our travel expenditures and other expenses, so I readily accepted an offer to work for Lockheed Martin in development of the F-35 aircraft in the Joint Strike Fighter program. Soon I was traveling to aerodynamic test sites all over the country for weeks-long test programs, and Jan came many times to stay with me to share experiences in Tennessee, Georgia, New York and California. We took our oldest grandson Ryan on a trip to Dayton and Detroit as a special birthday trip when he became 10 years old. We were also able to visit our son and his family occasionally in the Atlanta area. The Lord always provided our needs, but at the time I did not realize how faithful He was in advance by providing a job, a flexible employer, insurance and funds to cover the hard times that were on the horizon.
Discovery – However, at that time we could not comprehend the personal challenges that were lying before us. In the following year, Jan went for a routine visit with an ENT doctor to investigate a breathing issue. While there, the doctor noticed a lump on her neck and recommended removal, portraying the surgery as an out-patient operation that could be accomplished in a few hours. While disturbed that she would need surgery, she took it without extreme anxiety and we went ahead with a planned family trip to a resort near San Antonio in the week before the scheduled operation.
Hard Times – During the ensuing surgery my daughter Kellye and other family members stayed with me in the waiting room. My daughter Julie and her family were still in San Antonio, but were on the way back, and my son Chris was still in Atlanta. The mood was jovial, not suspecting anything was going wrong. But after several hours in the operating room, no word on her progress was forthcoming. Finally after eight hours, the surgeon came out with a haggard look on his face and informed me that the surgery had become very complicated and was still incomplete. During removal of the lump he had inadvertently cut into her esophagus so that a tracheotomy had to be performed for her to breathe. The lump was intertwined with her thyroid gland and they were uncertain just how to proceed. I was shocked, but we surrounded the surgeon with fervent prayers before he returned to the operating team with renewed spirit. After several more hours she was taken to the CCU in critical condition, having endured a collapsed lung, a trache-tube in her neck for breathing, and a gastronomical tube in her stomach for feeding liquid formula. It was determined that she had papillary carcinoma, a form of thyroid cancer, and that they were unable to remove it all.
Blessings – Many ministers, friends and family came to the hospital and prayed for several days as her life was held in the balance. Finally her vital signs leveled out, but full recovery was still uncertain and the path forward was uncharted. I still remember the moment that she was finally able to break into a sweet smile and silently mouth the words “I love you”.
Challenges – I can hardly stand to recount all the trauma and emergency room visits that occurred after she was dismissed to our home for the ensuing three years of her life. However, there were also many blessings and a sense of purpose that accompanied the trials. Initially we had some home health care nurses provided to perform difficult tasks such as trache-tube suctioning for removal of congestion allowing her to breath, feeding her through a funnel into her stomach g-tube for nourishment, and assuring she had plenty of oxygen. The trache-tube was only the size of a soda straw, so any blockage would cause her to choke. She was unable to talk, so communication was via an ever-present chalk board for her to write on.
Emergencies – After a few days the home health care available was very limited, thus we had to learn to do many of these complex things ourselves. My daughters and I took up shifts to ensure she had constant help with her needs. A few weeks later her trache-tube became blocked and she could not breathe at all, thus 911 was called by a frantic Kellye, who was with her at the time. Jan turned blue before the medics arrived but she finally became unblocked on the way to the hospital. I went into the emergency room with the doctor then and several times later while he removed and replaced the tube. A new type of tube was provided that had a larger passageway and was easier to maintain. She learned to simulate talking with it by holding her finger over the opening and using resonant sounds. Additionally her g-tube sometimes came out of her stomach, thus trips to various emergency rooms were required to surgically reinstall it. I became an “expert” in how to do this since one hospital was unfamiliar with the procedure and asked me to stay in the room with them to communicate the procedure.
Endurance – Weeks turned into months as we worked shifts to give her constant care as necessary. There was some hope that her remaining cancer could be defeated using radioactive iodine (IR-131) treatments to attack the residual thyroid cancer. This treatment normally requires swallowing a large pill, which she was unable to do since swallowing was not an option with her damaged esophagus. A liquid form of IR-131 was available at a special hospital unit in Dallas, administered through the g-tube. Many months of IR-131 treatments, radiation, and chemotherapy were required before tests confirmed successful results two years later.
No Complaints! – During that time Jan learned to feed her liquid formula herself and even do her own trache care. This allowed us all to return to more normal lives for a season. In fact we went to church, spent time with friends and took several trips to family events, requiring emergency room trips on occasion. We loaded up the van with all her gear (oxygen, suction pumps, formula, supplies, etc.) and did whatever necessary to make her comfortable on the trips. We even drove our second grandson Cade to a family wedding and on to watch the Chicago Cubs play baseball when he became 10 years old. Jan’s courage throughout this time was truly amazing. Some of the sweetest memories of this period are of her standing during congregational singing, holding her arms up in praise to the Father, even though she could not speak.
Trials – In late 2005 it was finally time to perform needed surgery described as a “stomach pull-up” to replace her hardened esophagus while permanently removing her thorax, in hopes of her being able to eat again and breathe without a tube in her neck. The surgery initially seemed successful and she was able for the first time to sip through a straw. However the stitches did not hold, so additional “flap” surgery was performed weeks later to rebuild the neck area. I remember how hard it was to hear her question: “Do you think I will ever get better?” My answer was always “yes my dear one”. Our family Christmas celebration was shared at a special care facility during her time between surgeries. With the story still out as to the success of the procedures, she was released to go home in early 2006.
New Courts – Our old house of 35 years had been purchased by TXDOT for highway right-of-way. We brought her by to view our newly purchased house in North Richland Hills and surprised her with the results of extensive renovation work managed by daughters Julie & Kellye. She was joyfully overwhelmed with the results, raising her hands in celebration as she entered the house in a wheelchair. During the next few weeks the girls handled all details of the move to Carston Court. We were in the new house only two days before the final 911 call was made. On February 20 2006, her frail body surrendered and God called her to a new home in His own Heavenly Courts.
Jan’s Legacy – This story does not end for those that remain here on this earth. The memory of Jan’s faith, courage and legacy still impacts my life and those of friends and family. I believe that we loved each other the dearest during these struggles and our relationship was the closest in those last three years of her life.
Enduring Adversity – God gave our Minister Rick Atchley great insight in his 2003 studies of the complexities of physical and spiritual healing and the whole church was blessed by his Summit series. The highlight of the study for me was four points on how to endure great physical infirmity. My dear family, friends, Jan and I learned and put them into practice to endure the long ordeal:
1. Try not to complain – Jan, myself, and my family accepted and seldom complained about the tough circumstances.
2. Keep the home bright – My family and I made sure her surroundings were bright, clean and cheerful. We also received many cards, letters, flowers, offers of help and encouragement from many friends.
3. Look for blessings in it – God provides! Prayers were offered by hundreds of people around the world. People were helpful at hospitals, with home health care, and during our TXDOT dealings. Insurance and needed funds were provided by my employer. The RHCC shepherds and ministers were faithful in visits, encouragement and prayers.
4. Find purpose in it – I am better able to understand hard times and help others in similar circumstances. I am blessed to continue working with the shepherds of this church as we seek God’s vision for RHCC while growing followers of Jesus in worship, community and service.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
1964 Corvette - My Latest Toy!
I recently bought a 1964 Corvette convertible from a nice man in Phoenix Arizona. I flew into the city on the day before New Year's eve and picked it up. Before attempting to drive it home I put a set of new tires on it since the ones on it were 27 years old! The trip back to Texas took three days with only a few inconveniences, and I arrived back home on New Years day 2009. The following is the description of the car by Joe Gambino, the person who sold it to me: Only 57,351 Original Miles!
Here is a 1964 Corvette convertible that is as original and correct as they come. Equipped with a 327cubic inch 250hp motor, power-glide transmission, auxiliary hardtop, it is a completely numbers matching car, front to back. This car has been sitting on jack stands in a carport in Phoenix, AZ since 1988. Since then the car was gone thorough mechanically and runs/drives great. This is what I would call a survivor/barn-find car that is totally original and has great potential as a numbers matching mid-year corvette.
The body on this Corvette is great condition and has only had one repaint done in its original color of "Daytona Blue". The paint is showing its age with paint chips and some other small imperfections. It is an absolutely rust-free frame and has been in AZ most of its life. All chrome and trim is original and showing signs of age as well. This is a great car to start with because it is all there and nothing is missing. The blue interior is totally original and looks very nice for its age. The seats, door panels, and carpeting are all original and still very presentable. The top is in good condition and free of rips or tears. The dash is in great condition and the dash face and gauges clean and clear! All the gauges work as they should. The original radio works. All the running lights work as they should. Original jack, tools, and spare are still in place.
Mechanically, this Corvette is in great condition. The motor is a 327ci 250hp (numbers matching) that has been recently gone through by a local Chevy dealer. The following things were just completed: carburetor rebuild, fuel lines, filter, all fluids changed, new brake lines, new master cylinder, and brake system has been gone through. This car is ready to go and starts right up. The transmission shifts as it should and feels good. All in all, this is a very clean and very original 1964 Corvette that is totally numbers matching and has a nice amount of documentation showing the history behind this rare find. The car was located in beautiful sunny Paradise Valley, AZ.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
The Wonder Years - Jan and Mick, 1950s
Jan Box - Fond Memories
As we approach the second anniversary of Jan's departure from this world, it brings up sweet memories of her life, and the wonder of youthful hopes and dreams. The following is a brief account of her early years:
Jan’s Childhood Years
Janet Kaye Davis was born in Hobart Oklahoma on January 26 1942. Her parents were John Harvey Davis and Nina Faye (Echols) Davis. They soon moved from Oklahoma to the family farm near Sanger, Texas, and she has been a Texan ever since. Her dad grew up as a farmer but got a job selling furniture in Gainesville, where Jan entered elementary school for first through fourth grades. Gainesville was a sleepy little town full of good farmers, merchants and country folks. Jan had fond memories of those “wonder years” spent playing with her dog Tinker, school kids and nearby family and friends.
In 1952 Harvey was offered a great job in Fort Worth with Leonard Brother’s department store as manager of the carpet department. Nina got a job at the Convair “bomber plant”, so they moved to the big city and bought a home on the east side in Meadowbrook. City life agreed with Jan and she soon had many friends at school and the newly formed Meadowbrook Church of Christ. The preacher, Preston Cotham, lived right next door. Preston & Lovita Cotham and their family immediately became best friends with the Davis family. Jan went to Meadowbrook Elementary and Junior High Schools before attending Poly High School where she graduated in 1960.
High School Days
The Meadowbrook church had a great youth group and youth ministers who were a fine influence on them. Jan was able to go on several Christian summer camps with the group and formed many lifetime friendships during this time. In 1957 a new family (Donald & Mattie Box) joined the Meadowbrook church and their teenage son Mickey (Don) was quickly noticed by Jan. She began using her cute charms to try to get his attention and it worked! At age 15, they soon were “going steady”. They were best friends and sweethearts during the high school days, and both went to Poly High School. These were happy days typical of those “fabulous fifties”.
College Days - Wedding
After graduating from Poly High in 1960, Jan attended Arlington State College where boyfriend Don was studying to be an engineer. Soon after they became engaged and were married in 1961. The wedding was the social event of the decade for the Meadowbrook church family, but was conducted in the beautiful colonial Southside church building. The red velvet bridesmaid dresses were a perfect contrast to the church’s white/gray walls and red pew cushions. Jan was the perfect radiant bride!
Hopes and Dreams
At the end of her freshman year Jan got a full time job at the American Life Insurance company while Don continued to seek his degree and worked as a cooperative education student with the Chance Vought Aircraft Company and Arlington State College (now UTA). Their first daughter, Julie Kaye, was born in January 1964 and Jan became a great mother and homemaker. Although it was a financial struggle to survive, together they made it through until Don graduated in January 1965. He then was hired by LTV (formerly Vought) as a wind tunnel test engineer. In May 1966 their second daughter Kellye Rene’ was born. Their son Christopher Michael was born several years later in November 1971. Life was good for the young Box family!
Jan’s Childhood Years
Janet Kaye Davis was born in Hobart Oklahoma on January 26 1942. Her parents were John Harvey Davis and Nina Faye (Echols) Davis. They soon moved from Oklahoma to the family farm near Sanger, Texas, and she has been a Texan ever since. Her dad grew up as a farmer but got a job selling furniture in Gainesville, where Jan entered elementary school for first through fourth grades. Gainesville was a sleepy little town full of good farmers, merchants and country folks. Jan had fond memories of those “wonder years” spent playing with her dog Tinker, school kids and nearby family and friends.
In 1952 Harvey was offered a great job in Fort Worth with Leonard Brother’s department store as manager of the carpet department. Nina got a job at the Convair “bomber plant”, so they moved to the big city and bought a home on the east side in Meadowbrook. City life agreed with Jan and she soon had many friends at school and the newly formed Meadowbrook Church of Christ. The preacher, Preston Cotham, lived right next door. Preston & Lovita Cotham and their family immediately became best friends with the Davis family. Jan went to Meadowbrook Elementary and Junior High Schools before attending Poly High School where she graduated in 1960.
High School Days
The Meadowbrook church had a great youth group and youth ministers who were a fine influence on them. Jan was able to go on several Christian summer camps with the group and formed many lifetime friendships during this time. In 1957 a new family (Donald & Mattie Box) joined the Meadowbrook church and their teenage son Mickey (Don) was quickly noticed by Jan. She began using her cute charms to try to get his attention and it worked! At age 15, they soon were “going steady”. They were best friends and sweethearts during the high school days, and both went to Poly High School. These were happy days typical of those “fabulous fifties”.
College Days - Wedding
After graduating from Poly High in 1960, Jan attended Arlington State College where boyfriend Don was studying to be an engineer. Soon after they became engaged and were married in 1961. The wedding was the social event of the decade for the Meadowbrook church family, but was conducted in the beautiful colonial Southside church building. The red velvet bridesmaid dresses were a perfect contrast to the church’s white/gray walls and red pew cushions. Jan was the perfect radiant bride!
Hopes and Dreams
At the end of her freshman year Jan got a full time job at the American Life Insurance company while Don continued to seek his degree and worked as a cooperative education student with the Chance Vought Aircraft Company and Arlington State College (now UTA). Their first daughter, Julie Kaye, was born in January 1964 and Jan became a great mother and homemaker. Although it was a financial struggle to survive, together they made it through until Don graduated in January 1965. He then was hired by LTV (formerly Vought) as a wind tunnel test engineer. In May 1966 their second daughter Kellye Rene’ was born. Their son Christopher Michael was born several years later in November 1971. Life was good for the young Box family!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
