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!
