DAD

This story begins on Thursday October 10, 1935. In 1935, Emaline and Leonard Hurd lived way back in a hollar. Also, they were expecting their seventh child. Emaline gave birth to their son, Charles Leonard on Thursday, October 10, 1935 at their home.

The story you are about to read is about this child's life--who is my father Charles.

Charles lived in a family of one sister and five brothers. His sister Lucille was born December 30, 1912. His brothers were William, born July 24, 1914 and George, born November 11, 1917, Floyd, born April 17, 1920, Kenneth was born April 25, 1925 and Doyle was born March 12, 1933.

They were poor and their father drank alot, it was just the way it was. Their mother stayed at home and took care of their children.

The first loss (death) in Charles's life happened October 6, 1938. Four days before his third birthday. His dad was struck by a car and died. The story in the paper said "that Leonard was walking on the sidewalk, when he was struck by a mail car (mailman)". The mailman apparently fell a sleep at the wheel.

So here was Charles not even three years old and already was fatherless, along with his six siblings. The mother (Emaline) had to raise her children alone. The older boys did whatever they could to make money. The boys worked on farms around their small town, like cutting posts and etc. The family ate whatever they could, many times eating wild game, wild greens and etc. The children went barefoot in the summer and their mother (Emaline) would buy them a new pair shoes for winter and a couple of new outfits. The children made their own toys, like a wagon from wood scraps.

Years went by, Emaline(the mother) never remarried. She spent her time and effort taking care of her children. In the year of 1942, TB struck. TB caused the death of two brothers of Charles's. Kenneth died February 11, 1942 and George died March 23, 1943. Three other boys had TB too. This included Charles, Doyle and Floyd. They were taken from their mother and took to Avalon Sanitarium in Mount Vernon, Ohio. George had went here when he had TB and died here. So, the mother(Emaline) was very sad that three more of her sons had to be here too.

Floyd was at the Sanitarium for three weeks. Charles and Doyle spent seven long months in the institution. While at the institution Charles met a girl, close to his age. He had bummed fifty cents off of someone to, buy them some ice cream with. Another occasion while at the institution was that Charles and another boy (couldn't remember his name) put orange peelings down the sink. Needless to say they were in trouble. They were whipped with a belt until the blood ran down their legs.Charles cried all night from the pain of the whipping. The scares from the whipping was still there when they went home. They were so happy to get home. Emaline(the mother) was so happy to have her boys back.

Charles went to the eighth grade, then he started looking for work. He tried to join the Army, but his blood pressure was high and they wouldn't let him join. In 1957 they drafted him and even though his blood pressure was still high they made him sit until it went down. While in the Army, they found spots on Charles lungs. After that he spent the rest of his time in the Army in the Med department. Charles did not enjoy this type of work, so he got out of the Army in 1959.

In 1959, Charles met Priscilla(went by Patty) Dillon. It was love at first sight for Priscilla, but for Charles it took a little longer. Charles and Priscilla were married in January 22, 1960, at Coal Grove, Ohio. Like with any marriage they had some struggles, but their love stayed strong. They had talked about how many children they would like to have. They both agreed that they would like two girls and two boys.

The first baby was a girl, born January 6, 1961. The second baby was a boy, born November 4, 1962. The family struggled living in a wood shed. Then, they got them a one bedroom house. After that they got them a four room house. The couple always, made sure the children had what they needed, even if the couple had to do without.

Two years later 1964, the next baby was born. The baby was a girl and she was born January 14, 1964. Not long after the third baby, Charles and Patty bought their first piece of land, (about a half acre). Charles gave fifty dollars for the land in monthly payments of just five dollars a month. They put a one bedroom trailor on the land. Then Charles begin to build a home for his family. Their fourth baby was a boy born March 2, 1965.

The year of 1965 was a busy year for them. Charles had bought him a HARLEY DAVIDSON INDIAN motorcycle. The family moves into their new home in June. Eventually, they had electricity. The day after their electric was turned on, they heard a loud crash at the end of the road(where they lived). Patty walked down the road to see what had happened. When she got there, at the end of the road. There was a small motorcycle in the fence by the road. Also, there was a young boy about 14 laying on the road. His head was busted from ear to ear, blood was running like a creek. The little boy was Charles's friends little brother(Scotty). This was a very sad day. Anyone, who seen something like this could never forget it. Patty talked Charles into selling his HARLEY.

Charles and Patty had their two girls and their two boys, but they didn't stop there. Their third son was born September 17, 1966. They took a break from having babies

In the year of 1971 Charles lost a good friend. His name was Glenn Spires. He was found drowned in a pond, just up the road from Charles. Charles went to see Glenn, he still had his shoes on. Glenn was very afraid of water and he could not swim. They said Glenn took his own life, though Charles didn't believe that,If Glenn was going to take his own life this is not how he would have done it . However, there was no investigation done and it was ruled as a suicide.

On August 13, 1975 their fourth son was born and then February 23, 1978 their fifth son was born.

Sometime in 1978 Charles had a heart attact. His doctors would not let him go back to work. The Government would not help him at all. Charles made ends meet by fixing lawn mowers, tricycles, bikes and building different things to sell. Their last child was born June 20, 1979 and this was their sixth son and eighth child.

Years went by, Charles lost his mother March 11, 1985. He lost his brother, William March 22, 1986. Floyd died March 22, 1991 and Lucille also died March 11, 1995. So this just left Charles and his brother Doyle. They was always close, but the loss of their siblings and their mother too, made them even closer.

Doyle and Charles lives over a hundred miles away. Doyle always came to see his brother every chance he could. Years went by and Charles children grew up, got married and had children of their own. In August 1996, Doyle came to visit Charles. Doyle was one month from retiring from a plant where he had worked for over thirty years. He wanted to make sure Charles, would take care of everything if anything should happen to him. They went to Liberty Cemetary, where the rest of the family was buried. They wanted to look at plots. Charles owned five or six plots. One plot Charles had given to his brother Floyd. Doyle told Charles he would be back the following weekend, so he could buy a lot.

On Thursday August 22, 1996 Charles received a visit from a neighbor who informed him that Doyle had been killed at work. A rod weighing over 1000lbs-had flew off of some equipment and hit Doyle in the head.

Charles just couldn't believe it. He was so shocked. Charles and Patty went where Doyle lived and then they had to go to the morge. Charles, wanted to see his brother, but they advised him not too (because of his heart condition). They did tell him there was nothing left of Doyle's head. They sent Doyles body back to the home town and he arrived on the very same day that he had told his brother he would be back.

Years went by and Charles's health got worse. Just this year 2007, he had to get a pacemaker. Charles is 71 and will be 72 in October. Through all his tragedies he has remained a LOVING, CARING, DEVOTED HUSBAND, FATHER, GRANDPA AND GREAT GRANDPA.

A few things I want to point out. Emaline and her daughter (Lucille), died March 11-ten years apart. William and Floyd both died March 22, five years apart. Also, since Leonard was hit be a car, there has been six people in the Hurd family who have been hit by a car and one by a motorcycle. Two got hit twice and one besides Leonard (died from it). The last one to get hit was my son.

The reason I think my DAD is the BEST DAD IN THE WORLD, is he never had a dad(to show him how to be one). My dad still showed us right from wrong. He gave us LOVE and kept us SAFE. Throughout all his tragedies he never once failed us or neglected us. He has always been there for all of us. He has never complained about taking care of us. I LOVE MY DAD AND WHEN GOD CALLS HIM HOME ---I WILL MISS HIM MORE THAN ANYTHING.

This is What Charles Children said about Him

Sharon(Born 1/6/1961) My Dad is the Kindest,loving,Gentlest Dad in the Whole Wide World.

Charles JR (Born 11/4/1962) My Dad is my MENTOR

Vickie (Born 1/14/1964) There is not enought words or time to describe how wonderful my Dad is.

Mitchell(Bryon) (Born 3/2/1965) My Dad has always been a good Dad Kind hearted and is always willing to accept people as they are.

Harold (Born 9/17/1966) my Dad is the best Dad anyone could have ,words cannot describe the Love I feel for my Dad.

Kenny (Born 8/13/1975) It is really hard to sum up my father in a sentence, paragraph or even a chapter. Through the hardest of times, he has maintained his integrity and honor. I will always treasure those multiple lessons he taught us, and is still teaching us. Two of the most important things he instilled in us were honesty and doing the right thing at all times. My Dad is the greatest example of how a person should be I could have ever asked for. I love him and value every moment I get to spend with him. He will live in all our hearts forever and his legacy of decency, hard work, perseverance, love, devotion and all things good will live on long after we are all gone.

Brady (Born 2/23/1978) Watching how strong my dad is helped us to progress in life and be all we could be.

Ok it took me over a month to write this and i hope this reminds everyone that Fathersday is not just a day to say Happy Fathersday but a day to Honor your father Now I want to Ask you HAVE YOU HUGGED YOUR DAD TODAY AND TOLD HIM HOW MUCH HE MEANS TO YOU?