Winford Kelley

I was born on May 25, 1927 at my parents' home in Coleman County, Texas in an area known as the Brady Bend - on the Colorado River.

We continued to live there until 1936 when we moved a few miles up the river to an area known as Leaday. While we were in the Brady Bend, I went to school at a one room building that served as our church and community building.

We only had one teacher for all grades from first through eleventh. I was the only first grader. In 1936, we went to a school that had a room for the various grades. This was the year that I became a Christian. I was baptized in Grape Creek.

It was also the year that our home washed away in September. All our dad's cotton and feed crop was washed away. He had one crippled calf and a few chickens that were saved. The chickens were on a hay stack that floated around a neighbor's home. Mom had canned several hundred cans and jars of vegetables and fruit that had been stored in a cellar built by Dad for the protection of the family from storms. These items also washed down the river with the rest of our belongings. You might say we were wiped out.

We moved to O'Donnell, Texas in 1937, where we lived in a tent until dad was able to find an old farm house for us to move into. That house was very cold in the winter and equally hot in the summer. The family lived by doing farm work where they could find it. I never heard my parents complain - they just prayed and thanked God for what he provided. At Christmas time in 1938, we moved to Quemado, Texas, where dad worked for Dr. Campbell on a farm, raising alfalfa hay. He eventually purchased a hay bailer and bailed hay for the public. He also obtained a feed grinder and we ground hay for the public to feed livestock.

In 1942, Dad was able to buy a farm in La Pryor, Texas where he raised corn and milo. By this time, I was old enough to start high school. Dad and I moved to the farm first where we camped out and started his crops. (Both George and Kenneth were in the war, so I was the only one left to help him with the farm)

Before I graduated from high school, I joined the merchant marines. I served on a troop transport, hauling supplies to Europe and North Africa, and returning troops to America.

I was able to return to La Pryor, and by taking correspondence courses in addition to regular high school courses, I graduated in 1946. I enlisted in the Army that same year and after taking basic training at El Paso, I was shipped to Japan, where I spent the rest of my Army tour. I was returned to the U.S. and discharged in California at Camp Stoneman. After I was discharged, I enrolled in college in San Marcos, Texas. Shortly thereafter I learned that the DPS was seeking men for the highway patrol. I applied and was accepted. I worked for the DPS for 38 years.

I met Annie Sanders at College, and soon asked her to marry: she accepted.

We married in July 7, 1949. She gave me two sons I am very proud of. She passed away in 1990 and is buried at Midland. I worked for the DPS for 38 years and was enjoying retirement until I was asked to go work for the U.S. Marshal.

I worked at that job until a good friend of mine became a District judge and needed a bailiff. I worked for him until 1955, and then retired again. I moved to central Texas and learned that Velma Hagood was single and living alone. I lost no time making contact with her. After a short time, she agreed to become my wife. We married Nov. 12, 1995 and enjoyed the next 15 years together. God rescued her from this earth November 16, 2010. She is buried at Pflugerville, Texas.

This just about accounts for the 94 years that God has seen fit for me to be a part of this Earth. What happens from here on is to be decided.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com for the Kelley family.