Russell C. Stanhope

My dad, Russell Clell Stanhope, was born to sharecroppers Clarice (Barnhill) Stanhope and Charlie Stanhope in a log cabin four miles out in the country in Corell County Arkansas. Dad had five siblings; older brother Eugene and younger siblings Max, Louvene, Charles and Paul.

A few years ago I asked him what he remembered about his childhood and he remembers that about the age of four or five, a dog named Chris that would follow him everywhere. He said that was how they found him when he would wander off; they just called for the dog and Chris would bark, but he would not leave my dad. He told me a time when he got in trouble with his mom. Grandma Stanhope had a quilt draped over the fence and my dad was under it smoking and caught it on fire. He was 6 years old!

Dad started school at age 6 and remembers it was a one room school house with about 37 kids altogether. He would walk to school about 2 1/2 miles. I asked him if he remembered any of his teachers and he did remember Mrs. Snoden, his first grade teacher and he said she was very strict. When I asked him what he liked about school, his reply was "Nothing". His second grade teacher was Alec Kennedy; "who was killed in a car wreck. There were about 150 people at his funeral; he was liked by everyone who knew him". Dad played some baseball (catcher) in school and liked all of the girls, but none were his favorite. The 8th'grade was the highest year he completed when he quit to help on the farm. He liked to play marbles; a game called Nine Men with 4 players and the marbles were made out of stone. After evening chores were done, feeding the livestock and milking the cows his family would gather for a supper which often included cornbread and milk. After supper he liked to play cards until bedtime. Mornings could consist of feeding, milking and driving the cows to pasture. They would then do what needed to be done; fix fence, plow crops, etc. They raised corn, oats and alfalfa for feeding the livestock. Grandma Stanhope had a garden and the only things they bought at the store were flour, salt, sugar and baking soda.

With his family, he moved to California in 1934 and was there until he was 13 years old when they moved back to Green Forest, Arkansas. When he was sixteen he went to Wichita, Kansas to work for Darby Oil Refinery because the pay was better. He worked there 3 or 4 months and then went to Iowa with Jack Norris. He was picking corn in Iowa when he was drafted. When he reported for duty, he was given a choice of which branch he wanted to serve in. He picked the Navy "because I figured I'd get to eat 3 meals a day". Boot Camp was in Little Rock, Ark and he was stationed at Pearl Harbor for awhile and one of his duties was to drive the General around. As a little girl I thought he was at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed, but I later found out he was there after the war. When he got out of the navy he went to Wyoming to work on a pipeline and also worked at Beacon Van Line in Denver driving a truck, He met my mom through Lucille Hayden and they were married March 20th, 1948 at my Aunt Kay and Uncle Ed's house, together they had three perfect children. I was born in 1950 and Dad was working for Safeway driving truck. I remember a pink bank that looked like a book with my name engraved on it that was a gift from Safeway when I was born. Paul was born in 1952 and Safeway gave him a baby blue bank with his name on it. Greg was born in 1954 but didn't get a bank [maybe that is why he never learned to save a penny).

Growing up, my dad was gone a lot; working as an over the road truck driver to support his family. He retired from PIE after he broke a bone in his neck in an accident in Torrington, Wyoming. After he retired his favorite past time was "putzing" around the house, having coffee at Barry's with his friends, refurbishing old Willie Jeeps or old pickups. He was a simple man with simple needs. He had a wonderful sense of humor and an easy smile. He was stubborn, but kind hearted. He enjoyed his companions at Newbarry's and spending a little time in Black Hawk playing 21 or the slot machines. He went hunting with Dennis, Shayne and Derek and liked having Alyssa join him for dinner on Thursdays at Barry's. He was preceded in death by his wife Joan, 17 years ago, his sons Paul,13 years ago and Greg, 7 years ago. These losses took part of his heart and I don't think he ever was able to recover. His grandchildren, Derek and Alyssa did bring him joy and were beacons of light in his life. He had a great relationship with my husband Dennis and stories of their hunting escapades would bring him to tears from laughter. His step-grandchildren, Lisa, Jennifer and Shayne meant a great deal to him. I am grateful for the 60 years I have had with my Dad and I miss him so much already. I love you Dad! Hug mom, Paul and Greg for me.