Tuesday, September 9, 2008

CLIFFORD T RYE

Melvina, Linda, and Cliff about 1951
Cliff acting as a farm boy
Cliff and Mel's wedding
When I would sit around the Anderson table and listen to the stories of Cliff, I imagined him a unapproachable man. How could he accomplish so much and still be family oriented?
Old Trunks adored this man we called Cliff. He was a terrific business man, worked hard, and had a grin which lit up the room. They were a delightful couple who worked together over time.
Cliff served his country, as you may remember from posts about him previously.
When I met him, the two of them owned and ran a roller skating rink. Later they would move to Osage Beach, Missouri and build a unique house. The vaulted ceiling was made from the boards of an old railroad car. Hanging from the ceiling was a taxidermy mallard, which could be seen from the lake through the tall windows. What was the most Cliff like was they had two mail boxes, one for regular mail and the other, with a higher post for air mail.
He believed in hard work and expected others to do the same. A few words from him was a good kick in the pants for anyone who felt stumped.
This is the anniversary of Cliff's birth
9 September 1923- 7 April 1988
Salute!
e

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