Page 28 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Winter 2021 - Online Magazine

in November 1970, after which he
was discharged as a Specialist E5.

The couple made their home in
Plainview, where Fred worked
for Gwen’s father at Daffern Steel,
while finishing Wayland in 1973
with degrees in Sociology and
Psychology. He worked almost
a year for Child Welfare, then he
and Gwen became dorm parents
at Cal Farley’s Boys’ Ranch for two
years. It was a difficult job, but
they have very fond memories of
it. They were givers.

After that chapter, they moved
back to Plainview where Gwen
Gwen’s classmate got the offer, a year at Ft. Belvoir near D.C. taught first and second grade
while Gwen did not, until it was When it became obvious that Fred at College Hill Elementary, and
too late. She had already signed a wouldn’t be going to Vietnam, Fred worked at Daffern Steel for
contract to teach at Hurst, Fred’s they “conned her dad” into letting another 35 years. They raised a
hometown. He completed his them get married July 26, 1969. daughter, Kathi, and a son, Chris,
requisite two years at Wayland After eight months in D.C., Fred who have blessed them with three
and moved home. She lived was shipped to Germany, where granddaughters and a grandson.
in North Richland Hills, and he was part of the Pershing Missile During those years, they became
Fred worked in Ft. Worth until Program. Gwen joined him there active in First Baptist Church,
the Army got hold of him in for two months the following where Gwen’s folks attended.
November 1968. On Halloween, summer. His enlistment was up Gwen has taught various Sunday
before leaving for Fort
Bliss, El Paso, Fred
gave Gwen a gift in
a box with a black
cat sticker. It was an
engagement ring,
which she accepted
because, by that time,
she knew that she
loved him. “He was
good-looking, quiet,
and definitely not
pushy.”

However, there was
no going forward
with marriage until
his Army stint was
completed. Many
more letters were
exchanged as Fred
finished almost

28 Amarillo Senior Link