The Okie Legacy

Tribute To A Friend

This was written 11 May 1998, Monday with special thoughts in mind for a friend of my father, Gene McGill.

I had just found out on 11 May 1998 in the newspaper that an old friend of our family died during the weekend of Cancer. His funeral was held in the small, rural town (Biggest, Little Town in Oklahoma) of Freedom at 2:30PM at the Freedom High School.

Darrell Eden and my Dad went way back many years together. During a Fair Valley reunion (my first that I attended), I got to touch base with Mr. Eden. My first impression of him then.... He was warm, friendly and caring individual. AND.... He was and this memory shall be put in a special place with all the other memories.

Darrell told me one time that he was born and lived as a young boy on my grandfather (John R. Warwick's) land at Fair Valley. The "Old House" still stands but is hidden back in some overgrown trees and brush. No one lives there now, because the deer and other wild creatures have taken it over as their habitat.

When I was born my Dad had to call Darrell to borrow a vehicle to take my Mom into town to the hospital because our car wouldn't start and I believed Darrell had mentioned that it was snowing (I could use some refreshing of memory here).

Since my other sisters were born in the summer and spring, my sister (Dorthy) figured that the child of Gene & Vada to be delivered then was none other than "Linda".

I am so glad that my folks had such wonderful neighbors back then in 1948. Without the help of neighbors my folks would have been "up a creek" and "Where would I have been born? !

Another memory I have about Darrell Eden.... While I was searching information to write about Fair Valley, he went out of his way to send me all sorts of information and even gave me a subscription to the "Cowboy Storyteller Association Newsletter".

Darrell, if you are looking down upon us all right now, "Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a good friend and neighbor to my Mom and Dad and for supplying me with Fair Valley history and stories!"

You are thought of and remembered for your kindness from this Heart to the Heart of your friends and family.

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