Some Misc Stuff

We got to spend the weekend with our grandson Wyatt.  He is almost 3 going on 12.  Old enough this year to enjoy Santa Claus and Christmas.  While they were here, we took a trip down memory lane and perused our digital collection of photos.  So now I have a new task to sort my computer files so they do not look like my desk.  Plus, I know that I have many more photos that I have not scanned.  That will happen following this first project.  In the mean time - if you have any family photos that you would like to contribute to this blog, send them to me either as digital or physical.  I will return the physical photos after scanning.  Enjoy.

This is the earliest photo Christmas card I have.  I do remember that shirt with the Pheasant print.  Dad is in his Letter Carriers uniform.  This may have been his last year as a mailman since he moved over to the new Vehicle Maintenance Facility as a Mechanic in mid 1954.  Then a few years later he took the Building Superintendents position at the Santa Monica Main Post Office.

Dad's first post war Jeep.  It shows up in many of our early photos.  This was taken in La Verne, California.

More on the Hamilton / Nye family

 This is James Linn Eakins and Mary Eakins.

Mary Permalia Lamb Denbow Eakins was married to James Denbow who died in 1865 from injuries sustained during his fighting in the Civil War.  She then married James Eakins and after his death in 1899, Mary moved to Colorado to live with her grand daughter, Lura Weatherly Nye and Oscar Nye. Lura's mother was Viola Denbow Weatherly, Mary and James Denbow's daughter.

This is Viola Denbow Weatherly.  Below is a picture of the back of the art work which is written by Faye Nye Hamilton and also noted by Dorothy Hamilton Kerr.

Hamilton and Nye

 Dorothy Faye Hamilton Kerr

Birth 26 Aug 1920 

Death 09 Apr 1979

Faye Nye Hamilton and Larry Kerr - April 1966

Oscar Nye, Lura Nye, and Marie Nye

Best guess, about 1908

Hamilton Family Photos Continued:

A 4 generation picture of Lura Nye, Dorothy Hamilton Kerr, Faye Nye Hamilton and baby Jerry Kerr.  October 1944

 The war had everyone that could in uniform.  Here at the Santa Monica home of the Nye's were Grandpa William Hamilton who served in WWI, Richard Kimball, Bill Hamilton, and Joe Kerr.

From the timing of some of the other photos, I believe this one was also taken in October 1944.

A few Hamilton family photos

Not sure about the exact time frame, but thanks to recent facebook and linkedin searches I have been reconnected to some relatives from my Hamilton / Nye side of the family.  My first cousin Claudine and a cousin twice removed, Phil who always felt like a first cousin.  For the most part, it had been over 40 years since any significant contact with either of my cousins.  Whole families have grown up and apart.  Family members who were the glue of the connections die and the distances expanded between those of us left behind.  With all of it's pending faults, Facebook and other internet social media help to bind us together.

I will be posting a few of the "lost" Hamilton photos and negatives that I have scanned for sharing with our family and friends over the coming weeks.  If you want to know more about the photo than I post with it, leave a comment and I will get back to you ASAP.

Irene Hamilton Kimball and Richard Kimball

 abt 1943

Richard Kimball, Irene Hamilton Kimball, Oscar Nye and Lura Weatherly Nye.  Oscar and Lura are Irene's Grandparents.

I am back!

First, I would like to thank every person who served in the military.  With special gratitude to my relatives from all generations.

I have submitted my Ancestry.com DNA test vial and await the results.

WWII vet - my dad, Joe Kerr

Remembering Joe Kerr

Joe Lee “JL” Kerr, 94, passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2014. Born in Whitley County, Kentucky to Joe and Molly Kerr he lived most of his life in Southern California.

Joe was a passionate, hard working man who enjoyed life in many ways. His marriage to Dottie Hamilton in 1940 was followed by service in the Army during WWII. Joe soon entered service in the Santa Monica Post Office where he put his many mechanical skills to work, retiring as their Manager, Building Operations. Seemed like he could fix or build anything. His retirement was to work summers at the Friendship Flea Market and winter at his home in Morongo Valley, CA. He loved the companionship of the flea marketeers. “Everythings for sale, except the wife and kids, cause there is a law against that” was a favorite response when asked if an item was for sale.

Joe was very proud of his 4 sons, Jerry, Terry, Larry and Randy Sam. Randy was lost to him in 1983. After Dottie's death in 1979, Joe married Virginia “Chris” Greer in Indiana. This brought together two of Friendship's favorite families. Joe now included the Greer kids, Bob, Judy, Jane, Rick, and Sue as part of his family. With them and the growing numbers of grandkids and great grandkids his years in the 80's and 90's were full of love and family. After Chris's death in 2006, Joe lived with and was cared for by Larry and Andy. Their love and care gave him much comfort in his final years.

Every person he met will remember Joe for a special reason. Jeep enthusiast, electrician, plumber, mechanic, pack rat, huckster, builder, father, grandpa Joe, or friend. He has left us for now, and each of us is richer for having known him.

No services are planned. If desired, donations to your local Salvation Army would be appreciated.