ABSTRACT
Born in the great depression, he was a cheerful first grandchild. He came from two large farming families. His father, who didn't farm, donated half his paycheck to support his eight brothers and sisters. His mother struggled through childhood among 13 siblings on a hardscrabble West Virginia farm. Aunts, uncles, and grandparents blessed him with stories, riddles, songs, and the hard rules of work. His luxuries were people and words.
