Elk City...60 Years Later

July 12, 2019 -  We arrive in Elk City, Oklahoma today to re-connect with (and meet for the first time for Judy) relatives from both sides of Mark's family. The really neat thing is, today is Mark's 60th Birthday and he was born in Elk City.

We were graciously welcomed by Aunt Diana and Bill who's home was perfectly designed with a circular level driveway to park the RV in, and a nearby electrical outlet.  They even had a fenced in backyard and a playmate for Nika.

We had a celebratory dinner for Mark (with warm carrot cake) and then he got to do his new favorite thing...fly his drone.

July 13, 2019 - We attended the 2019 Fuchs Family Reunion at the Opera House located at Route 66 Museum in Elk City.  Good time reconnecting with relatives including Aunt Inez, Beverly, Debbie and many more.   Aunt Diana and Mattie Gale also attended which was a treat to catch up with Mark’s moms side (Arteberry) as well.

Phil and Cindy,  Judy and Mark,  Debbie Sherman, Aunt Inez Fuchs and Beverly Rainey

Aunt Mattie Gale Thompson and Aunt Diana Spurlock.

After the reunion we stopped by Mark’s Great Grandmothers McLaury’s old homestead west of Sayre, OK on Hwy 152.  Mark remembers when this was a beautiful home with large garden and flowers everywhere.

On the way to the Fuchs farm,  we stopped at the Buffalo Cemetery.  A lot of the Fuchs family is buried here.   Mark's Mom, Joan Fuchs,  wrote the poem that is now on the gravestone and read it in church as her testimony, a few days before she suddenly passed away at only 50 years old.   "He gives me joy for living,  Love beyond compare, Peace that knows no measure, Friends to love and share. The Earth in all it's fullness, and Heaven for evermore, I'm Rich in all that matters,  I can't ask for more."

We then stopped by and saw Aunt Inez Fuchs who is 94 and still lives out on the farm by herself!  An awesome woman in so many ways.

We walked the grounds of Mark's Grandpa Daniel Fuchs original homestead and farm.   This is the Fuchs clan homestead when they moved to OK,  they initially lived in a dugout!  Mark's dad Calvin, was raised here and Mark also lived on the farm with Grandpa Daniel for a summer,  taking care of him before attending college in Sayre.

This was a full family reunion day ending with a drive to Aunt Diana's and Bill's lake home at Foss Reservoir.   It just so happened that there was a special evening of fireworks,  so we sat on the porch late into the night watching the show over the lake while catching up with family happenings.