Soapweed
Well-known member
In January of 1972, I enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard with the Chadron unit. I attended basic training and AIT at Fort Ord, California from June 8th until mid-October of that year. Recently I have been going through an old box containing correspondence I received while being stationed there. These letters from home meant a lot to a country boy many miles from his familiar surroundings. I felt rather sad that I was not able to attend this particular event. My grandmother was Mrs. J.J. Moreland (Grace), and this article featured her brother.
JOY J. FAIRHEAD feted on 80th birthday, from THE GORDON JOURNAL, August 16, 1972
The family of Joy J. Fairhead held a surprise 80th birthday dinner for him on Saturday, August 12th, at the ranch home of Mr. and Mrs. Joy C. Fairhead and family, near Merriman. Present for the occasion in addition to the honored guest and his wife were his sons-in-law and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. LaVerne Ricedorff, Durango, Colorado and Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hoatson, Nevada, Missouri; a grandson and his family, Pvt. And Mrs. Jack Ricedorff and Randy; his sons and daughters-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Garould Fairhead and family and the host Joy C. Fairhead family. Mr. and Mrs. Edgar (Pealy) Allen of Crescent City, California were also guests of honor. Mr. Allen and Mr. Fairhead, born August 11th and August 12th respectively, were boyhood chums who celebrated their birthdays together as young people.
On Sunday morning, August 13th, Mr. Fairhead's entire family together with several close friends met to worship with him at the Merriman Methodist Church. During the service he was accorded special recognition by the pastor, Rev. Russell DeWitt, and a favorite song, Invisible Hands, was sung by Nancy Fairhead and Debra Moreland, accompanied by Jeana Haag.
A reception was held in the yard of the retired rancher's Merriman home on Sunday afternoon. Over 150 guests came to help celebrate, some from points as far away as Colorado, Oregon, Wyoming, Idaho, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Kansas, as well as many Merriman, Martin, Gordon, and Valentine people. Many telephone calls and birthday messages from distant relatives and friends were also received.
The serving table, appointed in white and yellow, was centered with the birthday cake baked by Mrs. Lloyd Starr and decorated with the many family brands. The matching bouquets of late summer flowers were arranged by granddaughters, Sarah Fairhead and Jeana Haag. Mrs. Joy J. Fairhead cut the cake assisted by Mrs. Grace Moreland and Mrs. Robert Moreland. Mrs. LaVerne Ricedorff served punch and Mrs. Earl Hoatson presided at the silver coffee service. Nancy Fairhead attended the guest book. Before the cake was cut, Gary Fairhead read a poem that his mother had written, in his grandfather's honor.
In the evening following the reception, a carry-in supper was held at the home for family and close friends with about 35 guests present.
POEM dedicated to Joy J. Fairhead for his 80th birthday, August 12, 1972. It was composed by his daughter-in-law, Gladys Fairhead, wife of Garould Fairhead, of Merriman, Nebraska.
Lines for your birthday:
THE VIEW FROM THE HILL
Upon the hill above the ranch the old cowboy drew rein,
His glance in satisfaction swept his pleasant green domain.
At many wells the windmills wheeled, the sparkling water drew,
The bounteous meadow grasses bowed before each breeze that blew.
The cattle herds on upland range pursued their placid graze.
Long years of toil the view compassed that spread beneath his gaze.
A rich and blessed valley now, where once a marshland stood
So beautiful and bountiful, that all he saw seemed good.
Within his valley's groves of green sheltered each son's abode.
Laughter and shouting caught his ear as home his cowboys rode.
Tall sons and grandsons mingled there, with merry quip and jest.
Granddaughters glimpsed in flowered yards, his sweetest flowers and best.
A grateful impulse stirred his heart and prompted him to prayer
To see his name, his life's long work, perpetuated there.
In trust that others might enjoy foundations he had laid
He doffed his hat, dismounted there, knelt humbly down and prayed.
THE RANCHERS PRAYER
For all Thy many blessings, Lord, for all at my command
I thank Thee, for I've only been Thy humble hired hand.
A faithful herdsman, well I've kept, for what Thou has entrusted me
As foreman for my "Heavenly Boss," – "The Greatest Herdsman" –Thee.
In all life's toil and care, O Lord, mid all its woe and strife,
I've tried to live within Thy Corral, a Godly earnest life.
My cattle and my people, too, within the boundary fence
I've tried to keep, and hazed them back, if ever they strayed hence.
My children's precious little souls, whose care Thou gave to me,
I've chivvied toward Thy feeding lot of love and grace so free.
I've taught them prayer and God, I've taught them not to shirk,
To pay their debts, to tell the truth, to do a full day's work.
With precept and example just, Thy narrow path I've trod
That straight and narrow cattle trail to Thy Home Ranch, O God.
Leading my little drove of souls, attending every need,
You know, a lot depends upon the puncher riding lead.
There's sure no critter in my care known hunger, thirst, disease
That any thought or work of mine could comfort or appease.
In blackest midnight's stormy hour, or blizzard's freezing blast,
In blazing heat of summer's noon, my working hours I've passed.
And when Thy hungry people sit at tables spread to eat,
It's cattlemen like me, O Lord, providing them with meat.
I've served Thy Church; my nation served amid war's fierce alarm;
In camp and field Thou wert my Shield, preserving me from harm.
When safe returned, I drained the marsh and planted trees and grass.
Thou'll find Thy rich earth richer still because I chanced to pass.
There's none I turned away from, Lord, in sorrow, want, or sin
But that I solaced, helped their need, and prayed their souls to win.
If my life serve to please Thee, Lord, as proof of faithfulness
In Thy dear favor I'll rejoice—Thy Name I'll always bless. Amen
SUNDOWN
Prayers moment past, he mounted up, the sunset's glorious hue
His long and upright shadow cast, against the evening's blue.
The tints of gold and crimson died across the skies above,
As down the hill he homeward rode, secure within God's love.
JOY J. FAIRHEAD feted on 80th birthday, from THE GORDON JOURNAL, August 16, 1972
The family of Joy J. Fairhead held a surprise 80th birthday dinner for him on Saturday, August 12th, at the ranch home of Mr. and Mrs. Joy C. Fairhead and family, near Merriman. Present for the occasion in addition to the honored guest and his wife were his sons-in-law and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. LaVerne Ricedorff, Durango, Colorado and Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hoatson, Nevada, Missouri; a grandson and his family, Pvt. And Mrs. Jack Ricedorff and Randy; his sons and daughters-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Garould Fairhead and family and the host Joy C. Fairhead family. Mr. and Mrs. Edgar (Pealy) Allen of Crescent City, California were also guests of honor. Mr. Allen and Mr. Fairhead, born August 11th and August 12th respectively, were boyhood chums who celebrated their birthdays together as young people.
On Sunday morning, August 13th, Mr. Fairhead's entire family together with several close friends met to worship with him at the Merriman Methodist Church. During the service he was accorded special recognition by the pastor, Rev. Russell DeWitt, and a favorite song, Invisible Hands, was sung by Nancy Fairhead and Debra Moreland, accompanied by Jeana Haag.
A reception was held in the yard of the retired rancher's Merriman home on Sunday afternoon. Over 150 guests came to help celebrate, some from points as far away as Colorado, Oregon, Wyoming, Idaho, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Kansas, as well as many Merriman, Martin, Gordon, and Valentine people. Many telephone calls and birthday messages from distant relatives and friends were also received.
The serving table, appointed in white and yellow, was centered with the birthday cake baked by Mrs. Lloyd Starr and decorated with the many family brands. The matching bouquets of late summer flowers were arranged by granddaughters, Sarah Fairhead and Jeana Haag. Mrs. Joy J. Fairhead cut the cake assisted by Mrs. Grace Moreland and Mrs. Robert Moreland. Mrs. LaVerne Ricedorff served punch and Mrs. Earl Hoatson presided at the silver coffee service. Nancy Fairhead attended the guest book. Before the cake was cut, Gary Fairhead read a poem that his mother had written, in his grandfather's honor.
In the evening following the reception, a carry-in supper was held at the home for family and close friends with about 35 guests present.
POEM dedicated to Joy J. Fairhead for his 80th birthday, August 12, 1972. It was composed by his daughter-in-law, Gladys Fairhead, wife of Garould Fairhead, of Merriman, Nebraska.
Lines for your birthday:
THE VIEW FROM THE HILL
Upon the hill above the ranch the old cowboy drew rein,
His glance in satisfaction swept his pleasant green domain.
At many wells the windmills wheeled, the sparkling water drew,
The bounteous meadow grasses bowed before each breeze that blew.
The cattle herds on upland range pursued their placid graze.
Long years of toil the view compassed that spread beneath his gaze.
A rich and blessed valley now, where once a marshland stood
So beautiful and bountiful, that all he saw seemed good.
Within his valley's groves of green sheltered each son's abode.
Laughter and shouting caught his ear as home his cowboys rode.
Tall sons and grandsons mingled there, with merry quip and jest.
Granddaughters glimpsed in flowered yards, his sweetest flowers and best.
A grateful impulse stirred his heart and prompted him to prayer
To see his name, his life's long work, perpetuated there.
In trust that others might enjoy foundations he had laid
He doffed his hat, dismounted there, knelt humbly down and prayed.
THE RANCHERS PRAYER
For all Thy many blessings, Lord, for all at my command
I thank Thee, for I've only been Thy humble hired hand.
A faithful herdsman, well I've kept, for what Thou has entrusted me
As foreman for my "Heavenly Boss," – "The Greatest Herdsman" –Thee.
In all life's toil and care, O Lord, mid all its woe and strife,
I've tried to live within Thy Corral, a Godly earnest life.
My cattle and my people, too, within the boundary fence
I've tried to keep, and hazed them back, if ever they strayed hence.
My children's precious little souls, whose care Thou gave to me,
I've chivvied toward Thy feeding lot of love and grace so free.
I've taught them prayer and God, I've taught them not to shirk,
To pay their debts, to tell the truth, to do a full day's work.
With precept and example just, Thy narrow path I've trod
That straight and narrow cattle trail to Thy Home Ranch, O God.
Leading my little drove of souls, attending every need,
You know, a lot depends upon the puncher riding lead.
There's sure no critter in my care known hunger, thirst, disease
That any thought or work of mine could comfort or appease.
In blackest midnight's stormy hour, or blizzard's freezing blast,
In blazing heat of summer's noon, my working hours I've passed.
And when Thy hungry people sit at tables spread to eat,
It's cattlemen like me, O Lord, providing them with meat.
I've served Thy Church; my nation served amid war's fierce alarm;
In camp and field Thou wert my Shield, preserving me from harm.
When safe returned, I drained the marsh and planted trees and grass.
Thou'll find Thy rich earth richer still because I chanced to pass.
There's none I turned away from, Lord, in sorrow, want, or sin
But that I solaced, helped their need, and prayed their souls to win.
If my life serve to please Thee, Lord, as proof of faithfulness
In Thy dear favor I'll rejoice—Thy Name I'll always bless. Amen
SUNDOWN
Prayers moment past, he mounted up, the sunset's glorious hue
His long and upright shadow cast, against the evening's blue.
The tints of gold and crimson died across the skies above,
As down the hill he homeward rode, secure within God's love.
