 Howard about 1967
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Howard about 1967
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Some memories from Howard's "Auto-Biography":
" 'In the beginning' memories go back to the year 1911 when I was less than 2 yrs. old, there was a 'Windup' train with a circular track which was stored intact hanging on the corner post of a 4poster bed in a bedroom back of the living room fire place in our home on Mason Street, Jackson, Michigan. I was told that the scar on the back of my head was caused by a fall onto the fireplace hardware. My brother Marshal was born here in Oct. 26, 1911.
"The story is told that I rode my 3wheel tricycle down to the railroad depot and was found there shouting 'Oh Too Too Cars.' The only recollection I have is of sitting perched upon a slanting topped desk, used by the 'desksergeant' to write in the names of incoming residents of the jail, while waiting for my parents to pick me up. Some one had given me a shiny penny and I accidentally dropped it into the brass spittoon on the floor alongside the desk (a common usage in those days of chewing tobacco); the memory ended there. (That would have been about 1912.)
"I vaguely remember my 6 yr. old sister playing house with
the neighbor kids across the street. Apparently I was the baby,
unclothed of course, to complete the family and the center of
much attention. I didn't seem to care."
From Charles Paige's introduction to Glimpses:
"This is a package of memories and pictures portraying highlights from the life and times of the late Reverend Howard O. Paige, including funeral notes and sentiments of others who knew him. Dad wrote Auto-Biography and Outline of Biography of H.O. Paige, himself, using a computer he had just toted from California in September of 1993. With his usual vim, vigor and enthusiasm for things new and interesting, Dad had pursued learning the IBM computer while engaging full throttle in writing of his earlier days--a legacy for those left behind. He was consumed by this project when illness set in and switched him to a side track.
"I had suggested doing a memoir in early 1993, when Dad was floundering as his marriage collapsed and ministry faded. He picked up on the idea immediately and started making notes. Later, when memories were pouring in, he asked that I edit his memoirs.
"My editing mostly concentrated on capitalization, hyphenation and spelling changes, and kept grammatical and punctuation alterations to a minimum--done only when necessary for a clearer understanding of what Dad was saying. Always I maintained his style. Footnotes were used throughout to make substantive corrections or expand with additional information.
"I suspect that Dad's one regret at the end was not having
finished his autobiography. One regret that he did not have was
his offspring. Looking up at family present in the room, while
waiting for the ambulance and less than an hour before departing
this world, Dad smiled and said 'I am blessed!' "
| "Dad Paige has left a great many other remembrances as part of the genealogical/historical works by yours truly, principally in The Coming Together series: Prior Generations, Volume One; Prior Generations, Volume One (Supplement); and Volume Two: Yesterday Today and Tomorrow." |
From Elizabeth Ann West's contribution to "Remembrances":
"I remember him when I was four. We (Mom, Dad, Angie and I) would go to the farm on Saturdays or Sundays. Angie and I would play all day in the orchard or around the lake. The only thing that mattered was who got the green tractor and who got the yellow. Grandpa gave me lots of hugs. I always told him that I loved him.
"Angie and I were very lucky. The "light" that
we saw our Grandpa in was completely different than that of our
cousins. He was this big man with lots of neat stuff and a smile
that had been passed down to our Mom."
Charlene (Paige) Garrett's poem for Howard:
In a little neighborhood Bible class
Then Mommy came home from Church one day
Her Daddy just wouldn't go to Church,
"Please help my Daddy to understand
The years went by, and the little girl
Then one day her Dad left her Mom
Then one night her Dad saw a picture
Her Daddy has never been the same |
| Charlene Frances (Paige) Garrett May 2nd, 1994 The day after Daddy died |
From Reverend Burt Cole and wife Pat's contribution to "Remembrances":
"We would like to express our sympathy at the passing of our friend, Howard Paige. When Howard was born again during our tenure as pastor of the United Methodist Church, his heart was set aflame with the love he received from his Heavenly Father.
"With a zeal not seen, but in a very few people, Howard took
the Great Commission seriously. He began to share the Good News
with anyone who would listen. He visited the shut ins, prayed
for the sick. He would pray, preach, sing, and play the organ
or piano for those in the nursing homes and visit the hospitals,
or anywhere anyone needed an encouraging word. He used his car
for a taxi, delivery van, bus, ambulance and tow truck. He would
pick up a hitchhiker so he could tell them about Jesus. Howard
was a pastor to everyone he came in contact with."
Pastor Don Whelpley's contribution to "Remembrances":
"The books have added much to my library and I have read from several of them--I may finish reading one this next week. Plus I am hoping to read sections from Foxes Book of Martyrs to my son this summer. That book was a frontier home staple. I don't think it has gotten worse over the years, only better. Thanks again!
"The funeral was one of my most relaxed services because
of my knowledge of your father and the responsiveness of the family.
Most funerals are tense times. But your father's funeral was full
of warmth and compassion. I am proud to have been chosen to perform
the service."
From Mary (Paige) West's contribution to "Remembrances":
"Dear Dad,
"It has been ten days since you traveled from this world
to the next. We all hope that you are happy. If my interpretation
of heaven is even close, you and I are now brother and sister
as children of God. It is with this understanding that I am writing
this letter, as my relationship with you as daughter and father
was not a comfortable one (as you know!).
"God was very present for your family during the time surrounding your passing. His love and mercy were with us. In fact, as I look back I am convinced that He orchestrated the whole event!
"While you were recuperating with Charlene and Bob, I was attending a Bible Study with Angie. We were studying the book of Matthew, and we were delving into Jesus' teachings. I had learned them as a child, but now they were speaking directly to my relationship with you. I realized that I needed God's help to remove my anger at you. I couldn't do it myself. What an insight to find that, "with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).
"I learned that if a man divorces his wife, remarries, is then converted and confesses his sins to God, the words of I John 1:7-9 apply: 'But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.' Mom understands this and forgave you long, long ago...
"Your children worked well together through the various aspects of handling your passing. It was inspiring to see Bud and Charlie share their areas of expertise as they pored over details to be settled. Each perspective was shared and respected. Elaine's help and support during this time was untiring. I am convinced that Char and Bob made your last months on this earth your happiest. We are all truly blessed that our love for each other (as well as God's love for us all) supported us during this time.
"All nine of your grandchildren were at your funeral, and three of your great-grandchildren! Two of Marilee's children and spouses, and her grandchildren were there. Mom's nieces and nephews were there for her, as well. The funeral itself held many blessings: personal thoughts from Bob and Bob Jr.; Charlene's reading of her poem, Laura's 'Amazing Grace' sung a cappella; Connie sharing her beautiful vision of angels and praying with you. I am so proud of my family.
"The way that family and friends rallied 'round continues to warm my heart and spread a smile across my face. God's love for us was manifested in so many ways. How well loved we are.
'Isn't God Good?'
"These comforting and profound words were from our friend, Sharron Whitcomb. Angie, Bumper and I had just arrived in Minneapolis from our l2+ hour trip home.
"Indeed, God is Good.
"Looking forward to seeing you again."
The above excerpts are a small part of the
180-page document telling of some high, some low, but mostly regular
points in the life of Howard Oswald Paige's 84 years.
The file is in PDF format and requires that you have the free
software Adobe™ Acrobat® Reader installed on your computer.
If you do not already have it installed, click here
to download a copy from Adobe's Web site.
Be advised that the size of the file is just over 7 megabytes. It may take
a while for it to load for viewing. On my computer system with a dial-up connection
it took just under ten minutes to open, but with my current Internet connection
it takes less than a minute.
When you're ready, click here
to have a further glimpse into the Life of this most intriguing fellow. Alternately or additionally click here to read behind-the-scenes journal notes of the times by siblings Charlene Frances (Paige) Garrett and Charles William Paige. The size of this file is 398 KB.
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