1844 to 2016

My Great Grandfather was a Civil War Captain for the north from Kansas. He was born in 1844, then served as a Captain in the Civil war and returned and married a lady born in 1851 in the 1870s he started a drug store with herbs gathered by Native Americans in Kansas. He kept this drug store running until 1925 when he sold it. He lived then until 1937. So, he lived until age 93.

My Grandfather (father's father) was born in 1877 and lived until 1970 so he also lived until 93 also. My Grandfather was an Electrical Contractor and so were two of his sons. His third son passed away (the youngest in 1942 we believe possibly during world war II. He was a pilot). I like to fly too so my Dad made me promise not to get my license until he passed away. Since Dad passed away in 1985 from Prostate Cancer I soloed in 1987 to honor my promise to him so he wouldn't have to lose me like he did his brother which devastated the whole family in 1942 because he was the nicest person of all the kids so everyone loved him. People tend to like me too because I am polite and kind so I'm a little like my father's brother in some ways.

My Great Grandmother was born in 1851 and passed on in 1953. So she lived 102 years. My father said one of their other relatives live to 105 years old who was a farmer I believe. So, at least in my father's family longevity is normal. My father's family came to the U.S. on something like a Mayflower kind of ship from England even though they started out in Switzerland near Zurich. There were 6 brothers who originally came to the U.S. because of all the opportunities here then in 1725 or around there. I can trace my Dad's family back to about 1580 in Switzerland so far. So, my Great Grandfather was born in 1844, My Grandfather was born in 1877, my father was born in 1916 and I was born in 1948 and my children were born (biological children) were born in 1974, 1989, and 1996. And my step kids were born in 1971 and 1973. My God daughter was born in 1985.

And everyone is alive and happy so far of my kids and step kids, but my parents, Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts are all passed away now. A few of my cousins are still alive but at least 3 of my cousins have died so far that I know of.