Beth and I are holding Barbara and her family in our hearts and prayers. Barbara and her Daddy, some time back, undertook a project together, to refurbish his 1958 Ford 641 Workmaster tractor, and bring it back to life. At the NCWW picnic at Forest City, she told me she would like very much for me to come and get the Ford, bring it to my home, and get it running and fixed up to my liking, and name my own terms. It's about the most generous and kind offer anyone ever offered me. I was very touched by her offer. Our hope was to be able to have the Ford tractor running for her Daddy to hear, while he was still with us. Unfortunately, I had to go back on the road driving full time, thus dramatically reducing my freetime. Happily though, I did get the once proud Ford Workmaster roaring back to life Wednsday afternoon, and running as it did in its former days. Even though Charlie couldn't hear it run, he was still with us at that moment.
In the Spring, when warmer temps. return, I plan to completely redo the Ford and return it to its glory days when it sported a beautiful shade of red, with gray only on its grill, fenders, and wheels. It is a labor of love to restore this tractor in memory of Charlie, and in honor of the bond it represented between Barbara and her Daddy.
Rest in peace, in the arms of God, Charlie Ellison.
