Born June 13, 1943 in Springfield, Missouri. 

June 13, 1943 in Springfield, Mo, St. Joseph Hospital, Leonard and Frances Erb were presented with the highlight of their lives.  I, Jim Erb, was born.  They tried several times to re-produce that example of perfection, came close, but finally quit trying 18 years later.  God bless em.

The following phrases, events, and the opening statement are 90% true.

Fortunate, is a very weak word to describe my life, as belonging to the Erb/Smith family, but can’t come up with a better one as of this moment.

When I was 3 years old, I started to walk to Kansas, but luckily my grandma and aunt saw me and gave me a ride the rest of the way.  Don’t know how long I stayed on the farm with grandma and grandpa, but was later told that I shared a bed with Uncle Irvin. He was killed in a car accident ½ mile north of the driveway turn off to the farm.  No one actually knows details of the accident, but was later told by the Reha boys that lil Red had a bet that he could make it home in a certain amount of time in a car that was “hopped-up”.   He didn’t make it.  

Went back to Springfield for a while then moved family back to the farm south of Timken.  John and Betty were in the move also.  Dad took over the farm-livestock operation and I have no idea how he did with that, didn’t matter cause Mom got homesick, and back to Springfield we go.  By that time Bill and Jerry were born, I think. Remembering dates ain’t one of my things. 

I remember a few things about the farm operation, ie, filling the stock tank from the windmill with a hose, moving the hose to the roof of the garage to fill the 2-55 gallon steel drums with water so the guys could shower after working all day in the field.  Gene Smith helped one summer with harvest.  Sloppin’ hogs, feeding bucket calves, feeding cattle were my favorite chores.  For the rest of my life, I liked working with livestock, mainly cattle.  I do remember riding on the tractor, a lot.  Dad took me to Timken Grade School in the 1st. grade.  The pickup had dual straight pipe stacks.  Watched him shoot a pheasant with a rifle, outside the passenger window, as I was in the passenger seat. Won’t forget that one.

In Springfield, John, Betty, and I went to St. Joseph grade school.  Attended Mass every morning.  Walked home in good weather, always stopped by the Horton’s for a short visit. Spent lots of summer nights at the ballpark watching uncles play fast pitch softball.  Have always kept my love for that game and will for the rest of my life.  Just sad that the interest in the game has dwindled in rural Kansas.

Thinkin’ it was bout the middle of my fourth grade, we moved back to Timken (should have been named Spinner Smith )  6 moves back and forth in that span of time.  Timken was a big change from Springfield.  To be honest, I did not feel welcome when we moved back.  I was very uncomfortable in the new school surroundings.  It took ‘til bout the 7th grade before I felt accepted.  Think sports turned the tide.  Completed grade school and high school with two of my best friends, Mel Holopirek and Doug Jones.  Those two are still the best memories of all my school days.

Received a track scholarship from Hutch Juco.  Played football the first semester and decided I was not ready to settle down and study, so dropped out of college.

 Tried to enlist in the Marines, but failed the physical, due to having a pin in my arm from a car accident.  Got married in Great Bend in 1963.  The Good Lord blest me with two beautiful daughters, Darcy and Jana.  I have literally lived and breathed for these two, as they were and still are the loves of my life, bar none.

Worked for O’Neill Tank Company for several years, billing clerk, inside sales, purchasing agent, etc.  Dave O’Neill decided to sell his company when the shop voted to go union.  After the sale, I was sent to Denver to be Rocky Mountain Regional Manager.  The new company that bought O’Neill was not very astute in the oil business.  I realized that soon after the transfer to Denver.  The Good Lord was looking out for me, cause out of the blue, I received a call from Vincent Rossetti, VP Sales, for Eaton Metal Products.  He was looking for someone with the background in oilfield tank sales.  Seeing the writing on the wall, with O’Neill, I accepted Vince’s offer and started work at Eaton’s oilfield division.  The decision was lucrative for both of us.

Thru the years in Denver I traveled extensively though out the Rocky Mountain Region.  As good things don’t last forever, I attempted to purchase a small production equipment company.  Spent lots of money, but failed to make the transaction. Accepted a job as Region 4 sales manager for a wear steel supply company.  My new territory was extended to the western 14 states.  Traveling and living in the big city took its toll on me and tried for several years to move to the country without success.

I found a company looking for a sales and service rep that would shut down my extensive travel, and I would be in the country (oil patch) most of the time.  I was transferred to Farmington, NM.  After a year there, I was promoted to Region Manager. While there, I hired a secretary, and ended up marrying her.  Accepted a job with another company, in the same business.  They obtained a distributorship for a pumping unit device that I thought would work well in Kansas.  While surfing the net for farms, acreage, etc. while living in our townhome west of Durango, I found a farm west of Antonio, Ks. that looked perfect for us.  Called my brother Jerry to have him look at the property.  He advised “Hell yes you will like it”.  One Friday evening after work Trena and I were drinking a beer and decided we should take a look at it.  Drove from Durango to Schoenchen that night.  Can’t thank Jerry and Lorene enough for putting up with us.  Looked at the place and figured it was the right place.  Bought it and moved back to Kansas.  I had finally found what I had been looking for all my life. Unfortunately, health reasons force us to sell it.  One of the saddest times in my life.

In summary, I have truly been blessed with family and lots of great friends.  The times spent in the mountains with Alan Wernstrum, the teams I played fast pitch softball with, and last but not least, Darcy and Jana and the grandchildren they produced for me.  I am proud of all of them.  Although, I do not agree with tattoos, piercings, and liberal types of thinking, I love ‘em to pieces with all my heart.  Just wishin’ I could spend more time with ‘em. 

List of lifes influences:  0 to 4th grade = Uncles and Aunts in Springfield, Mo
      
5th grade to freshman = Grandpa and Grandma Erb

High school = Principal Frank Randel and coach Ned Rolfs

After high school ‘til now = My parents.  Finally figured out that they knew more than anyone.

Attended: The Richard Kraisinger School of Fancy Tractor Drivin.

Accomplishments: Pin setter of the year – Pin Setters Association of America – Timken Chapter.

Named Altar Boy of the Year 4 years in a row – Altar Boy Association of America- Timken Chapter.

More to come, just cain’t think of any more right now.

AMEN