New Blog for the Fam

 

 

 

 

I have been remiss in that I've not shared the "Minnick" genealogical info that I've garnered from others in the family. For that, I would ask y'all's (as in, all you all's) forgiveness. I'll try to tend this site and post more pictures of the clan when I can. Thank you for understanding and for not sending Nick and the boys over to straighten me out!

To start with, here are some pictures that focus on my dad. Cousin Joy (Brown) Higgs had wondered why on earth that Ol' Cousin Ran doesn't have more pics of him available! I was wondering the same thing! We'll focus on other parts of the family soon, no doubt. So, here we go!

 

 

This is Christmas at the Springville Veterans Memorial Building. Likely 1969.

Jelly Sanders on Fiddle, Jerry Brown and Connie Minnick on Guitar, Geraldine Minnick on drums. The handsome young man on the left is Jimmy Sanders who happens to be playing the first Mozerite bass guitar ever produced! Jim advises that, despite a minor loss of hair, he's the same good lookin' guy he ever was. Why, heck, Jimmy! We knew that!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Christmas of '74 at Mission Bell in Porterville. Connie Ray at the far right behind Logan Hampy  On the back row from the left is Bill and Willie Roberson. They were Connie's aunt and uncle. Next are Karen and Jerry Don Brown who is holding of their children. Hazel Brown (another of Connie's aunts) is in the golden colored dress and she is standing next Billie Jean Mitchell. Elaine Brown is in the pink dress. The next lady in the back wearing glasses is unknown to me (at least in this picture - don't I feel silly). Next is Joy, Jerry and Karen's daughter, and I'm not sure which child she is holding. Steve Minnick in the turquois shirt. Then, Fran, which was Connie's second wife. They hadn't been married but a short time at this time. She's standing in front of Connie Ray who is standing next to Logan Hampy. Their marriage only lasted for about three years or so then she moved to Sparks, NV.

 

The middle row has me somewhat stumped because I wasn't in Porterville from late '69 until April of '74. So, I didn't get to see the kids grow up and such. I'll do the best I can.  Kneeling from left to right: Mark Brown, probably Dennis Bell, Joni (Mitchell) Bell, Dathel Brown, (unknown young man in gray shirt-someone help me out), and (probably) Monty Mitchell but I'm unsure. In front, left to right: Melissa Brown, Cheryl Brown, Aaron Brown, Joy Brown. If I've messed this up, then PLEASE help me get it straightened out. Thanks!

 

Sorry for the low quality pic. It was likely taken with an old 110 camera by a truly less-than-amateur photographer.

Connie Ray and the boys, David [12-21-50 -- 12-10-79]  (lt), Randy, (center), and Steve (rt) 1959 in Rawlins, WYO. The neighborhood where this pic was taken is now a huge dirt lot where junk is stored. Randy was in the 5th grade, Dave was a 3rd grader, and Steve was in 1st grade.

This is the Brown and Minnick family circa 1943. Jerry Don Brown is on the left. Behind him is Billie Jean Minnick and next to her is Connie Ray Minnick. Seated in the front, of course, is Margaret J. (Sanders)(Minnick) Brown and her husband Aaron Brown. Aaron developed a neurological issue known as Parkinson's Disease. He died at a rest home in Porterville in the Late '60's as I recall. He lived with MA Sanders in a small house behind ours on A Street just off of Orange St. When MA died in 1960 (at age 70), He lived there alone for awhile until he was unable to care for himself. He was in his early to mid '60's when he passed. Margaret passed away in '83 (Logan died in '89). She was 75.

To the left is Billie Jean and Connie Ray with little brother Jerry Don (approx. 3 yrs). That would make the date on this pic about 1939. The school behind them is the "Vincent" grade school that is no longer there. It stood just a mile or so north of Poplar and across from what was then the camp that helped to house all of the Dust Bowl migrants. It was still standing until only a few years ago. The area is now fruit/nut trees.

To the right is a shot of Billie Jean and Connie Ray with cousin Jake Minnick who is now a retired minister who lives in the Ft. Worth area. I talked with him in '01 when he was still living in Duncan, OK. He used to pastor a church in Delano back in the mid-'60's.

 
 
 
 






US Army circa 1946

To the right is Connie Minnick (lt), Fuzzy Sanders (center), and Jelly Sanders (rt). This pic was probably taken at Murray Park in Porterville. The date is probably around 1943.

Connie Ray Minnick with sons, David (lt) and Randy (rt). Circa late summer of 1951 in Porterville.

 
 
 
 



Left is Connie Ray and Billie Jean at Murray Park in Porterville. Circa summer of '44.










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Connie Ray at approx. age 7. He was born April 1928  and died April 1979 a couple of days short of his 52nd birthday. He died at the Veteran's Hospital in Fresno. His last words were, "It's time now. I'm going home".

Billie Jean and Connie Ray on the fenders of the car. The picture was taken near Coffee Camp on Highway 190. There is a formal parking lot there now and the old flume in the background is still there. The gent on the far right is one of the Brown family and may even be Otto but I can't quite tell. I bet Elaine, Dathel, or Leslie can help us out here, eh?

Connie Ray to the right. Early 1950's.

This is Connie Ray Minnick....all dressed up! You just didn't see that a lot! The pic was taken when we lived in Fort Scott, KS at the corner of Charles and Steen streets. The house is still there but has been added onto. Circa spring of '58. Among other things, he was a radio disc Jockey with his own C&W program at KMDO Radio Staion 1600 AM (still operating but it's a rock station now). The locals loved that show, especially  my 4th grade teacher! From Fort Scott, we ended up in Rawlins, WYO where he worked in the oil fields.

Connie Ray - unknown age but probably 17 or just prior to his military service.

Connie Ray and Sister, Billie Jean. This is right after his stroke and heart attack so it's probably 1975 and probably at her trailer at Mission Bell. She lived immediately next door to their mother, Margaret Hampy. She married Logan Hampy in '54 or '55 as I recall. They had a beautiful red and white '55 Chevy at that time!

This was taken when Connie lived on Thomas Ave in Fresno (a half block off of N. Fresno Street) and was probably taken in the summer of '77  two years prior to his death. The little girl is a neighbor's child. I was privileged to care for him during that time. We lived only three blocks from where I worked (Jone's Ambulance at Fresno and Olive).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



The "Rhythm Rangers" band at the old "Sports Center" in Porterville. Jelly Sanders if playing the fiddle and Connie Minnick is playing guitar. Circa 1948. I think the lap steel player's name is Buddy Jayro. He still has kin in this area. The bass player is presumed to be Fuzzy Sanders. I'm still checking my resources (mostly Bobbie Helen) for info as to who these other gents are.