Charles Edward Burcham 90th Birthday November 15, 2020
My Dear Charles, It was a lovely April evening and my best friend Bobbie Sue and I were at the Morrilton Drive-In. We had not been there long when you and Price Stroud pulled in beside us. You had just returned to Morrilton after serving in the army. I knew Price and he introduced us. You and your 1954 Ford Crown Victoria, which you said you bought with money you won playing poker, soon had my heart. What a great summer we had and most of our dates were on Petit Jean Mountain where we had cookout dinners. Your friends Price and Lowell Winningham with their girl friends joined us for the cookouts. We married in November and began our many happy years with Mike, Amy and Beth, the joys of our lives. Still Love You After All These Years,
Vola
Dear Charles, In the early days of your marriage to Vola Sue, you had a guide and best friend. Frank was there for you. Spending weekends at their house in Perryville, he taught you many things, like fishing, sleeping on the front porch and being the head of a family. I'm sure there are also many other things that you can't put your finger on that invisibly, just through observation, and molded you as a man, husband, and father. The gift that my children's great grandfather gave you, you have given me. Do you remember when Beth and I were dating, and we'd come to your house for dinner? Beth and Sue would go on a walk, which we later found out they were going to Baskin Robbins for ice cream. You and I would sit in the backyard on Terrytown with a glass of bourbon. I would say, "Beth bought a new dress, and she said it was on sale. I don't think it was." You'd say, "Ah, hell, it OK, Sue's been doing that to me for 40 years." I tell people it was such an old-fashioned courtship. We came over every week and spent time with our most influential people who taught us about marriage by example, love, and fun. I remember when you took me crappie fishing at Lake Maumelle in about 30degree weather. We caught a boatload. I tried to clean one, and you told me it looked like I cleaned a snake and you would clean the rest. That worked for me! I asked you for Beth's hand, not for Beth, but because of the respect, I had and still have for you. Whether you know it or not, you're my Frank. You've taught me to be a husband and father. Thank you! I love you.
Bill
Dear Grandaddy, Happy 90th Birthday!!! I wanted to take a moment to let you know how thankful I am to have you in my life. You and Gran have always been so good and kind to me. Even though we may not be related by blood, I have spent so much more time with you and Gran than I was able to spend with my own biological grandparents. You’ve always made me feel just as important to you as any of your other grandchildren. Thank you for that – I love you very much! I’m not sure if you know this, but Kirsten and I took a vacation this August to Table Rock Lake in Missouri. It was our first time visiting that area, and we had a wonderful time. The topography was stunning. We were amazed at how those rolling hills plunged down to the lakeshore. During one afternoon, we went for a drive around the lake, admiring the views in all directions and marveling at all of the development that has happened there in a relatively short period of time. It was also really interesting to see how the area was drawing visitors from all over the country. We even met a family that drove all the way from South Dakota for their summer vacation because they were so fond of the area. I was really proud to tell that family – and several others during our stay –my granddaddy worked on the project that created that lake! I am sorry that I am not able to share my birthday wishes to you in person on November 15th, but I will be there with you in thought and spirit! With much love,
Francisco
Dear Grandaddy, Happy 90th Birthday! I am so thankful and blessed to have you in my life. I have wonderful memories of the times we shared together in Big Canoe. Some of my favorites are our birthday parties on the tree stump and whacking foxes on the road. I also cherish all of the Thanksgivings and Easters spent in beautiful Clarksville. Now, I am so blessed to have you here in Marion so that my children, Lily and Micah, have the treasure of knowing you and having you in their lives. I will always remember calling you to tell you that you would be Great Grandfather, and you said, “what’s new?!” We love you very much, Grandaddy, and we are so thankful to have you close to us in Marion. “My Name is Charles Burcham, and your name is Mudd!” Love, Eva
Dear Grandaddy, No one loves their family more than you, and we are so thankful to have you and your wonderful sense of humor in our lives! All the memories of hanging outside while you were grilling steaks, learning to fish with you, and all the adventures in the woods mean the world to me! You have a kind heart and a strong one too, still ticking at 90! We are thankful for every year we get with you, can’t wait to see you again! Love W. “Little Tiger”
Happy birthday! I cannot believe you are 90 years old today! It seems like just yesterday we were out on your boat fishing, hiking through the woods, and then cleaning all those bluegills before you fried them up. Those were some of my favorite memories on the planet. It was always so much fun watching just how close attention to detail you paid cleaning those fish, to the point that not a single piece of meat was left on the bone. Your attention to detail is always something that I will appreciate you passing along to me. It has helped in so many different areas of my life, as well as so many of the other things I've learned from you. I am so lucky that I got to spend four years of my life within an hour's drive from you and Gran. Those weekends where I would visit you all meant more than I can ever describe. It was my home away from home, and while we have always been close, we got even closer during that time. Sitting at the kitchen table with you after one of Gran's amazing meals, eating some pie, was such a fun time that I will always cherish. I hope you have an amazing day, Grandaddy! And again, happy birthday! Love, Spencer Charles "Little Eagle"
Dear Charles, My Favorite Father-In-Law, How endearing it has been to me that you call me your Favorite Daughter In Law! I especially liked it when you would say that to me in front of people that didn't know that I was your ONLY Daughter In Law! I feel blessed that when I married Mike, the Love of my life that I got you as part of the package deal. I also feel blessed that Zach has you for a Grandaddy. Being a wonderful Grandfather to our child has meant the world to me. I wish you a very Happy 90th Birthday - You sure do look good!! With Love, Your Favorite Daughter-In-Law, Julie
Happy Birthday, Grandaddy! I am so happy to have the chance to send you greetings and one of my favorite memories on this special day. When Dude and I were newly dating, I had the honor of spending Christmas with you and the family in Atlanta. You and I had a conversation in the middle of the day on Christmas Eve, where you told me all about your family and your love of Gran and your children. That conversation created such a glow around you and around the entire holiday gathering. Your gratitude, good cheer, and joy were contagious. Because of time spent with you, that will always be one of my favorite adult Christmases. You inspire Dude and me to remember that family is everything and that time spent together is the best gift. Have a wonderful birthday celebration! PS. Dude and I visited Table Rock Lake for a few days in August this year, and we thought of you the whole time. What a beautiful place and community your hard work created! We were so delighted to know we had such a connection to it through you.
Kirstin
Dear Grandaddy, Happy birthday! I wish dearly that I could celebrate with you and Gran in person. Although nothing replaces time spent with family, I hope that these letters can show you how much we love you as a stand-in for our physical presence. I want to thank you for being the patriarch of our amazing family and sharing all that you have with us. For instance, one thing that you shared with me is a love for fishing. Many of my fondest childhood memories took place on your boat. And although I love the fishing aspect of fishing, I think it should come as no surprise that the eating aspect is genuinely my favorite part of fishing. Watching you fry fish and hush puppies is an integral experience that turned me into the cook and connoisseur I am today. My experiences fishing are now inextricably tied to the memories that we shared, the fish we caught, and the meals we had together. I will always be grateful for these memories. I hope you have a great day, and I hope that I can see you in person again soon. With love, Zach
Dear Charles, I would like to wish you a very happy birthday! Most importantly, I would like to wish you good health and happiness. May your days overflow with love from your wonderful family and friends. I am married to your grandson, Victor, and we have two beautiful little girls together (Emma and Rainna). Thank you for playing such a key role in Victor’s life. And of course, for teaching him how to fish. It is still a true passion of his, and it has carried over into our family life. I am so happy that he has such a strong role model as yourself. We are so sad that we cannot be there to celebrate your 90th birthday with you, but know that you are missed terribly, and we are so very eager to see you soon. I hope you enjoy your special day! I have a feeling you’ll be eating a piece of Gran’s famous pie in celebration. Enjoy!! With love, Margarita Vasquez Margarita Vasquez, M.Ed CCC-SLP
Dear Daddy, I feel so blessed to be celebrating your 90th birthday. You have been such a wonderful father. Throughout my life, you have made me feel safe and secure. You provided the example of how to build a wonderful career as you progressed steadily through your career to become the Chief of Real Estate for the Corp of Engineers. I loved watching you leave for work each morning dressed like the cover of a magazine with the perfect suit, shirt, and tie. I have memories of going shopping with you. Both you and Mom always looked so wonderful and inspired my love of clothes and paying attention to the details of how I dressed. I know you had a chance to further your career by moving to DC or Atlanta. I thank you for putting your family first and giving us a wonderful family life in Arkansas. I will always remember the vacations you and Mom took us on to Colorado and the Beach! And of course, I was the luckiest 16-year-old girl at Parkview when you got me a Camero! You gave me my love of music as we laid on the floor in our living room on Elkhart Drive, listening to Willie Nelson. When you retired, you poured your love and guidance into becoming a wonderful Granddaddy and Great Granddaddy. Your impact on my children has been immeasurable. I also love you for being a great provider to Mom and the safe and secure retirement you provided. I cherish every day we have together and wish you a VERY HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY. I love you so much, Daddy. Your loving daughter, AMY
Dear Papa, Happy 90th birthdayâ?¤ It was a very special day when you came into this world and would become the husband to Vola Sue and father to Mike, Amy, and me, "your B." You often say you are the luckiest man ever; I would say we are the lucky ones. I was thinking about some of my most favorite times shared with you. Here are a few that stand out in my mind: Can a Daddy wash a foot? Yes, a Daddy can wash a foot. (I am still surprised I have any skin left)! Eating roasted peanuts in the attic on Elkhart Drive, we would have to knock on the floorboard when we were ready for Mom to open the door to let us out. Standing on the front porch with you looking for funnel clouds in the sky during the summer storm season, While Mom was cleaning out the hall closet so we could dash in should we spot one. The time we went fishing on Lake Maumelle when I got my hook caught in a bush and when you helped me get it out if came straight into the boat and hooked me in the knee. It was the only thing I managed to catch that day. But it was so fun just being out there with you. And I felt so proud when you let me drive the boat. I remember Friday night steak cookouts with family and friends. Those nights were always such fun with delicious food, and the sound of Willie, Waylon, and the Boys playing
filled the air. To this day, nothing makes me happier than when Bill asks me, how about streaks Friday night?! When Bill and I were getting married 30 years ago on November 17th, you were turning 60. We had a wonderful pre-wedding celebration for your birthday at Coy's in Little Rock. And from there, Bill and I shared many Sunday meals with you and Mom when we lived in Little Rock. Those were such fun times, and they gave Bill and me a great foundation to build our lives together.
Helping me pack boxes as only you could do for our many moves. Perfection! Including the time you threw out Bill's stinky tennis shoes and told me you would take the blame when he discovered they were gone. All of these wonderful memories are the many reasons I love you so much. But one thing, in particular, has always been the thing I have carried with me. I never backed out of your driveway when you haven't said to me, "B, if you need anything, you know I will always be there." And there have been times in my life when I did need you, and you were ALWAYS there. I am so proud of you Papa, and I am so very grateful you are my Dad. Happy 90th birthday. I can't wait until we are celebrating your 100th All my love, Your B
Dear Dad, HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY !!! Wow, that's quite an accomplishment and a testament to your leading an active and healthy life. And I am so glad that you are still pretty doggone healthy for a guy your age. Dad, I also want to take this opportunity to thank you for all that you have done for me. The example that you set for me, in so many areas, have been instrumental in me becoming the man I have become. For example, you showed me that education is important. From an early age, you would tell me that "average" was not what I should strive for ( this was driven home every time I would bring a "C" home on my report card !) You told me at a young age that I needed to go to college and then you and Mom put all of us kids through college. That is certainly no small feat and I thank you for that. You also taught me, by your example, the value, and importance of working hard and going that extra mile in your work so as to advance in your career and be better able to take care of, and to provide for your family. I remember seeing you doing work that you had brought home from the office at our kitchen table at night. When I got out of school and started my career, I found it "normal" to go to work an hour early and stay late. To work at home, or go into the office on the weekend for a few hours, just to get ahead and be able to perform well. What you taught me, through your example, was "professionalism" and a burning desire to "get ahead." I thank you for that example. And most importantly, both you and Mom both showed us that you loved us in so many different ways. There was NEVER a doubt, even when I was getting in trouble and being punished for something, that it was because you loved me, and you were holding me to a high standard. Thank you for that. ( I'll admit I was so crazy about it when I was a kid! ) Dad, at the wonderful age of 90 years old you can proudly look back and rest assured that your kids never went without anything that we NEEDED and that you also often provided us with many things that we "WANTED". You have also been a loving grandfather and great grandfather, and our kids know that and appreciate it. On your 90th Birthday, I want you to know that I love you very much and that I am VERY appreciative of you and of all the love and support you have provided me. Sincerely and with love,
Mike
Dear Granddaddy, I hope this letter finds you well on your 90th Birthday. Let me start by saying that you are the best Granddaddy anybody could ask for. You taught me how to fish and how to write my name in the sand. You also gave me my appreciation for nature and taught me how to be a good person. I'll never forget when you took me to the beach when I was four years old. We spent an entire month together in Gulf Shores. I was only four years old! Remember when I hooked that big black Crappie on Lake Maumelle? I got off right before you could net it. I was very upset, but you told me that it would only get bigger munching on minnows, and I would catch it again when it was a giant. That was at least 30 years ago, so I can only imagine how big that Crappie must be by now. Remember that time we had to cross the lake in the storm and the motor died? We had to use the trolling motor and paddles. I was so scared, and I asked you if we were scared, and you said no. And just like that, I wasn't scared anymore. I have always looked up you, Granddaddy. You taught me many things and gave me many fond memories. I wish you the very best on your 90th Birthday. Love, Victor "Little Hawk" Vasquez