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December
28, 1917
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Max is
born in Kingfisher Oklahoma. He is the third child born to
his parents, Arthur Pappe and Violet Major Pappe.
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April
12, 1919
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Grandfather,
Richard Pappe Sr., age 59, dies suddenly from heart failure
in Kingfisher. Born in Germany in 1860, Richard came to the
US in 1882 and was one of the original homesteaders in in
the opening of Oklahoma Territory in 1889.
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January
1920
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The 1920
census shows the family living in Kingfisher at 320 West Sheridan
Avenue, Kingfisher, OK. Family members were Arthur (30), Violet
(30), M. Louise (8), Charles W (4 1/2), and Max M (2).
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June
10, 1920
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Art Pappe
leases 240 acre farm located at SE quarter and East 1/2 of
SW Quarter of Sec 13 in Twp 16 N, Range 7 WIM. Farm is located
adjacent to Richard Pappe Sr.'s original homestead.
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1923
- 1934
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Max
attends school in Kingfisher.
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August
10, 1927
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Max's
father, Art Pappe, and two brothers form a partnership company
known as the Pappe Oil Company in Kingfisher. Art's role is
building the structures for the gas station and tourist court,
which is located along Kingfisher Creek in North Kingfisher.
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October
1931
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Henry
Ford visits Kingfisher on a tour to celebrate the 20 millionth
Ford produced. Max and friend Scott Oswald ditch school to
attend the celebration.
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October
2, 1934
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Max enlists
in National Guard in Oklahoma. He was only 16 years old at
the time, but he lies about his age to get in. Served in Hq
2nd Bn 158th Field Artillery. Discharged December 12, 1940
to enlist in the regular army.
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Max and
Mildred meet for the first time in Kingfisher, Oklahoma
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1938
- 1940
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Employed
by Sam Wadley, Consulting Engineer for Rural Electrification
Administration, Kingfisher, Oklahoma, as Transit Operator.
Operates transit on survey crew, surveying high frequency
power lines for rural electrification.
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1938
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Shortly
after his 21st birthday, Max tours the U.S. by hopping freight
trains. He had many adventures living a hobo's life. According
to his journal, beginning February 7th, his route through the
south was:
1. Rock
Island RR from Kingfisher, OK to Ft. Worth, TX
2. Katy [Missouri-Kansas-Texas] RR to Houston, TX
3. Missouri Pacific RR to Baton Rouge, LA
4. Illinois Central RR to New Orleans, LA
5. LN [Louisiana & North] RR to Montgomery AL. His journal
say he "stopped at Flomenting [probably Flomaton,
AL] and tried to go to Florida. Crossed over was stopped
by Highway & RR dicks. I was blackjacked by a Montgomery
cop in Mont."
6. LN RR back to Mobile and from there to New Orleans
7. Texas Pacific RR to Ft. Worth, TX
8. Rock Island RR to Kingfisher, OK
He traveled
west as far as California, working in the orange groves, picking
oranges for $1.00 a day. His photo album shows him standing
on the clifts of Laguna Beach in 1938 with good friends Fritz
Lietzke and Charlie Nunn .
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September
16, 1940
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The 45th
Infantry Division was ordered into federal service for one
year to engage in a training program. Its members arrived
in Fort Sill, Oklahoma while the camp was being enlarged,
and most of the Guardsmen were camped in tents on the bald
prairie near where its summer training encampment had been
located. Winter clothing was very inadequate. Most of the
training aids were improvised.
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December
12, 1940
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Honorably
discharged from National Guard as Staff
Sergeant, Field Artillery
to enlist in regular army.
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December
13, 1940
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Enlists
in U.S. Army at Fort Sill, Oklahoma at age 22.
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November
15, 1941
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Completes
Communication Course at Field Artillery School, Fort Sill,
OK
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Summer
1941
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The 45th
Infantry Division moved from Fort Sill to Camp Barkeley, Louisiana.
There they participated in the Louisiana maneuvers-a major
training operation involving several other divisions. By the
end of the one- year call-up period, America was faced with
World War II, and the call was extended.
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July
11, 1941
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Max's
grandmother, Henrietta Mathilde Louise Kornrumph Pappe dies
in Kingfisher at age 80. Although she gave birth to 12 children,
she is survived by only four -- Richard Jr., Arthur, Louise
(Jersak), and Court Pappe.
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August
1, 1941
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Promoted
to Technical Sergeant,
United States Army while serving at HQ, 2nd BN., 258th Field
Artillery, Camp Barkley, Texas. Received certificate of proficiency
for Field Artillery School, Communication Course, specializing
in radio.
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1942
- 1943
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Serves
in Canal Zone (Panama). Also spends time at Fort Adair in Oregon
and Fort Ord in California. |
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May
1, 1943
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Promoted
to Master Sergeant,
United States Army, while serving at Fort Clayton, Canal Zone
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Summer/Fall
1943
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Attends
Officers Candidate School #86 at Ft. Sill, OK.
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November
10, 1943
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Promoted
to 2nd Lieutenant Honorably
discharged as Master Sergeant to accept commission.
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November
18, 1943
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Max Major
Pappe and Mildred Rose Wittrock are married in Oklahoma City,
OK. Bridesmaid is Mildred's sister, Rita Wittrock. Best man
is Max's friend, Fritz Lietzke.
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1943
- 1944
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Serves
in 298th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, Camp Polk, Louisiana
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April
19, 1944
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Receives
commendation for performance as Exchange Officer for the mobile
exchange of the 36th Tank Battalion at Camp Polk, Louisiana.
Reassigned to 769th FA, Camp Barkley, Texas
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November
1944
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Son, Donald
is born at Ft. Sill Army Hospital, OK. At 10 lb. 11 oz., he
is believed to be the biggest baby ever born there.
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August
25 1945 -
November 9, 1945
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Active
duty in Manilla, Philippine Islands. Arrives back in US November
24, 1945
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February
1946
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Daughter
Marilyn is born in Enid, OK.
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December
26, 1946
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Honorably
discharged from U.S. Army. Demobilized at Ft. Leavenworth,
KS. Received American Theater Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal,
American Defense Medal
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February
11, 1947
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Promoted
to First Lieutenant, United
States Army, following discharge from active duty.
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March
1947
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Daughter
Elaine is born in Oklahoma City, OK.
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Late
1947
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Family
moves to from Oklahoma to California. Max purchase a lot in
Downey and begins construction of a home. Art Pappe comes
to California to assist in the construction. The family moves
in with sister, Louise Altizer's, family in Bellflower during
construction.
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Early
1948
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Family
moves into new home in Downey, CA.
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About
1960
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Max and
partners establish a flooring company in Fullerton. They name
the company Floor Fashions, Inc.
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1966
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First
grandchild is born.
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July
15, 1967
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Max's
brother, Charles Woodrow Pappe, passes away in Oklahoma City
at age 52.
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1970
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Second
and third grandchildren are born. Twins!
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February
02, 1971
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Max's
father, Arthur Pappe, passes away in Kingfisher, at age 81.
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1971
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Max and
Mildred sell their home in Downey and business in Fullerton,
CA and retire to the Cathedral City, CA, near Palm Springs.
Mildred finds employment in appliance sales. Max works part
time in swimming pool maintenance.
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Abt.
1972
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Max
joins Elks Club Lodge No. 1905 in Cathedral City. |
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Abt.
1978
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Max passes
test for ham radio operator's license. Receives call sign
KA6EKV.
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1978
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Fourth
grandchild is born.
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January
03, 1979
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Max's
mother, Violet Major Pappe, passes away in Oklahoma City at
age 90.
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1984
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Fifth
grandchild is born.
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1992
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Mildred
retires from her sales position at Famillian Pipe and Supply.
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November
1993
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Max and
Mildred celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Friends
and relatives come from all over to celebrate with them.
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1996
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First
two great grandchildren are born -- twin girls.
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Spring
2000
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Mildred
moves to residential care facility.
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Spring
2001
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Max's
health begins to fail.
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February
24, 2002
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Max succumbs
to complications of cancer, at the residential home where
he had been living. His family spent the day with him, saying
their good-byes. He went peacefully and willingly to the next
stage of his life.
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March
9, 2002
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Memorial
services held in Cathedral City.
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