Remembering Past Friends

"James “Jim” Harold McClary, of Branson, died Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, in Branson, at the age of 81....What he enjoyed most was his work he did at Kanakuk Kamp for more than 40 years. Jim took great enjoyment from being around young people and during the summers the children at the kamps."

With over 80 years of history right here in the Ozark Mountains, Kanakuk has some stories to tell. Not just glamorous accounts of high adventure camping, but tales of those who made it possible! Over the years it has taken many dedicated people to keep Kanakuk Kamps on it's feet and growing. Many of those people have been, and still are, natives of this very area. In fact their families farmed these lands and made a life here long before the first rustic cabin was put up. Once such friend of Kanakuk, Jim McClary, passed away last Friday at 81 years old and in his obituary his family remembered his fondness for this place, the work, and the summers full of children. Like many others, I'm sure Jim enjoyed his 40 years of service to Kanakuk because of the feeling of being a part of something that changed lives, something that made a difference for the Kingdom of God.

So I, honor Jim and all those who have poured blood and sweat into this place over the years so that our children can learn what it means to put God First, Others Second and themselves Third. It's a good life and well done.

History repeats itself. While I sit behind my desk, the work day is just beginning all over Kanakuk land. There are more of us working a way in the offices now then when you were here Jim. But all hands are on deck getting the buildings and grounds ready for what will be the greatest summer in Kanakuk history!

Thanks for your part in Kanakuk's history. What stories do you have to tell!

I'm going to go find one of today's Kanakuk stories and share tomorrow so check back.



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Remembering Spike

8 years ago when I started working at Kanakuk, Spike White, Darnell's husband and Joe's dad, was still loving on the place and the people that make up Kanakuk Kamps. He was such a great encouragement to me for those first few years of working here. He more than anyone helped me understand the past and to see the threads that have run constant through Kanakuk over time. I took some time the other day to write these remembrances down. I didn't want them to be lost. He was a great man and a great example to all of us.

Spike and lifelong friend Jack Herschend, kayaking.

Spike would come to my office early in the morning, telling me stories, praising me and encouraging me in my work in a special way that no one had ever done or has done since. He had a special “guy” way of making you feel important, but not too important for your own britches! A fine line that few master, but he did. I called those 6:00 am moments with him my "Spike Time" and I had far to few of them before he passed away.

I cherish the fact that I was among some of the last employees hired to get the “Spike” tour of the grounds. Hearing on the trip the little nuggets about who built what and what used to be from one of the "engineers" of this place. Nuggets that I was too naive then to file away as important. I think of him every time I walk across the red walk way bridge and think about how it took someone with his personality and skills to get this place on it's feet again in the 50's.

I think my favorite thing he used to do was arrive through the mailroom door, full mail tub in hand and announce “The MAIL is here. That’s M-A-I-L!” He would spell the last slowly so that you didn’t miss it:-) He would go to the mail annex in Hollister everyday to get the mail so we would have it just a few hours earlier. He would take things to the employees at the annex and no doubt his encouraging spirit was felt there too.

His truck, as well, was a testament to his frugality and “get the job done” way he lived his life. It had things in it that he had rescued, things that others had tossed out as waste, he saw something valuable in them. That red truck was covered with bumps and bruises from his travels around Kamp and the whole community, to encourage all those he came in contact with. It communicated so much about what Kanakuk is about.

In the Spring Spike would ask me, and I’m sure many others, if I was ready for summer. I’d always respond “no” to which he would say “Well the kids are coming!” and off he’d go like there was no point in worrying about it, that God would take care of it, because the kids were coming whether we were ready or not! That lesson has served me well.

Spike and Darnell White

I know many who read this blog have been associated with Kanakuk long enough that you too have stories about Spike. Share them with us all by leaving a comment.

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The Value of a Dollar

I won't very often take space here to share things of a personal nature but, I was impressed, in the fullest sense of the word, by this man...On Sunday, June 22nd our friend Paul Ostoich died after complications from back surgery. He was 79. The things that made him standout in the 14 years I knew him and probably his whole life are these:

1. On Sunday morning, if it was your birthday he gave you a dollar, and if you were a kid and lost a tooth, he gave you a dollar, and if you could produce the tooth he'd give you two dollars.

2. He gave unselfishly of his time (and things). Usually working with his hands. He was an extremely skilled craftsman. The pocket door in my house is straight and true because of his advice and help.

3. He was always cheerful, even when it was a struggle just to walk.

4. He finished well, not slowing down until the very end.

Paul you will be missed, deeply. Thanks for the example.



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