Posted on 04/22/2016 12:41:38 PM PDT by Kaslin
You might think 97-year-old Ralph Kimball of Murray, Utah, would be more careful with his hair. Instead, this World War II veteran and two-time Purple Heart recipient says with a sly chuckle, “I trust it to a kid.”
That “kid″ is 91-year-old Wayne Chidester of Springville, Utah. Chidester is also a World War II veteran, and in the age of social media and digital relationships, their lengthy, loyal friendship is refreshing.
Approximately once a month for more than 30 years, Kimball has visited Chidester’s barber’s chair for what he calls “the perfect haircut″ and a reminder of what matters most in the world.
When the two friends are together and Chidester’s scissors work their magic, observers must marvel at the nearly 200 combined years of life experience.
“I first met Wayne back when I was young, in my early 60s,” Kimball told me during a recent interview. “Every Saturday, he still drives from Springville up to Real Barbers in Midvale. There is no one better. I’d recommend him to anyone who wants a perfect haircut.”
“He said that?” Chidester asked when he heard of his friend’s recommendation. “He is such a gentleman.”
The two men have experienced everything over more than 350 haircuts. They’ve rejoiced in their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they’ve mourned the loss of their beloved wives. Chidester recently said goodbye to Montez, his high school sweetheart and bride of more than 67 years. Kimball’s wife of 63 years, Marie, has been gone since 2004. He later married widow Beverly Stuznegger, whom he calls “a beauty and a gem.”
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
My Father and two of his Brothers in arms kept up with each other until they either died or were unable to write.
After one died, his widow kept up but then she eventually passed on too.
Daddy went into a nursing home when he was 89. He got a letter from the other one telling Daddy that he was going blind. I wrote him back and told him Daddy was in a nursing home.
I never heard back. Probably he either died or was incapable of writing.
Awwwwwww.
What a great story. Classy, grateful, loyal people like that seem to be going the way of the dinosaur, sadly.
Reminds me of the time of Norman Rockwell when people were civil and friendships were cherished..............
Will times like these ever come back? I doubt it :(
Lovely story. Thank you for posting it.
Doing the math.....
(How much later?)
He was at least 85.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.