IN HIS OWN WORDS

The Story

Read the memoir from the beginning, or choose a chapter from a particular season of life.

Begin with Chapter 1 →Preface & Author’s Note

PART I — FOUNDATIONS (1946–1961)

Chapter 1Born Into Drought and HardshipChapter 2God’s First InterventionsChapter 3Siblings, Moves, and LossChapter 4Early Musical Career

PART II — BECOMING A MAN (1962–1968)

Chapter 5Work, Struggle, and SearchingChapter 6The Navy and a New DirectionChapter 7Vietnam, Danger, and God’s Hand AgainChapter 8Coming Home and the Head‑On Collision

PART III — BUILDING A LIFE AND LOSING IT (1969–1981)

Chapter 9Reinventing Yourself Through EducationChapter 10Early Career and the First Divorce

PART IV — THE BATTLE FOR MY SONS (1982–1990)

Chapter 11The Clause, the MoveChapter 12A New Marriage, A New Home, and a New BattleChapter 13Dow’s Decline and Ben’s CaptureChapter 14The Escape and the ReturnChapter 15Kidnapping Charges and the Llano County ArrestChapter 16Courts, Bonds, and the Fight for BryanChapter 17The Boys Become Men and Have Families

PART V – FAITH, MARRIAGE, AND LOSS (1991_2000)

Chapter 18Micah’s Birth, Eight Years of Hope, and Another Loss

PART VI — REDEMPTION AND THE LOVE THAT LASTED (2001–2003)

Chapter 19Gatlinburg and God’s TimingChapter 20The Strain No One Saw ComingChapter 21Marriage, Snoring, Costa Rica, and Sudden Loss

PART VII — MY LIFE WITH TRISH (2003–2025)

Chapter 22Life with Trish