Our dad, Danny Leroy Gulley, was born in Kansas City, Kansas, January 31, 1945. He was one of ELEVEN children to Earnest Armenian Gulley, and Lola Melissa Belle Bratcher Gulley. His SuperMom delivered all eleven of her children at home. Dad was born in the dining room! He was the second to last child.
Like so many others, dad came from a poor family. His dad was seldom home. His mom babysat and washed other's laundry to make money to support her family.
Dad was a cute little guy! As a little boy, he had white hair and the mailman called him "Cotton Top." We have been told by dad's older siblings that when dad was a little boy he would walk around telling everybody, "I've got to find a job, so I can buy my little brother some shoes." Even then, he wanted to work hard to provide for his family. That never changed!
When dad was only 12 years old, they strapped boards to the pedals of the car, and grandma put him behind the wheel for a cross-country trip. It was dad, grandma, and his brother, Larry. Grandma never learned to drive, and we have no idea how dad figured it out so young.
Dad graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1963. After graduation dad sought a job and was hired at Southwestern Bell in January of 1964. This was a proud accomplishment! Dad was "Dan the phone man" for his entire career until he retired.
At the age of 19 dad received the blessing of his first child, Sherry. This was a treacherous time in our world with the Vietnam War. Many men were being drafted into the military. Dad chose to enlist in the Navy, and proudly served our country for four years. Dad has always loved photography, so traveling the world was a perfect opportunity for him to use his skills. We used to sit in the living room and watch slideshows of dad's adventures during the navy.
Before leaving for the Navy there was a little introduction. Boy meets girl...the odds were against them...they were so young...there was already a child...he was leaving for months to serve our country.
And so, the love story begins...
Like so many others, dad came from a poor family. His dad was seldom home. His mom babysat and washed other's laundry to make money to support her family.
Dad was a cute little guy! As a little boy, he had white hair and the mailman called him "Cotton Top." We have been told by dad's older siblings that when dad was a little boy he would walk around telling everybody, "I've got to find a job, so I can buy my little brother some shoes." Even then, he wanted to work hard to provide for his family. That never changed!
When dad was only 12 years old, they strapped boards to the pedals of the car, and grandma put him behind the wheel for a cross-country trip. It was dad, grandma, and his brother, Larry. Grandma never learned to drive, and we have no idea how dad figured it out so young.
Dad graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1963. After graduation dad sought a job and was hired at Southwestern Bell in January of 1964. This was a proud accomplishment! Dad was "Dan the phone man" for his entire career until he retired.
At the age of 19 dad received the blessing of his first child, Sherry. This was a treacherous time in our world with the Vietnam War. Many men were being drafted into the military. Dad chose to enlist in the Navy, and proudly served our country for four years. Dad has always loved photography, so traveling the world was a perfect opportunity for him to use his skills. We used to sit in the living room and watch slideshows of dad's adventures during the navy.
Before leaving for the Navy there was a little introduction. Boy meets girl...the odds were against them...they were so young...there was already a child...he was leaving for months to serve our country.
And so, the love story begins...
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