My dad, Leslie Hilton Shadwell, was born in 1922 at the beginning of the Roaring Twenties and came of age during the great Depression. The last of six children, he was what was affectionately known as a “change of life baby:” Well loved and yet never spoiled. A classic Libra, he was slow to anger, quick to forgive, unassuming and his word was his bond.
Will Rogers may have ‘never met a man he didn’t like’ but I can honestly say that I never met a man, woman or child who didn’t like my dad. Everyone was drawn in by his quiet intelligence and delighted by his dry wit.
At Dad’s funeral many people were surprised to learn that he was a Purple Heart recipient for injuries received during the invasion of Iwo Jima.
Although he had every right to be proud of this service to his country he would be the last one to tell you about it.
I miss him every single day.
Happy Fathers Day to all of the wonderful dads here on Activerain!
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