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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOscar Umphress, Jr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man who lived on both sides of the road<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I feel better today than I did yesterday when I didn\u2019t feel as good as I do today.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People who were lucky enough to know Oscar Umphress Jr. heard this saying\u2014and others just as unique\u2014on a regular basis when they encountered the dry-witted, gentle man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oscar Umphress passed away Monday at Lake Granbury Medical Center just six days away from celebrating his 96th birthday, but left behind a legacy of hard work, independence, humor and a compassion for his fellow man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last year, former Hood County News lifestyle editor Shirley Petroshus interviewed Oscar shortly before his 95th birthday. His down-to-earth, no nonsense style and unique sense of humor was evident to Petroshus. In her story, she explained that Oscar traveled to rest homes in Granbury, Glen Rose, Cleburne and Stephenville two to three times a week to volunteer his rich voice for gospel singing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I\u2019ll tell you about gospel singing as I know it,” said Oscar. “It\u2019s coming to a close cause they\u2019re not raisin\u2019 them kind of people any more. It\u2019s a different kind of singing now. It used to be they\u2019d have big singins with dinner on the grounds and a lot of groups that sang. Now there are only about three gospel singers in this county.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oscar considered himself one of the three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oscar Umphress was born in Hood County and lived here his entire life. He attended the Brushy School southwest of Granbury, but quit after the eighth grade to work. And work he did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I raised it all, what there is in this county\u2014cotton, peanuts, maize\u2014and had a few cattle I fed,” Oscar had said. “I\u2019ve done everything except stealing, but we lived happy.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the many jobs Oscar had in his lifetime was working on the old iron bridge that spanned the Brazos River on Pearl Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was a humble man, but did “admit” to his good looks when he told Petroshus that when he was a young man, he was “good lookin\u2019 with black wavy hair.” Those good looks helped Oscar win the heart and hand of his one true love, Mrytle Mitchell, who\u2014as Oscar put it\u2014was “the most beautiful woman on earth.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two married on April 9, 1935 and had six children\u2014two sons and four daughters. The family lived on Hwy 144 S. \u2014what is now South Morgan Street\u2014since 1944.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of Oscar\u2019s favorite sayings concerned his home place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I live on both sides of the road,” he\u2019d joke. “On the right side going out and the left side going back!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Growing up with Oscar for a father was a life full of fun, as daughters Linda Kay Butler and June Brooks explained to Petroshus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Whenever we\u2019d sit down to eat, he\u2019d tell us crazy stories or sing crazy songs,” said Linda Kay. “Sometimes when he\u2019d start that type of nonsense, Mama\u2019d nearly fall off her chair laughing at him.” Mrytle preceded Oscar in death in 1997.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Umphress kids worked in the fields after school. “We\u2019d be hoeing and Daddy\u2019d walk up beside us and begin telling us a silly story,” remembered June.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two sisters recalled whenever they asked to get a drink of water while working, Oscar would aggravate them by singing “Cool, Clear Water.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Up until just a few days before his death, Oscar\u2019s independence was evident in his everyday life. He drove his own car, shopped for groceries, paid his bills, went to church regularly, and met his friends for coffee at 8 each morning at a local restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oscar is survived by two sons, Gus Umphress of Benbrook and Cecil Umphress of Granbury; four daughters, Mildred Molder of Acton, Frances Bird and June Brooks of Granbury, and Linda Kay Butler of Weatherford; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Services were Thursday at First Baptist Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00a9 2000 Hood County News and HCN Online Services – All Rights Reserved<\/p>\n\n\n\n
OBITUARY<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oscar Umphress of Granbury, a farmer and rancher, died Monday, January 3, 2000 in Granbury. He was 95.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. Umphress was born January 9, 1904 in Hood County. He was a life long resident of Granbury. Mr. Umphress married Myrtle Mitchell on April 9, 1935. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Granbury. He worked at one time at the school cafeteria with his wife. Mr. Umphress also helped construct the old iron bridge and was paid 17 \u00bd cents per hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle Mitchell Umphress on October 27, 1997 and one granddaughter, Kay Umphress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He is survived by two sons, Gus Umphress of Benbrook and Cecil Umphress of Granbury; four daughters, Mildred Molder of Acton, Frances Bird and June Brooks, both of Granbury, and Linda Butler of Weatherford; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Services were Thursday, January 6, 2000 at First Baptist Church of Granbury. Burial was in Rough Creek Cemetery. Wiley Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood County News On-Line Edition, January 7, 2000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Kathy Smith, Lifestyles Editor Hood County News On-Line Edition January 8, 2000 Oscar Umphress, Jr. The man who lived on both sides of the road “I feel better today than I did yesterday when I didn\u2019t feel as good … Continue reading