Milby Class of 1960: Charles Crider

Charles Crider . . . upon seeing Sheila's great HUMMINGBIRD photo . . . sent one of his own, commenting . . . "Here is a picture of a "Bushy-tailed Sapsucker Hummingbird" that I took in our yard in Spring. It is a little different."

When I picked myself up off the floor, I responded... "OK, Charles...I have to admit you got me on that one...and gave me a great laugh!!! I was anxiously waiting to see this 'Bushy-tailed Sapsucker Hummingbird' you caught with your camera as I waited for it to open. I am told that I really am quite gullible, and I must admit (after the fact) I should have known what was coming. I was actually trying to picture how a bird's tail could look bushy - guessed the feathers were ruffled. You do have a great sense of humor, and I can just see your sly grin as you perpetrated this hoax." Karla

Now, if you thought THAT was funny, check this out - more related photos

[ Click here to check out the post in the main section entitled "Charles and Dolly's Dobermans" to get a glimpse of their wit (VERY creative names for their furry, four-footed friends) as well as some aspects of their lifestyle. ]

Biographical Comments

In 1962 I took a ‘summer job’ at Austral Oil Company in their data processing department. The co-workers were great and at the end of the summer, convinced me to stay. In 1964, a co-worker arranged a “blind date” with Dolly and the rest is history. We were married on her birthday in 1965. We are both retired now and staying busy and having fun. Our home in Spring was built in 1973 and we still reside there among all the trees. I retired from IT in 2006. I enjoyed many phases of my job there. Throughout the years training the users and programming were my favorite parts.

We inherited a portion of my grandparent’s ranch outside of Marble Falls. In 1983 we had a cabin built and, since my father introduced me to woodworking as a little kid, I made the cabinets and finished the inside. One morning we were eating breakfast when we saw something out the window that we had never seen before or since. There were twin fawns nursing at the same time. It was really something. Click here to link to some photos of this place.

About four years ago I started making pens. My first one was made out of a Dogwood tree that had died in our yard. It has been very interesting. I have made some from a variety of woods including Walnut, Birdseye Maple and some exotic woods like Cocobolo and Kamagong. I also make them from deer horns or deer horns with bullet cases. It is a very different kind of woodworking that I really enjoy. Thanks, Charles, for your biographical information and photos. The pens look quite impressive in the photos. The pen on the left is labeled "Deer Horn and Bullet" and the one on the right is labeled "Walnut and Maple". Double click on pictures for an enlarged view. See more pen photos at the end of this page. Below is a firsthand report from someone who has actually seen and handled the pens that Charles makes. This is a previously published account of Billie Young’s visit with Charles and Dolly.

Billie Jean Trombatore Young had a wonderful experience recently, thanks to Charles and Dolly Crider. On Billie's biography page you can read how she lost her Milby yearbooks, and MANY other treasures, in a flood. She met Charles and Dolly recently to borrow Charles' annuals. The following tells about returning them after copying many pages. Billie writes: "Met Charles & Dolly Crider @ the Bluebonnet Cafe in Marble Falls this morning to give him his 3 yearbooks back, & return John Echoff's 9th Grade Book. Thanks again, guys. (John, you'll also find a surprise with yours. Charles already got his.)

For you Buffs who may not be aware of hidden talent in our class, Charles Crider makes awesome one-of-a-kind pens!! I finished my Christmas shopping "in the booth, in the back, in the corner in the light" today. He makes them out of deer horns, all different kinds of gorgeous wood, rifle bullets, pearlized & more. He made one for each of my hunter guys with deer horns & rifle bullets, with a rifle on the upper part. One was made from an ancient oak tree at his grandfather's farm. Being one of those wild Red Hatters, he made me one that's a gorgeous pearlized purple. Charles had waitresses in awe of his wares. I told him he should sell them on Ebay. We always knew Charles was a great "cut-up." Now he REALLY IS!! Karla, I suggested he send you some pictures of them." Left to right, top to bottom, these are: Cocobolo, Slimline Crushed Velvet, Cypress Knee, Slimline Deer Horn, Slimline Walnut, Deer Horn with Rifle. Double click on photos for an enlarged view. Billie's comments (from a later e-mail) sum this up, "Aren't those photos of Charles Crider's pens something else? They don't even scratch the scratch of the surface of the variety he has in that nice wooden carrying case. (He probably made that too.) I can hardly wait for Christmas so our family can receive the eight pens he made for them. Needless to say, I think his workmanship is awesome!! THINK CHRISTMAS! Love y'all bunches! Billie" Please take the time now to make a comment in response to Charles' biography. You will also enjoy reading the comments that others have left.