A Promise Kept

The early morning hours of January 1, 1882 were cold and dark as eleven year old Charles Carter moved behind a large pine tree. “The deer will soon show up,” thought Charles, settled into position, rifle at the ready. His father, Robert, had brought him to this place over the last four years to teach Charles how to fire his rifle and to shoot deer and rabbits for the family larder. Now Charles came by himself for the first time. He felt the closeness of his father, and a tear trickled down his cheek as he thought about his father’s funeral a few weeks ago.A Promise Kept is the story of Charles Carter, born on a farm in rural Lawrence County Alabama five years after the Civil War. He had two sisters and a pregnant mother when his father died. He became the man of the house and matured rapidly after his father’s death.His mother was concerned about the care of his sisters and the coming baby until they reached maturity. Charles promised to care of her, his two sisters and the coming baby until they married or died. His mother knew it was a sacred vow giving her great peace. Clarence Warner was born on a farm in the Texas panhandle in 1938. At the age of six his family moved to a northern Kansas farm. His years on the farm made a lasting impact on his life as he learned many lessons during the hours of working with his dad.He graduate from Emporia State University in Kansas and received a master’s degree in chemistry from Oklahoma State University. He has been a chemistry professor at Phillips university, Oklahoma Republican state chairman, regional coordinator for Ronald Reagan(1976), and State Farm Insurance agent. Clarence retired as a Colonel after thirty years in the National Guard. He and his wife, Jan, live in Norman, Oklahoma, where they are active in their church and many other organizations.