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By Patrick Okey
(Editor's Note: The author of this story, Patrick Okey, is my first cousin. I thought
Empower readers would be interested in this delightful story of history and seeds of
success. It is actually an excerpt from a letter recently received from Patrick, who
currently works in the healthcare administration profession in California.)
Yes, it was my grandfather, Homer O. Okey (of White & Okey) that built the old (Montrose)
courthouse. He also built many of the other commercial buildings in Montrose along with many of
the local residences of the time. They also built the town's first hospital, where I think you even
worked!
Dad grew up in a house at 510 Selig Ave. in Montrose. Dad was back visiting his sister Jane (Miller)
in Grand Junction about three years ago and stopped by the old Okey homestead in Montrose. He
reported two things. The house had been nicely remodeled and was occupied by the mayor of
Montrose; and two, the black walnut tree he planted in the back yard as a youth had turned into a
beautiful tree and was doing well.
He has told the "tree story" to me and my kids on several occasions, trying to illustrate different
messages. When dad was 12 or 13, Judge Jessie Bell lived in the house across the street from him.
The Judge had a row of black walnut trees against the back of his property. He talked my dad into
making an investment in his future by taking some of the nuts and planting them in Dad's back yard.
Only one of the many nuts germinated and grew into a tree. While the messages are all "situational"
and easily embellished, some of the more notable concepts relayed included the need to try more
than once, it takes time to reap the benefits of anything good, an illustration of the need (and ease)
of investing in yourself. The list goes on and is very applicable to parables for young people to learn
and grow by. I know I did. (end)
A Proverb: A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know
they shall never sit in.
(Editor's Note: The author of this story, Patrick Okey, is my first cousin. I thought
Empower readers would be interested in this delightful story of history and seeds of
success. It is actually an excerpt from a letter recently received from Patrick, who
currently works in the healthcare administration profession in California.)
Yes, it was my grandfather, Homer O. Okey (of White & Okey) that built the old (Montrose)
courthouse. He also built many of the other commercial buildings in Montrose along with many of
the local residences of the time. They also built the town's first hospital, where I think you even
worked!
Dad grew up in a house at 510 Selig Ave. in Montrose. Dad was back visiting his sister Jane (Miller)
in Grand Junction about three years ago and stopped by the old Okey homestead in Montrose. He
reported two things. The house had been nicely remodeled and was occupied by the mayor of
Montrose; and two, the black walnut tree he planted in the back yard as a youth had turned into a
beautiful tree and was doing well.
He has told the "tree story" to me and my kids on several occasions, trying to illustrate different
messages. When dad was 12 or 13, Judge Jessie Bell lived in the house across the street from him.
The Judge had a row of black walnut trees against the back of his property. He talked my dad into
making an investment in his future by taking some of the nuts and planting them in Dad's back yard.
Only one of the many nuts germinated and grew into a tree. While the messages are all "situational"
and easily embellished, some of the more notable concepts relayed included the need to try more
than once, it takes time to reap the benefits of anything good, an illustration of the need (and ease)
of investing in yourself. The list goes on and is very applicable to parables for young people to learn
and grow by. I know I did. (end)
A Proverb: A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know
they shall never sit in.
Uncle Homer (left) and his City of Montrose, Colorado
memorial bench in Centennial Plaza. The bench photo was
taken in December of 2007.
memorial bench in Centennial Plaza. The bench photo was
taken in December of 2007.