Born and raised in Alton, Missouri, Ray grew up in humble beginnings during a time when hard work and family were central to daily life. “He was born at home and grew up with oil lamps and wood stoves — no electricity,” Jodi shared. “They farmed, raised hogs and sheep, sold corn, milo, milk, and…

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Devin Larzelere grew up in the small, rural town of Lily, Wisconsin, in a close-knit family. He was the middle child, with three older brothers and three younger sisters. As a young boy, he enjoyed playing basketball and football, as well as spending time in the woods. His upbringing was also influenced by military service,…

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Daniel Smith was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the youngest of eight children in a family of four boys and four girls. Being the baby of the family, he admits with a laugh that he was a “mama’s boy.” Growing up, Smith enjoyed playing sports, including baseball, football, and basketball, and worked various odd…

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Jesse Ard was born on October 23, 1922, in Wilson, Louisiana. He grew up with his brother, Tom, and his sister, Frances. After losing their father at a young age, Jesse, as the oldest child, took on the role of a father figure to his siblings, quickly learning the values of leadership and responsibility—qualities that…

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Robert Stephenson was born in Chicago on June 14, 1925, as the third of four children in his family, with two older brothers and a younger sister. When he was a young boy, his family moved to Moline, Illinois. There, his father purchased a house, but they lost it during the Great Depression. The family…

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Elmus Miller Jr. was born in Wellston, Missouri, in 1940. Shortly before his second birthday, his parents divorced, and he moved to Arkansas, where he lived with his grandparents. His family worked on farms, pulling corn and picking cotton, and would often relocate in southeastern Missouri and parts of Arkansas for work. As a child, he enjoyed…

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JT Stewart was born in Turkey, Texas, in 1933, but he grew up in the small town of Levelland. in the Texas Panhandle. Due to his red hair, he was nicknamed “Red” throughout his life. Stewart’s childhood was characterized by hard work and perseverance while living on a cotton farm located seven miles outside of…

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Born in 1942 as the son of an Italian immigrant, Balletto grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. His father was from Sicily, and his mother was from Ohio. After graduating from John Adams High School, he became interested in cars. He started building and racing cars on the track at Dragway 42 in Ohio. He described…

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Hayes was born and raised in a small farming town in Iowa as the youngest of four children, with two older sisters and one older brother. He spent his childhood playing in the fields and has fond memories of getting lost in the woods for hours while hunting with his dog. Helping out in his…

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Ronald H. Cox was born in January 1943 and raised in a middle-class family in the Saint Louis area. As the oldest of three children, Cox experienced a typical middle-class upbringing. He fondly recalls growing up with fun memories of boating, family vacations, and participating in activities typical of middle-class families. Due to his mother’s…

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