My father and mother were laid to rest together on March 18, 2010, at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence, Kansas. They are next to my father's mother, Elsie May Madden Backus, who passed on when my dad was eight years old. Many of Dad's relatives on both the Madden and Backus sides of the family are buried there, including his grandparents and great grandparents.

We were able to locate the site of the Madden farm, a beautiful piece of land

My father and mother were laid to rest together on March 18, 2010, at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence, Kansas. They are next to my father's mother, Elsie May Madden Backus, who passed on when my dad was eight years old. Many of Dad's relatives on both the Madden and Backus sides of the family are buried there, including his grandparents and great grandparents.

We were able to locate the site of the Madden farm, a beautiful piece of land where the Elk and Verdigris rivers meet and where Dad spent so many wonderful times as a child. We climbed the stairs of the Court House where my grandparents, Harvey and Elsie Backus, and their little boy Carl lived while his father was sheriff. Though the exterior had been changed over the years, the interior was the same as it was when Dad played there.

I know that is where my mother and father wanted to be, together.

Happy 1st Birthday in Heaven, Uncle Carl! I'm sure you and Aunt Florence are having a wonderful celebration.

Carl Leroy Backus, 95, passed away in Dallas, Texas, on November 1, 2009, following a stroke. Prior to the stroke he had continued to live independently in Dallas, where he had moved following the death of his beloved wife, Florence, in Abilene, Texas. born on April 22, 1914, on a farm in Independence, Kansas, Carl was a member of the "greatest generation." He experienced the Great Depression firsthand, worked in radio during its earliest days, and served in the U.S.

Carl Leroy Backus, 95, passed away in Dallas, Texas, on November 1, 2009, following a stroke. Prior to the stroke he had continued to live independently in Dallas, where he had moved following the death of his beloved wife, Florence, in Abilene, Texas. born on April 22, 1914, on a farm in Independence, Kansas, Carl was a member of the "greatest generation." He experienced the Great Depression firsthand, worked in radio during its earliest days, and served in the U.S. Army Signal corps during World War II.

Following the death of his mother, Elsie May Madden, when he was only eight, Carl had continued to live in Independence with his father, Harvey Backus, both sets of grandparents, and several aunts. Carl subsequently left Independence to join his father in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where he attended high school and, among other jobs, worked as a cabin boy on the SS Christopher Columbus on Lake Michigan. He later lived in Chicago and Geneva, Illinois, but his emotional ties to Independence endured throughout his life.

While he was still a boy, the gift of one of the country's first radios from an aunt to his grandmother sparked an interest that would eventually lead to his study of technology, a career with Western Electric, and supervision of the installation of the first cross-country microwave system, which carried network television throughout the country.

In 1942, he married Florence Lewis, whom he met while both were working in Chicago. Florence and Carl, their daughter, Sharon, and son, Gary, lived in Geneva, Illinois, for many years. Carl was active in the Masons and Shrine and became an accomplished amateur photographer. Following retirement, he enjoyed traveling the country full time with Florence in their Airstream trailer before taking up residence in Abilene, Texas. He is survived by his daughter, Sharon Sumner, of Dallas; granddaughters Ashley Wojan of Prosper, Texas, and Natalie Backus of West Linn, Oregon; and great granddaughter Madison Wojan of Prosper, Texas. His son, Gary Backus, preceded him in death.

Written by: Sharon Backus Sumner (Daughter)

When my parents divorced when I was seven, I saw my Grandfather while on my first visit to see my father in Galveston Texas. I did not know that this would be the last time I would see him, and I was still too young to comprehend the idea of my newly changing family dynamic. I figured he was someone I would always see; I took him for granted, as children often do.

As I grew into a teenager, and after

When my parents divorced when I was seven, I saw my Grandfather while on my first visit to see my father in Galveston Texas. I did not know that this would be the last time I would see him, and I was still too young to comprehend the idea of my newly changing family dynamic. I figured he was someone I would always see; I took him for granted, as children often do.

As I grew into a teenager, and after years without contact from my father, I was trying hard enough to fit in with my mother’s side of the family . I felt like the proverbial black sheep, becoming interested in different religions, philosophy, and other things that didn’t interest them. During this time I tried to shrug off my grandparents in Texas. They were somehow painful reminders of a side of the family that was removed from me. I didn’t “belong” on my mom’s side of the family- how could they possibly accept me?

Yet my Grandfather was persistent. Every holiday there was a card. Every birthday was observed. And, so precious to a teenager, he actually paid attention to my interests. If I mentioned enjoying a Shakespeare play in a Christmas card, suddenly entire volumes of the bard’s plays would arrive in the mail. When I got my first job working with a photographer dozens of photography manuals arrived at my door.

As I grew into adulthood I realized that he was not only just paying attention and being the doting Grandfather with his gifts. The books that would arrive were far too specific- selected by someone who actually knew the subject. For the first time ever, I sensed that I had a real connection to a relative. I started to write him as often as I could, sharing with him everything I never felt like I could share with most of my family.

He would write me back with wonderful letters, and fill any available space in the envelopes with newspaper clippings he found interesting and relevant. Out of the blue would arrive pages of family genealogy, (which he meticulously researched over many years) pictures he copied and scanned on his computer, (that he learned to use more effectively and still much later in life than most people!) and, most importantly, wonderful stories about the life he and my Grandmother led together.

It in these last few years, when I could see the change in his amazing penmanship slowly become shaky, he would often write to me about how much he missed my Grandmother. I was selfish- I didn’t want him to go. This is such a bittersweet thing to type this out, but I do it with the knowledge that he is with her again and happy, and his time in my life impacted me in ways I am still understanding.

My Grandfather, Carl L. Backus, who I had last seen when I was seven years old, managed to inspire me, accept me, and teach me more about family, love, and myself, than anyone I have met since.

I remember both Ashley's Grandparents from my son and Ashley's wedding 15 years ago yesterday and they were so happy and enjoyed seeing the celebration of their Ashley's union in matrimony...My mother was alive as well and I have pictures of the 3 of them and the joy on their faces at that event. May God grant peace comfort and joy in the memories you hold dear to your heart.

I am Blessed to know Uncle Carl by his emails which I grew to cherish! What a joy to have known him this short time here on earth. I was devastated when I heard he had passed and no more emails came. Aunt Florence I'm sure is so glad to be with him again! I am thankful that we all got to share him in these years before he went home to be with his beloved. Uncle carl was such

I am Blessed to know Uncle Carl by his emails which I grew to cherish! What a joy to have known him this short time here on earth. I was devastated when I heard he had passed and no more emails came. Aunt Florence I'm sure is so glad to be with him again! I am thankful that we all got to share him in these years before he went home to be with his beloved. Uncle carl was such an intelligent man. I was so impressed at his ability to be on top of the electronic age and be so prolific and engaging to each of us sharing the truth in love. I still have his email in my address book and miss his emails.
Here is one of his emails back to me:
Carol, thank you very much!!! What a surprise!!! This is the 94 birthday for both
Florence and I and 66 years since our marriage. She is greatly missed in all ways
including her cooking. Love, Carl.
Isnt this adorable!
You got to love a man like that!
I'm Looking forward to seeing both of them in Heaven a Love story in Heaven!
See you in Heaven Uncle carl and Aunt Florence for the Big Family Reunion!
Love you
Carol

My grandpa was the most wonderful man I've ever known. His love and devotion to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchild was absolutely incredible. He loved my grandmother the way I hope to be loved to the end of time. His eyes would sparkle when he spoke of her. His devotion to my mother, Sharon, was evident in everything he did and said. They became even closer, if that was even possible, in the last 10 years of his

My grandpa was the most wonderful man I've ever known. His love and devotion to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchild was absolutely incredible. He loved my grandmother the way I hope to be loved to the end of time. His eyes would sparkle when he spoke of her. His devotion to my mother, Sharon, was evident in everything he did and said. They became even closer, if that was even possible, in the last 10 years of his life. He meant everything to her and she meant everything to him.

He was so proud to have a great grandaughter, Madison. My daughter called him Pa and was always very excited when she got to see him. His eyes lit up whenever he saw her. I do believe they had a special bond even though they were 86 years apart in age. I am truly blessed that my daughter got to see what a wonderful man her great grandpa was.

He and my grandmother, Florence, will live in my heart forever. I am very thankful that they are back together again. He missed her so very much since her passing in 2000. There will forever be a hole in my heart that his smile and presence once filled. I will miss his incredible stories of growing up and how he met my grandma.

Carl Backus, will be missed more than he could ever have imagined!

I love you grandpa!!!

Ashley

Uncle Carl was a wonderful person. His and Aunt Florence's love for each other was heartwarming. I admired him greatly for his devotion to her through her illness.

He once sent me a tiny candy box containing some kind of cockleburrs. Told me she would bring those out, asking people if they'd ever seen Porcupine eggs. Sounded like the type of joke her sister Kate, my grandmother, would play .

Uncle Carl was an inspiration. He didn't let his

Uncle Carl was a wonderful person. His and Aunt Florence's love for each other was heartwarming. I admired him greatly for his devotion to her through her illness.

He once sent me a tiny candy box containing some kind of cockleburrs. Told me she would bring those out, asking people if they'd ever seen Porcupine eggs. Sounded like the type of joke her sister Kate, my grandmother, would play .

Uncle Carl was an inspiration. He didn't let his advancing years slow him down much. He accepted it, frequently referring to himself as "The Old Geezer", but his mind stayed keen and he was determined to do the things he wanted to do. I talk to people much younger every day, who say they're "too old to learn a computer" but that didn't stop him. He was on his PC, emailing, searching for things of interest, staying informed of current events. He made a trip to his hometown in Kansas in about 2002 and stopped here to visit. There he was, in his late 80's, driving from Texas to Kansas and back through Arkansas by himself, with no apparent apprehension at all.

Although all of us will miss him, Uncle Carl missed Aunt Florence terribly and I believe he would've willingly followed her years ago, but God must have left him here to light up the lives of others. I, for one, am grateful to have had that time to get to know him better. It's comforting to picture them once again happily together.

So glad to see this page for Uncle Carl. What a wonderful man as I have ever met.
Right now, Im feeling how BLESSED I have been to have known both him and my Aunt Florence.
She was my Grandmother (Kate) youngest sister of twelve siblings.
Uncle Carl was her devoted husband who she cherished as well as he did her. You just don't find that too often these days. They were for sure the "soul mates" we all look for and

So glad to see this page for Uncle Carl. What a wonderful man as I have ever met.
Right now, Im feeling how BLESSED I have been to have known both him and my Aunt Florence.
She was my Grandmother (Kate) youngest sister of twelve siblings.
Uncle Carl was her devoted husband who she cherished as well as he did her. You just don't find that too often these days. They were for sure the "soul mates" we all look for and rarely find.
As a child I remember them both coming to California to visit us. But, in those days children were not to be underfoot , so to speak so I really didn't get to know them as well as I wish to have.
My mother was very close to Aunt Florence when she was a young girl as they were closer in age so I do remember a few of the stories.
I didn't get to know Uncle Carl until much later after Aunt Florence passed away. We started co-responding through mail after he saw the caligraphy on the outside of the envelope of a card I sent and commented how he liked it.
I would write him letters and he always answered them. Both he and Aunt Florence were such good writers.
I know now how much he missed his dearest friend and traveling companion. How he adored her. One of my greatest treasures is the book of their life "Echos From The Hills" that Florence wrote. I hope you all have a copy to read and read again as I have.
The qualities of a man like Uncle Carl are rare. A true gentleman and scholar . The generations of yesteryear coming to an end Im afraid. So, if your life has been touched by one or more of them as mine has... CHERISH the touch.
Maybe that will be the name of the next book written so we can teach our children, grandchildren and maybe even nieces (like myself) and nephews from their example.
So, to my Uncle Carl and Aunt Florence I will quote the words from a song we've all heard. "Go rest high on that mountain".
You will be sorely missed but never forgotten by those whos life you have"touched".
For those of us who remain behind a little longer , keep that torch risen high to be easily seen by the next generations just as GOD has left for us in His Word. (John 3:16-17)
To Sharon and your family, be comforted in the thoughts of us all who loved them.

I'm a friend of the family. I met Carl at Linda's house one day around, I think, 2002. We had a visit of two or three hours. I was enthralled and fascinated as he told some of his life story. I remember he said that he had been an electrical engineer, working for some company such as General Electric before WW2. Then he was a member of OSS (Office of Strategic something,) the forerunner of the CIA. I'm so sorry

I'm a friend of the family. I met Carl at Linda's house one day around, I think, 2002. We had a visit of two or three hours. I was enthralled and fascinated as he told some of his life story. I remember he said that he had been an electrical engineer, working for some company such as General Electric before WW2. Then he was a member of OSS (Office of Strategic something,) the forerunner of the CIA. I'm so sorry I can't recall the details of his wonderful adventures. Someone should have interviewed him on video or written his story down. Did he write any of it himself? We'd like to know. He was an extremely intelligent and good man.
When he was leaving, we walked him out to his car. He pointed to a realistic looking plastic snake on the back seat. He said it was to deter theft. He was just so interesting and unusual.

I have asked myself many times, why do we wait until a friend or relative passes on to want to visit with them more, and interview them regarding their lives?