Jeff Augustus "Gus" BIRD (1893-1954)

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Jeff Augustus "Gus" BIRD (1893-1954) &

Clara Myrtle GRAY-SADLER (1900-1988)

page established July 2008

Above photo: Jeff Augustus Gus BIRD (1893-1954) & Clara Myrtle GRAY-SADLER (1900-1988) wedding photo on August 7, 1917, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (possibly at the Philadelphia Navy Yard)ЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕ............ЕЕBelow: Thomas Jefferson BIRD (1861-1931) & Drusilla GAY (1868-1948) wedding photo November 28, 1883 in Hillsboro, Hill County, Texas.

Jeff Augustus Gus BIRD (1893-1954)

Clara Myrtle GRAY-SADLER (1900-1988)

(Brief Historical Sketch)

(First Published) Direct Genealogy Lineage of Thomas Jefferson Bird Sr. (1861-1931) And Drusilla Gay (1867-1948) (book, Terry L. Linton © 1987) (Linton Research Fund, Inc., Publication © 1987) (First Revision, February © 1989) (Second Revision, December, © 1991, (Third Revision, May, © 1995,) (printed in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, USA)

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Jeff Augustus BIRD (1893-1954) was the seventh son of fifth-teen children born to Thomas Jefferson BIRD (1861-1931) & Drusilla GAY (1868-1948). Jeff was born, on August 16, 1893, on his father’s farm, in Birdville, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas.

Jeff’s father, Thomas was born on born on March 10, 1861, in Waco, McLennan County, Texas and died on September 29, 1931, in Edinburg, Hidalgo County, Texas. His mother Drusilla was born on September 8, 1868, in Aquilla, Hill County, Texas and died on February 4, 1948, at 1014 East 53^rd Street, Austin Travis County, Texas.

Thomas & Drusilla had fifteen children:

Thomas Jefferson BIRD (1884–1884); Robert V. BIRD (1885–1886); Gertrude "Gertie" BIRD (1886–1912); Susie BIRD (1888–1889); Albert BIRD (1889–1908); Hugh Orlando BIRD (1890–1964); Jeff Augustus "Gus" BIRD (1893–1954); Harriet "Hattie" Melinda BIRD (1898–1990); Guy Rowland BIRD (1898–1949); Thomas Jefferson BIRD Jr., (1899–1969); John "Johnny" William BIRD (1903-1973) Baptist Pastor; Drusilla Gay BIRD (1905–1991); Annabel BIRD (1909–1910); Richard "Dick" Bruno BIRD (1910–1979); Frank Lafayette BIRD Sr. (1913-1994) Baptist Pastor

Early Life

Thomas moved his family to Fort Worth, bought a farm, and opened a grocery store on it. According to Drusilla Gay BIRD (1905-1991) Thomas’ daughter, “grew up poor Texas dirt farmer, we raised some vegetables, a little cotton, always a few chickens and most of the time a cow”. “There were no tractors, instead a horse, plow and a lot of hard work just to live from day to day”.

Gus attended and became a member of Riverside Baptist Church, at 3101 Race Street, Fort Worth, Texas. His mother and father were long time members of this church. Gus probability went to the old Birdville School, in Tarrant County, Texas.

Gus enlisted in the US Navy in 1909 at age sixteen. Thomas moved his family in 1910 in a covered wagon from Texas to Oklahoma. Their son Dick was born in Oklahoma in 1911, according to the Census and the 1920 census showed they would have moved back to Texas by 1913 because their Frank was born back in Fort Worth.

Nickname Gus

Jeff went by the nickname “Gus” alter his grandfather George Augustus "Gus" GAY (1840–1879). who had fought in the Civil War and was wounded at the Battle of Gains Mill. Also, his older brother was called “Gus” who only lived for a year, Thomas Jefferson BIRD (1885-1886).

According to the 1910 United States Federal Census: Name Guss Bird; Age in 1910, 16; Birth Date 1894; Birthplace Texas; Home in 1910 Justice Precinct 1, Tarrant, Texas, USA; Sheet Number 40a; Street, Route rural; Race White; Gender Male; Relation to Head of House Son; Marital Status Single; Father's Birthplace Texas; Mother's Birthplace Texas; Native Tongue English; Attended School yes; Able to read yes; Able to Write yes; Enumeration District Number 0090; Enumerated Year 1910; Household members: Thomas J Bird age 49 father; Drucilla Bird age 41; Hugh Bird brother age 20; Guss Bird age 16 self; Guy Bird age 14; Hattie Bird age 12 sister; Thomas Bird age 10; Johnny Bird age 6; Drucilla B Bird age 5; Gertrude Cleckler age 24 sister.

US Navy

Gus joined the Navy in 1909, at the age of sixteen. Jeff was a World War I Veteran, the war lasted from August 4, 1914, to November 11, 1918. In 1917, Jeff, according to his military records, had blue eyes, 5' foot 7" inches tall with black hair, physical build medium, weighed 160 pounds. His home address was listed as Street Address: Route 1 Box 68, Fort Worth, Texas. Gus served in the Navy for eight years reaching the rank of Bowman Mate first Class and was a gun turret chief. Gus learned his plumbing trade on board his ship.

On February 22, 1909, Gus joined the crew of USS Louisiana Battleship, a Connecticut-class battleship at Hampton Roads, Norfolk, Virginia. The USS Louisiana primarily operated along the east coast of the United States and in the Caribbean during her career. In 1908–1909, she took part in the world cruise of the Great White Fleet. A pair of trips to European waters took place in 1910 and 1911. From 1913, she began to become involved in the Mexican Revolution, as the US Navy began to send ships to protect American interests in the country. This activity culminated in the US occupation of Veracruz in April 1914. The USS Louisiana was one of the first ships to cross the Panama Canal in 1914, During World War I, Louisiana was employed as a training ship before serving as a convoy escort in late 1918. After the war ended that year, the Louisiana was used to ferry American soldiers back from France.

Marriage

Gus met Clara Myrtle GRAY-SADLER (1900-1988) at one of the weekly dances held on board the USS Louisiana, at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia. They were introduced to each other by "Al" Alfred Edward VOGEL (April 10, 1896-February 18, 1971), one of Jeff's shipmates from Brooklyn, New York. Al married Glaydes Virginia FLORA (March 8, 1903-?), on June 28, 1930. Glaydes was the niece of Clara. Clara's brother's Bruce (1899-?) and Edward GRAY (September 20, 1897-?) both worked at the Norfolk Navy Yard. Jeff was discharged from the Navy in August 1917.

Jeff married Clara Myrtle GRAY-SADLER (1900-1988), on August 7, 1917, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (possibly at the Philadelphia Navy Yard). Clara was the daughter of George Irving GRAY (1874- 1905) & Lula Virginia "Ginny" WILLIAMS, (1874- 1935) . George in 1894, married Lula Virginia "Ginny" the daughter of John WILLIAMS (1840-1943) & Sarah A. CAPPS (1846-1943), in Norfolk, Princess Anne County, Virginia.

Life after the Navy

After serving eight years in the Navy Gus became a journeyman plumber in Fort Worth. Gus & Clara moved in with his parents Thomas & Drusilla in their grocery store in Fort Worth on their farm.

Gus’s father had become a contractor building army barracks during WWI (1914–1918). Thomas, working with his sons made enough money to buy a nice strip of farmland adjacent to his farm and general store on the edge of Fort Worth. Later adding gas pumps and hired help for the farm and the store. Thomas later developed his farm and built his family homes on what is now Bird Street, Jeff Street and Grace Street. Later becoming Birdville, Fort Worth, Tarrant County Texas.

BIRD Plumbing and Heating

Gus started his own family business BIRD Plumbing and Heating, "Don't cuss call Gus".

According to the 1920 United States Federal Census: Gus J Bird, Age 26; Birth Year about 1894; Birthplace Texas; Home in 1920, Justice Precinct 1, Tarrant, Texas; Residence Date 1920; Race White; Gender Male; Relation to Head of House, Son; Marital Status Married; Father's Name Thomas J Bird; Father's Birthplace Texas; Mother's Name Drusilla Bird; Mother's Birthplace Texas; Able to Speak English, Yes; Occupation Plumber; Industry own business; Employment Field plumbing Account; Able to read Yes; Able to Write Yes; Household members: Thomas J Bird age 57, father; owner of grocery store on farm; Drusilla Bird age 51, mother; Hugh A Bird age 29, brother; Gus J Bird age 26 self; Guy R Bird age 24 brother; Thomas J Bird age 20 brother; Johnnie W Bird age 16 brother; Drusilla Bird age 14 sister; Richard Bird age 9 brother; Frank L Bird age 6; Clara M Bird age 20 wife; Guy E Bird age 1 son; Earl A Bird age 2/12 son.

Exerts from Oral Interview with Evelyn Virginia BIRD Linton

“the following quoted sentences are from her”

“In 1924, Daddy moved the family to Dallas where he had found plumbing work. Albert & Donald were born while there.”

Jeff according to the publication of the Fort Worth, Texas, City Directory, 1924, U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989, was listed as Jeff A Bird, residence Year 1924, street address Canton NW cor Bird, Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Occupation Plumber; Spouse Clara Bird.

“In 1927, we moved to Brownsville where Daddy's Mother and Father had just opened a grocery store. Daddy found work as a plumber. My sister, Margaret, was born in Harlingan, on April 17, 1928. I remember that the whole family went to a lake to swim and fish for the weekend. The kids camped out in "the back of the pickup truck"; while mom and dad slept in the car.”

“Daddy moved us to Galveston for a while, in 1928, for work. I remember all of us going to a beach to swim and play in the Gulf of Mexico.”

“In 1929, Daddy found work in Austin. There I attended Stephan F. Austin Elementary School, on Rio Grande Street, for grades first through third (1929-1931). I remember taking part in the May Pole Dance in either the 2nd or 3rd grade. This was the depression years and Daddy could not find work as a plumber, so he took a job as a laborer doing odd jobs for the city and he was paid 25 cents/day. The Salvation Army provided us with a Thanksgiving dinner in 1930. In early summer of 1931, we had to move out of our city house into an old house in the country because we did not have money to pay the rent. This old house had no indoor plumbing and no electricity. Momma cooked over an open fireplace in the house. Kerosene lanterns and candles were used for lighting. We kids had to bring buckets of water from the nearby creek every day. The Salvation Army provided us with clothes.”

In 1930, according to the Austin, Texas, City Directory, 1930, U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989: Name Jeff A Bird; Residence Year 1930, Street Address 2317 Lafayette; Residence Place Austin, Texas, USA; Occupation, Plumber; Spouse Clara Bird

According to the 1930 United States Federal Census: Gus’s parents Thomas age 69 & Drucilla lived on Buchers Street San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas; Ward of City 6; Block 3030; House Number 1226; Dwelling Number 76; Family Number 91; Home Owned or Rented, rented; Home Value $21.00; Radio Set, no; Age at First Marriage 22; Attending School No; Able to Read and Write Yes; Father's Birthplace North Carolina; Mother's Birthplace South Carolina; Able to Speak English Yes; Occupation Salesman; Industry Novelties; Class of Worker Wage; Employment Yes; Household members: Thos J Bird age 69 Head of House; Drucilla Bird 61 wife keeping house; Richard Bird age 19 son; Frank Bird age 17; Thos J Gay age 56 brother-in-law. Thomas was listed as not being a veteran.

On September 29, 1931, Gus’s father died at age 70, in the Edinburg Hospital, Hidalgo County, Texas. They had returned to their grocery store in Hidalgo. Thomas was buried on October 3, 1931, in the Memorial Lawn Section of Mount Olivet Cemetery, in Fort Worth, Texas.

“In 1932, I remember Momma having a nervous breakdown due to the "hard living conditions" out in the country. Daddy decided to drive Momma back to her family home in Norfolk, Virginia to help her to recover. To help pay for the trip, Daddy received a "lump sum pension" payment from the government for being a World War I veteran. So, all ten of us kids went to live with Uncle Johnny (Daddy's brother) in Austin for several months. Then, it was decided that Uncle Johnny would take all of us kids (except baby brother Buster) up to Fort Worth to live with our grandmother, Drucella Gay Bird, and Uncle Frank (19 yrs old). They lived in the Oakhurst district of Fort Worth on Buff Street. Baby Buster (Carlton) was to stay with Aunt Lilly in Austin for a while. During the driving trip to Fort Worth, our dog "trixie" ran away and couldn't be found. I attended Oakhurst Elementary school at this time (1932 & 1933).”

“Momma & Daddy returned from their Virginia trip after several months (I don't remember the month). Then we all moved into a house on Race Street in the Riverside district of Ft. Worth. I attended Riverside Elementary School. Sometime in 1933, we had to move into a house on Channault Street in Riverside because Daddy couldn't pay the rent. The twins, Francis & Franklin (Cissy & Buddy) were born at this time. And then later that year, we had to move into a 2nd house on Channault Street. I think that we even had to move again into a house on Paradise Street for several months.”

“In 1935, we moved into a house back on Race Street, in the Riverside district of Fort Worth. I remember walking many times from our house to the apartment of my brother Eddie and his wife Tommie there on Race Street. Tommie had a sewing machine that I learned to use to make school clothes for myself and the kids.”

“Sometime in 1937, we moved into Daddy's newly finished plumbing company's workshop (Bird Plumbing & Heating) located on Blandin Street. The warehouse-like workshop was divided into five rooms. The boys (Earl, Snookum, Albert, Buster, Donald, & Buddy) shared a room with Momma & Daddy. The girls (me, Sister, Potsy, Margaret, Cissy, & Mary) shared a separate room. I learned to ride a bicycle there in the shop area. I remember that we used to play dominos and football there also. The family lived there until sometime in 1944. I started attending Riverside High School about that time.”

“Sometime in 1939, Daddy was in a very bad car accident. I think it was on a weekend, and he was taking Uncle Tom (Thomas Jefferson Bird), my brothers Albert & Donald, and a family friend (Pete Hollingsworth) frog hunting. I think an on-coming car lost control and swerved towards them forcing Daddy to steer off the road (I don't remember the road's name) and hitting a concrete barrier. The impact forced the car's steering wheel into Daddy's chest. Uncle Tom suffered a broken leg; Pete Hollingsworth was killed instantly; Albert & Donald, who were in the back seat, were thrown out of the car and into a field and got wrapped in barbed wire. Daddy was taken to a hospital in Fort Worth I don't remember the name. He was placed in an "iron lung" to help him to breathe---we were told that he was the first patient in Fort. Worth to be on one. That is when Earl (Mom's older brother) had to support the family for a while by running the family business (BIRD Plumbing and Heating, "Don't cuss call Gus").”

Gus’s mother Drusilla who was living with her son Frank Bird, died on February 4, 1948, at 1014 East 53rd Street, Austin Travis County, Texas. Drusilla was buried on February 6, 1948, in the David Crockett Section of Mount Olivet Cemetery, Fort Worth, Texas.

Gus died on June 12, 1954, in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, at age 60. Gus was buried on June 15, 1954, in the Blue Bonnet Garden Section of Mount Olivet Cemetery, Fort Worth, Texas.

Clara died on December 27, 1988, in Haltom City Central Hospital, Haltom City, Tarrant County, Texas, at age 88. Clara was buried next to her husband, on December 31, 1988, in the Blue Bonnet Garden Section, of Mount Olivet Cemetery, Fort Worth, Texas.

Jeff and Clara had sixteen Children:

Jeff Augustus УGusФ BIRD (1893-1954) & Clara Myrtle GRAY-SADLER Bird (1900-1988) Christmas 1953, the only known photo with all of their 16 children: Top row from left to right: David Brewer BIRD (1938-1997); Donald Milton BIRD (1926-1999); Guy Edward BIRD (1918-1957); Albert Irvin BIRD (1925-2008); Franklin Delano BIRD (1934-2016); Jeff Augustus BIRD Jr., (1923-2015); Earl Alford (1919-1991); Carlton Norris BIRD (1931-2002); Bottom Row Left to Right: Iva Lee BIRD Bryant (1930-1993); Evelyn Virginia BIRD Linton (1922-2012); Patricia Margie BIRD Bronsted (1941); Beatrice Jean BIRD Jenson (1942); Jeff Augustus Bird (1893-1954); Clara Myrtle GRAY-SADLER Bird (1900-1988); Margaret Druslla BIRD Norwood (1928); Frances Dell BIRD Shivers (1934-2014) Mary Louise BIRD Gill (1936); Myrtle Elizabeth BIRD Dougall Holzapel (1921-1996)

Jeff and Clara had sixteen Children:

i Guy Edward "Eddie" BIRD (1918-1957) was born on October 8, 1918, in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Eddie married Emmie Marie "Tommy" BROWN on November 19, 1937, in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas. Eddie was a World War II US Navy veteran. Eddie was killed on May 29, 1957, in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, at age 38. He was buried after May 29, 1957, in Bedford Cemetery, Tarrant County, Texas. Tommy died on August 20, 2011, in Hamilton, Hamilton County, Texas.

ii. Earl Alford BIRD (1919-1991)was born on October 29, 1919 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Earl was a World War II US Army Veteran. Earl married Nancy Louise JESSUP on December 19, 1954, in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Earl died on November 29, 1991, in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. at age 72, and cremated, on December 3, 1991, in Fort Worth.

iii. Myrtle Elizabeth BIRD (1921-1996) was born on March 22, 1921, in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Myrtle first married Lt. Colonel Robert Earl DOUGALL Jr. (d. July 4, 1976) on December 2, 1949, in Buffalo, New York. Myrtle next married Colonel William Jack HOLZAPFEL Jr. (d. February 26, 1983) on August 31, 1959, in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Myrtle died on December 5, 1996, in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. at age 75. On December 6, 1996, her body was donated to science in Hurst, Tarrant County Texas.

iv. Evelyn Virginia "Polly" BIR (1922-2012)was born on May 17, 1922 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Evelyn married Kirk Louis LINTON (1914-1987) on November 11 , 1944, in Washington, District of Columbia. Kirk was a railroad engineer for the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad. Kirk died on July 18, 1987, age 73, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Evelyn died on November 4, 2012, age 90, in North Richland Hills, Tarrant County, Texas. Both are buried in the Mount Comfort Cemetery, Mount Eagle Section, Fairfax County, Virginia.

v. J. A. "Jeff Augustus" "Snookum" "Jimmie" BIRD (1923-2015)was born on December 2, 1923 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. According to his birth certificate, his name is J. A. Bird. He had it legally changed to Jeff Augustus Bird, in order to join the US Navy. He is a World War II US Navy Seabee Veteran. He married Marjorie Blanchard LAFOREST (1927-2010) on June 27, 1944, in Hawthorne, Los Angeles County, California. Marjorie was the daughter of Joseph Aureal LAFOREST (1891–1962) & Sarah Myrtle BLANCHARD (1897–1963). Margorie was born on 12, 1927 in Hawthorne, Los Angeles County, California and died on February 11, 2010, in Hawthorne, Los Angeles County, California. Snookum died on January 9, 2015 in Hawthorne, Los Angeles County, California.

vi. Albert Irvin BIRD (1925-2008)was born on March 31, 1925 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas. Albert was a Merchant Marines Veteran, World War II and Korean War US Army Veteran. Albert married Vera Lee MARTIN on June 26, 1950, in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Vera was the daughter of James Oscar MARTIN (1877–1960) & Fannie Mable ANDERSON (1888–1976). Albert died on October 10, 2008, in Burleston, Tarrant County, Texas, at age 83. He was buried on October 15, 2008, in the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas County, Texas. Vera died on July 3, 2024, in Johnson County, Texas. Both are buried at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

vii. Donald Milton BIRD (1926-1999) was born on December 9, 1926 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas. Donald was World War II and Korean War retired US Army Veteran. Donald married Cletha Faye SMITH (1934-2011) on July 15, 1961, in Hope, Bartholomew County, Indiana. Faye was the daughter of Cecil Alman SMITH (1903–1971) & Crystal Lucille PIERCE (1910–1980). Donald died on November 17, 1999, in Columbus, Bartholomew County, Indiana, at age 72. Faye died in 2011, age 77 and both are buried in the Garland Brook Cemetery, Columbus, Indiana.

viii. Margaret Drusilla BIRD (1928-2019) was born on April 17, 1928 in Harlingan, Cameron County, Texas. Margaret married Otha L. "Sammie" NORWOOD (July 29, 1911- February 27, 1992) on October 3, 1946, in Tarrant County, Texas. Margaret died on January 7, 2019, in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas.

ix. Iva Lee BIRD (1930-1993)was born on May 20, 1930 in Austin, Travis County, Texas. Iva Lee married Richard Frank BRYANT (July 28, 1928-April 30, 1999) on October 6, 1955, in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Iva Lee died on November 25, 1993, in Bedford, Tarrant County, Texas, at age 63 and was buried in the Mount Olivet Cemetery, Fort Worth, Texas. Richard died on April 30, 1999, in Bedford, Tarrant County, Texas. Both are buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

x. Carlton Norris "Buster" BIRD (1931-2002)was born on November 21, 1931, in Austin, Travis County, Texas. Carlton was a US Marine Korean War Veteran. Carlton married Bettye June GAYLER on May 17, 1963, in Weatherford, Parker County, Texas. Carlton died on October 1, 2002, in Hurst, Tarrant County, Texas. at age 70, and was buried in the Green Acres Memorial Park, Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas.

xi. Franklin Delano "Buddy" BIRD (1934-2016) was born on January 8, 1934 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Franklin was a US Airforce Veteran. Franklin married Rita Aline PULLIAM, on March 28, 1958, in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Rita was the daughter of Nicholas James PULLIAM (1882–1968) & Ella Fay "Fae" RUSSELL (1912–1995). Rita died on January 30, 2014, in Haltom City, Tarrant County, Texas. Buddy died on January 19, 2016, in Haltom City, Tarrant County, Texas.

xii. Frances Dell BIRD (1934-2014) was born on January 8, 1934 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. On September 4, 1953, Frances married Jeroll Dean SHIVERS (March 9, 1929 - August 30, 2008), in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Frances died on June 2, 2014 in South Lake, Tarrant County, Texas.

xiii. Mary Louise BIRD was born on February 28, 1936 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Mary married Doctor Jimmie Eugene GILL, on September 10, 1960, in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas.

xiv. David Brewer BIRD (1938-1997) was born on February 26, 1938 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. David married Glenda Beatrice WOODS, on November 21, 1965, in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Glenda was the daughter of Roy Wesley WOODS (1914–1990) & Ruby Mildred ALLAN (1915–1988). David died on July 4, 1997, in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, at age 59. Glenda died in 2022 in Fort Worth. Both were buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Fort Worth, Texas.

vv.. Patricia "Pat" Marjorie BIRD (1941-2023was born on January 30, 1941 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Patricia married Gilbert Walton “Walt” BRONSTAD on February 24, 1961, in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Walt is the son Clyde Pernell BRONSTAD (1896–1989) & Louise Myrtle WALTON (1908–1989). Pat died in 2023 in Tennessee.

xvi. Beatrice "Betty" Jean BIRD was born on August 28, 1942 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Betty married John Harold JENSEN on September 1, 1962, in Texas.

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