Yes, I'm From Enid

By Curtis D. Tucker, Enid Buzz | Wednesday, June 1, 2016
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ENID, Okla. - EnidBuzz.com began as a blog about my hometown in 2005. It originally was a place where I could share my thoughts on growing up in Enid, talk about the good old days and try to explain to anyone that would listen, just why Enid is such a fantastic city.
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I'm asked all of the time if I'm from Enid and I normally give the yes and no answer. I was not born in Enid but I'm from Enid. My mom's side of the family settled in Enid in 1900 owning a farm west of town off of Garriott. Most all of my family members have been living in Enid ever since. Most all of my relatives are buried in Enid cemeteries.
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My great-grandma came to Enid with her family in 1900 as a child and never left. She dropped out of elementary school to help on the farm when her mother died. We would have had 5 generations of Enid High graduates had she not dropped out. Her daughter, my grandma, was raised in Enid and graduated from Enid High in the 30's. There was a period of time where my grandma moved away with her husband but she eventually returned.
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My mom is an Enid High graduate. After graduation, she met an airman from California that was stationed at Vance. They got married and traveled from base to base. It was while stationed in San Antonio, Texas, that I was born in 1962.
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My early years were spent on Air Force bases in Texas and Oklahoma. My dad was stationed in Turkey where I lived for a few years, still being under school age. About the time I was ready for first grade we moved back to Clinton-Sherman Air Force base at Burns Flat, Oklahoma.
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Halfway through first grade we moved to Enid. I finished first grade at Lincoln Elementary and then completed grade school at McKinley Elementary. I then attended Waller Junior High and graduated from Enid High in 1981.
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So, I guess you could say I'm from Enid. After college I did spend a few years working in OKC but found an opportunity to move back to town and took it. I came back to Enid in 1989 and have not left since. Both of my daughters were born in Enid and both are on track to graduate from Enid High School.
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My golden years in Enid were in the late 70's and early 80's. The downtown area was hopping and we had the freedom to go anywhere we wanted. We rode bikes all over the city and wandered through the drainage tunnels buried under the streets. I have great memories of the Springs Park Zoo, Crazy Days, the Bullet at Meadowlake, the Tri-State rides on Broadway and many other things that have faded away.
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Jobs I've had around Enid include washing dishes at The Sage Room, washing cars at Danny's Nissan, roofing for Wheeler and Sons, building fence with Jim Thorpe, salesperson at Anthony's, farming for the McNaughton family, attendant at the Vance driving range, advertising director at Evans and owner of Shaggy Duck Media & Design as well as Enid Buzz.
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Being a part of this community has been a great experience and I don't think there's a better place to live and raise a family. Looking back on my 53 years I'd have to definitely say, "Yes, I'm from Enid."
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