Obars fit like two pieces in a puzzle of happiness
BY SUZANNE LOUDAMY Staff writer

Lee Ella and Claud Obar enjoy working puzzles together.

Anyone who has ever worked a puzzle knows how frustrating it is when you get to the end of the pieces and there are holes left to fill. Troup has a couple who fits right in.

Claud and Lee Ella Obar were not born in Troup, but they got there as quick as they could. Claud's family moved in when he was just a baby and he brought his new bride home to Troup June 5, 1948.

"We've been here 59 years and not going anywhere anytime soon," Mrs. Obar said.

Mrs. Obar said when Mr. Obar brought her to Troup she only knew a few of his relatives who lived there. It wasn't long before she found a friendly and familiar face. It was the pastor of the Methodist church, Rev. B. R. Shelton. Having grown up in neighboring Cherokee County, Mrs. Obar new the pastor from the church she attended as a child.

"The preacher's daughter and I were good friends in those days back in Cherokee County," Mrs. Obar said. "We used to take naps on pallets made in the back of the old church where he preached."

The first Sunday the Obars attended services at the Methodist church in Troup she was so surprised and pleased to see a face she knew. The friends have multiplied since that day.

After four children going through Troup schools, the Obars say they've been on more band trips, chaperoned more dances and parties, and attended more football games than they could have ever imagined.

"It took us 27 years to get them all through Troup schools," Mrs. Obar said. "Our kids were very spread out so it went on forever."

Sons Larry and Don were active in band. Daughter Suzanne was a majorette for four years, and daughter Yvonne was a cheerleader. That was only high school. That doesn't count for all the plays, home room parties and open house nights at school.

Mrs. Obar said they truly enjoyed those years and have continued the tradition by being a part of all the activities of their grandchildren in school.

Their oldest son Larr y hasn't gone far. He and his family live in Flint and enjoy being close to mom and dad. Daughter Suzanne and her family are still in Troup while working in Tyler. Yvonne and family are in the Houston area, but have purchased some land and hope to come back home soon. Unfortunately, the Obars lost their son Don at the age of 21.

For a quarter of a century Mr. Obar worked at Troup Hardware, also known as Ashby's. Mrs. Obar worked there as well for 20 years. With the store being at the heart of downtown Troup, Mr. Obar says he's seen many changes over the years in that area.

"There was a time you could come over that railroad track and see cars lined up and then just a few years ago, you might only see three there all day long." Mr. Obar went on to say he's really glad to see the downtown busy again. "It's good to see the cars lined up on both sides of the street again."

After leaving the hardware store, Mr. Obar did what he knew best and that was repair work on appliances and other household items. He enjoyed that business from 1973 until he sold it all to an interested party in June of 1989.

Mrs. Obar was the food service manager for Troup ISD from 1969 to 1974.

"Then I went to work for no pay," she said. "I went to work for Claud in his repair business."

It was shortly after the sale of the business that the Obars took their first trip of retirement. And they haven't stopped yet.

Between adventures, they still found a little time for more jobs on the side.

"I worked part time as the church secretary and we both worked with Gene and Phyllis at Cottle Funeral Home."

"Gene always liked having Claud down there with him," Mrs. Obar said. "Claud knows the roads around here so well and could get anywhere they needed to go."

"We just love picking up and going off to see places and people. We've traveled to all but seven states," Mrs. Obar said. They love to travel with Mr. Obar's brother and his wife in their travel trailer.

"But it's good to get back to 1801 Oakwood Circle," Mrs. Obar said with a big smile.

While at home they spend countless hours working on puzzles. It seems to be the hobby of many Troup citizens. Mrs. Obar rattled off a list of friends who all enjoy puzzling.

"We work through so many that it would cost a fortune to keep buying them. We just trade them out among a group of us," Mrs. Obar said. "And when they've all been put together and we're tired of them, we take them to the library and they check them out to others."

Mr. Obar still burns up the streets of Troup. Each and every morning you'll see him walking from his house to the Dairy Queen where he and many other "Troupites" gather to discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of what's going on in the world. And up until this year, he has helped deliver boxes of food during Troup Cares at holiday time.

Mrs. Obar is well known for her cooking skills and she shares them generously; just about any time the library or church needs food for an event, she is there, pots and pans in hand.

These two folks may have different grooves and edges, but they match up perfectly and they make the puzzle of Troup complete.