Rosco's Introduction
In the fall of 1983 Charles killed a large raccoon and carried it to a taxidermist to have it mounted. However, he didn’t tell anyone where he carried it. So, when Charles had his tragic accident, the raccon's where-abouts was unknown. For 20 years, every time we get together with Daneese and ‘the Girls’ (Leigh, Casie & Kristen), the topic of Charles’ raccoon comes up. In the Spring of this year, we finally found the raccoon hide had been preserved in a freezer by JW Harvey for 22 years. Several friends of Charles and Daneese pooled their money and had the raccoon mounted for Daneese and ‘The Girls’. We had Leigh, Casie and Kristen pick out the type mount they thought their mom would enjoy.
These pictures are from our camping trip, when we presented Daneese with the raccoon.
Mike recaping the original coon hunt with Charles
Terry also gave some details of Charles' coon hunting stories.
As I told Daneese about us finding the raccoon and having it mounted, Terry brought the mount around the camper.
I think she was surprised.
This is a picture of some of the friends of Charles and Daneese that had the raccoon mounted. Mike, Zebra, Melissa, Daneese, Glen, Melissa, Terry, Anita and Mark (and of course in the middle is Rosco).
Contributors that were not able to attend were, Ricky and Carol, Tony and Dianne, Jerry and Sue, and Nathan and Debbie.
Charles and Daneese’s grandchildren were amazed at Rosco.
Some day when they are older and hear the stories of their granddad, they’ll appreciate it even more.
The plaque reads:
In honor of special friendships and lasting memories,
Mark & Anita Terry & Melissa
Ricky & Carol Glen & Melissa
Mike & Zebbra Tony & Dianne
Jerry & Sue Nathan & Debbie
Harvested by Charles Tucker 10/1983
Mounted by J.W. Harvey 8/2005
Daneese put a stencil on the wall next to Rosco that seems very appropriate.
“When someone you love becomes a Memory,
the Memory becomes a Treasure.”
Rosco
Charles, Daneese, Kristen, Casie & Leigh, before Charles' accident in 1984.
Thanks to JW Harvey for hanging on to the raccoon hide for 22 years and for doing such a beautiful job on the mount. I think JW has enjoyed the entire story almost as much as we have.