SKETCHES
OF THE O’REAR (Orear) FAMILY
OF
STAFFORD COUNTY, VIRGINIA

Being an account of the O’Rear Family of Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. Many other states now have members of the Family.

"A man inherits most of the qualities of his mind and body. He may develop his inheritances but he cannot alter them. So, the matter of one’s heredity is of much importance. The stock of which one is a scion may bear good fruit, even imported fruit, but by and large it will be the same fruit. ‘Do you grow figs of thorns?’"
Judge Edward C. O’Rear
(1863 - 1963)

Edited by Edward Clay O’Rear II - Frankfort, Kentucky
Original Cover Design by James O’Rear - Corpus Christi, Texas
Created from the Third Edition by Ed O’Rear II: Printed 30 April 1978 in Frankfort, Kentucky.

I wish to thank the many members of the family who have helped with the work for this pamphlet. I also which to thank my son John O’Rear for his help in putting it together, and to Lori Meadows who typed it. – Ed C. O’Rear II
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Revised October 1999 by Dennis O’Rear, Petaluma California.
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Because some of the language in the original version of the Sketches is now considered offensive, I have disguised the offending words. This is not only a matter of offending someone, but might result in legal action. If anyone wants to revert them to the original, please remove my name from this document.
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Webpage conversion by Lee Hoffman, Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.  

Note:  Internet URL addresses given on this site are good as of the date given above.  They may be changed or no longer be available.  I have attempted to update some URLs, but may have missed others.  If anyone finds a broken URL and knows of a more current address, please notify Dennis or Lee at the above addresses.

Last Revision: 10/17/2007 04:54:23
Number Visits:

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The following essays have been written by Dennis O'Rear who spent the majority of his professional career as a technical writer.  He has dozens of publications and is the inventor of over 70 US patents.  This is his first attempt at non-technical writing.  We hope you enjoy them.

-- Spider's Thread - a story that connects Dennis's father, himself and his daughter.
-- Men in Full  - a series of very brief sketches of men who acted as informal mentors to Dennis after his father passed away.  He uses them as role models in his work with Big Brothers (Men in Full -- title borrowed from the Tom Wolfe book).
-- Avalon - a story about how Dennis' family spent their summer vacations and how one thing he learned then stays with him. This will be published in the September issue of a New Jersey zine called '7 Mile Times.'
-- The Colonial Theater.doc - A short and simple story about Dennis's dad's movie theater-- The Colonial in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
-- A Walk Along The Edge of the World - Reflections on a walk in Point Reyes, California.

Dennis says, "I have a fifth story - about 30 pages.  It's my "Coming of Age Story". Understandably it's personal but I'm willing to share it.  It involves several themes and at times is gritty, joyful, sad, and uplifting. If you're interested send me an e-mail at djorear@yahoo.com. Please don't forward these stories without my approval.  Comments on these stories are welcome."