Warren Selby

Mr. Selby, my neighbor, has led an extremely productive life. Since the time I have moved next-door, I have noticed he is never bored and is always doing something. Cutting his grass, and tending his vegetable garden, he always keeps his property is nice shape. For his work ethic, admire him. Riding his ATV around his property, he will often go off road to scare a flock of geese, acting like he was not older than twenty. Working and busy throughout his day. Warren Selby, who is 86 years old, is certainly energetic. Mr. Selby is scarcely still a second. When he is idle, it is usually as he just sits back and fishes in his lake. He thoroughly enjoys himself on his quiet farm. He has worked hard his entire life. In his youth, he peddled his newspaper routes. As an adult, he maintained the turkey farm. Retired, he spends time with his grandchildren when they come over. I have enjoyed hearing his life stories.

Mr. Warren Selby, born on January 22nd 1934, currently lives only two miles away from his birthplace, Hugo Missouri. He was the oldest in the family, with two younger brothers and one sister. Attending school in Eldon, he had to get up early because it is so far away. In school, Warren was forced to use his right hand despite the fact he was left-handed because being left-handed was uncommon and frowned upon. Back then all the tools were designed for right-handed people. When his teacher looked away, he would instantly switch his pencil back to left hand. It was rough, The Selby family moved to Jefferson City in the fall of 1943. Unlike today, Jefferson was half the size and was a decent place to live. Begging his mom to throw newspapers, he always got the same answer," no". Reluctantly, after a year in the city, his parents relented and gave him permission. Using a girly looking bike, he rode his paper routes every day of the week except Sunday. Throughout his entire newspaper career, he missed only one day, which is extraordinary. Because of the War effort, all of the boys were able to gather discarded newspapers and get 1cent per pound. Once the war was officially declared over, people burned stuff in metal barrels for fun and celebration joyfully rang through the streets. Selling them that day at 5 cents each, he was able to unload all 100 of his papers in five minutes flat with people tossing him the money! They sold as fast as Krispy Kreme donuts! In the summer, Warren and his buddies went swimming in either the river or the creek nearby, in the nude. While in winter, they went skating on a curbside sheet of ice, which was made by dumping water and letting it freeze overnight. Sometimes he tagged along and helped clean up the water fountains at the capitol building for loose change at the bottom. Surprisingly, he even got to see President Harry. S. Truman, who waved bac at him and his buddies! He had a blast. Sadly, he and his family moved back to Camdenton in 1950 and by then he was in his mid-teens and taking on responsibilities. Jefferson City broadened his horizons from the small town of Hugo to big city living.

Newspapers was a start, but now he had to work a fulltime time job, coming back to Camdenton, he got hired at the family feed store, where they mix, and import grain which they then sell to local farmers. In his job he did allot of trucking with diesel engines to far out places such as Illinois, and Arkansas to get stuff from cottonseed to corn and everything in between. As a trucker, you have to spend long hours on the roads. Soon enough, young Mr. Selby had every gadget, gizmo, and doodad imaginable from his salary because he didn't save up for the future. Eventually, as he matured, he started wishing to buy a farm which he could call his own. Around that time, he met a young lady whose name was Pauline. They began courting and fell in love. On new years eve of `56 , approximately year and 2 months later, they were married. His wife gave him purpose and a reason to save money, and work hard so they could have a future. The business slowed at the feed store until he, his brother and dad were their best customers. In 1969 they closed the store and invested into turkeys and let them free range. Eventually, they got barns in 1979. Turkeys were a big part of his life. Raising up to 40,000 turkeys, him and his brother worked long hours to keep the farm running. Because they were low maintenance, they raised cattle and sold about 250 heads of beef a year, which would be shipped to Kansas City. When their dad retired, they bought some of his land, making a total 736-acre farm. They chopped hay into compact neat square bales and sometimes even did hay rides. The farm was prospering. Mr. Selby truly fulfilled this statement " By the sweat of your brow you shall eat your food." From working a feed store, to owning a turkey farm with his brother, Mr. Selby truly prospered because of his hard work.

The Selby’s had a son, and they named him Matthew. Mr. Selby, as the man of the house, had to provide for his family and work long hard hours. For this very reason, he didn't have time to spend time with his son. When Matt Selby, their only child, was in school, they were still raising turkeys. They had to load their turkeys in cages so they could go to market. Because Matt was able to bring 24 of his friends, the job of chasing down and tackling the turkeys was finish with speed. Without friends, it would have taken forever. Through the help of his family Warren Selby was able to persevere through the hardships of maintaining the farm. Unmercifully and cruelly, tragedy struck the Selby family. [1] The year of 1998 was a punch to the gut. Both his brother, Duane, and his dad died that same year. It was sad. Now, it was up to Warren Selby to keep the farm going. Sticking by his side continually, his wife cheered him on and faced the struggles with him. Up until 2003, for five entire years, they tended to the farm by working together as man and wife. It was hard work. In 2003, they closed the turkey business which made them officially retired. Because they have time on their hands, they get to spend time with their grandchildren, Madison, Carlee, and Austin. He provided for his family. He lives for his Family. Mr. Selby loves his family.

As a youth, while in Jefferson City, he learned the responsibilities of hard work, which molded him into the man he is. It made him successful. His career, mostly farm work, helped him care for his family. Undoubtedly, Family is the most important part of Mr. Selby's life. Why else would he be willing to get up early in the morning to care for 40,000 gobbling turkeys? Mr. Selby was willing because his family heavily relied on those turkeys for income. Working his jobs, Mr. Selby dedicated his life to his family's ell being because he loved them intensely. He overcame hardships, heart aches, took hold of his life's ambitions, and cared for his family. Through perseverance and hard work, Mr. Selby’s dreams became reality. Mr. Selby is an achiever.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, April 29, 2024 in Community Christian Church, Camdenton, Missouri. A visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 p.m., Monday, April 29, 2024 in Community Christian Church, Camdenton, Missouri. Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home.