Judson Richard Lively and Kathryn Ann Fox's families were descended from many generations in Shelby County Ill. Both families had deep roots in the community. They were high-school sweethearts; she was the homecoming queen, and he played on the football team at Shelbyville High School. Jud and Kate graduated in 1947 and were married December 21, 1947 in the First Methodist Church, Shelbyville, Ill.

Kate displayed an early talent and love for music and during the Depression, even when money was scarce, Kate’s father’s, Earl, bought her a small piano. Kate’s love of music endured over the years and she played in almost every church the Livelys attended. One of the fondest memories of Eva Jeane and Jud Bruce is hearing their mother play the piano after they were put to bed. Kate imparted their love of music to her children and Jeane and Jud both learned to play the piano from their mother. Kate contributed to the family income by giving piano lessons and arranging piano recitals for her students.

Jud’s artistic nature manifested itself in his talent and love for drawing and painting. An accomplished illustrator and painter, Jud supplemented the family’s income with his sign painting business. His own paintings and drawings, usually with a Western theme, hung on the walls of the Lively homes and those of their relatives.  Jud met renowned artist Gerald Curtis Delano while walking downtown in Denver one afternoon and they became good friends for many years until his death in 1975. Jud and Kate purchased one of his watercolors in 1967. Jud still enjoys drawing and every member of the Lively family and their friends and relatives treasure one of the beautiful game boards that Jud painted for them.

They had five children: Eva Jeane, Judson Bruce, Audrey Jill, Joel Conrad and Jeffery Earl. Their lives changed many times; they lived in many places, including Denver, Colorado and San Diego, California, mostly going where Jud's job took them. But one thing that never changed in the life of their family was a deep devotion to God and an active church life. They and their children attended church every Sunday, and they were involved in every aspect of church life. The children remember that their home was always full of young people from the Youth Groups, all of whom adored Jud and Kate.

The Livelys spent many summers traveling and camping with their kids in the woods of south-central Illinois and later on, in Rocky Mountains. The entire family would also go on short weekend camping trips in Clear Creek Canyon just outside of Denver where the kids would bug Jud unmercifully until he made a waterwheel out of twigs. If the fishing was good, they would dine on freshly caught trout. The kids remember a night when an unwanted skunk wandered into camp, and Judson tried to shoo it away with a flashlight, much to the chagrin of Kate and the kids. Sometimes they would go on longer trips that took them to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone Park, the Grand Tetons and Four Corners.

While living on Clarkson Street in Denver, Jud built a wonderful tree house for his children to play in. Around 1969, Jud had an offer to work in San Diego for Rohr Aircraft, and the entire family, except for Eva Jeane who was in her second of college in Forth Collins, moved to the West Coast. Then there were weekend trips to the beaches and day trips to Balboa Park, Disneyland and Sea World. They lived in Imperial Beach and then moved to Chula Vista, then to Lemon Grove, a suburb of San Diego, where they lived until 1975 when a job offer from General Dynamics took them to Fort Worth, Texas. Once the kids had grown up, Jud and Kate settled in Weatherford, a small farming community 30 miles west of Fort Worth where they bought an eight acre "ranch" which they and their children's families all cherish. The next few years were spent improving the property. Kate loved going to garage sales and furnished much of the ranch’s two homes with treasures she picked up at yard sales. Eventually, she made a good living buying and selling antiques and collectables...like her father Earl Fox.

Judson was a runner most of his life. He would get up almost every morning and run five miles. Since retiring fifteen years ago, he enjoys driving his vintage Ford tractor around the ranch, painting and drawing, watching birds from his study. He and Kate are both active members in 11^th Avenue Church in Mineral Wells where Jud still preaches occasionally and Kate, otherwise known as the “Piano Princess” plays the piano and is a member of the hand bell choir, “The Ding-a-Lings.” Jud and Kate have many dear friends, both in Weatherford and Fort Worth. But their greatest joy comes from having their children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren come to visit them at the “Ranch.” Every Christmas and Thanksgiving will find all the Livelys and their extended family at the “Ranch” enjoying each other and a nightly bonfire which is planned for all year by Jud Bruce. After the holiday meals and festivities, Jud Bruce loads up the trailer and everyone hops aboard for the ride down to the pond; after the bonfire is lit and everyone has settled down, Jus and Kate’s grandson-in-law Frank usually gets out his guitar and entertains everyone with his gifted music. Perhaps the most joyous and unexpected event in recent family history took place a few years ago at the Thanksgiving bonfire when Frank serenaded grand-daughter Stacy, then surprised everyone by getting down his knee and asking her to marry him.