Distributing the Cremains of Gernard and Judith Waugh, First Four Houses, Flint Segment.
16 May 2022

Long before Gernard Waugh died on April 15, 2021, he communicated his corporeal wishes:

1. To have his body cremated.
2. To have his ashes sprinkled on all the places he lived.

During Gernard’s 84 earthly years, he lived in eight different houses (not counting college or boot camp), the addresses of which were printed neatly (though arbitrarily-spelled) on sketchy (but dated) lined paper. Throughout his life GC was proud and protective of his homes and his family. His roots. To honor his wishes, Erin, Brennen, Tom, and Diane set out on a Monday afternoon May 16th, 2022 to begin the scatterings. I have called this journey Putting Asses to Ashes, because “Erin, NO!”

Now watch this video:

House #1: 227 W. 12th Street, Flint, Michigan, 1936-1937

After Clifford and Margaret Waugh married in 1935, they moved into a duplex at 227 W. 12th Street, Flint, Michigan. This is GC’s first “house.”

Now watch this video:

House #2 – 2531 N. Genesee Rd, Flint, 1937 – 1954

The house that sweat built. Clifford built the original house, and when Gernard, Myrna, and Tom were in their teens, they dug a basement UNDER the existing house, at which point they had INDOOR plumbing just like Elon Musk.

Note: Your ash distributors pulled halfway up the long driveway scoping out tactical possibilities. The owner of the house pulled in behind us, not 60 seconds later. He was not outwardly warm, but he did agree to allow us to distribute the ashes as long as we were not “too close to the house.”

The front yard:

Gernard’s ashes:

Judith’s ashes:

House #3 – 5125 N. Center Rd. Genesee Villa Trailer Park 1958-1962

After GC and Judith married in 1958, they first lived in a trailer park. Their trailer is likely long gone, but the “park” still stands. Erin and Tracey both lived here.

Now watch this video:

And this one:

House #4 – 3397 Blue Lake Drive, Flint, Michigan 1962-1967

Erin, Tracey, Brennen, and Curt all lived here for some amount of time. What Erin remembers about this house:

1. There was a golf course behind the house.
2. GC built us a very sturdy wooden swing set out back.
3. One time we found a dead rat by the swing set.
4. During one storm, lightning exploded the chimney onto the driveway.
5. One snowstorm blew snowdrifts high enough to block the entire back of the house so that we could (had to) dig igloo tunnels to escape.
6. This is where I ate my first TV dinner. (Mmmm…. triangle mashed potatoes.)
7. The neighbors in the dark brick house to the right were the Berta family. I can’t remember one thing about them except their name.
8. We owned a cat named Sam Pumphrey. (I have no idea. About the name or what happened to him.)
9. GC worked 2nd shift for most of his stay here. Coneys and milkshakes were occasional treats.
10. Judith invited one of Erin’s elementary school teachers over to the house. For LUNCH. (Erin was mortified. Teachers weren’t real people!)
11. We had a fireplace with a hearth. All photos from this area must be staged on said hearth and happiness will be magnified if photo subjects are wearing matching outfits.

Now watch this video:

And this one:

Asses to Ashes Wrap-up

Made a quick stop at Flint Memorial Park where Elmer Carson (Margaret’s father) and Thomas Clifford and Margaret Gene Carson Waugh are buried.

Shaggy.

Followed by coneys and milkshakes at Gillie’s.

There are four houses left to scatter: Detroit, Salem, Romeo, and Rochester. Tracey has agreed to distribute ashes in Salem in June. The other “territories” are still unscheduled. Thanks to all who participated in person or in spirit. And we didn’t even get arrested.

Outtake: