Page 63 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2023 - Online Magazine

LOVE STORIES

were made while attending church
there. In the blink of an eye, the family
grew up, with all five Bigham children
graduating from New Deal High School.
The Bighams agree that New Deal was
the best community to raise their family
in, and the family continues to be blessed
by it. Some of the Bigham’s children,
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren
reside in or near the community and have
raised New Deal graduates as well. The
Bighams were also fortunate to have other Since retirement, the Bighams have continued to follow
grandchildren and great-grandchildren attend schools around grandchildren and great-grandchildren in
in nearby communities. This proximity to their family support of that large family Fern prayed for as a child.
enabled them to be an active part of their children's and That was an answered prayer, indeed, as presently
grandchildren’s lives. the Bigham legacy is one containing 83 immediate
family members. They have five children with four
In 1981, Burly broke away from the family business to spouses, 16 grandchildren—13 with spouses, 39 great
start his own. The new business, Bigham Construction, grandchildren—1 with a spouse, and 3 great-great
eventually evolved into Bigham’s House Moving, grandchildren. They have lived in their home for 61
which Burly started in partnership with son, Bill. Burly years and feel blessed to still be living there together.
retired in 2020 after moving houses for an impressive Burly and Fern credit their mutual devotion to their
76 years! Some of Burly’s most treasured house- determination to make marriage work and to the
moving memories include working side-by-side with example their parents taught them of staying committed
his brothers, son, and multiple other family members even when the going got tough. Both offered words of
during moves. He considers the moving of the “Barton advice for a long and happy marriage:
House” and various 6666 Ranch historic structures
into the National Ranching Heritage Center as some “Put God first in your marriage, and nothing will break
of his greatest accomplishments. Fern experienced it apart.”
several job opportunities after the kids were out of “Work your problems out—talk them over with open
school, including office manager at LP&L, working minds, and do not hold grudges.”
in the business office and for the Dean of Students at
Lubbock Christian College, and retiring in 1999 from “Love each other in the good and hard times—for love
TTUHSC Med Net—one of the very first telemedicine conquers all things.”
organizations created in the United States.

Lubbock Senior Link 63