Hardest Working Dad in America

[Buccaneer]

In time for Father's Day, article about a local dad winning Home Depot's "Hardest Working Dad in America"

THE GAZETTE
Charles Davis is a special kind of father.

Just ask his wife, Jennifer, his four kids (Jacob, 14, Brooke, 10, Makenize, 8, and Brieanne, 7) and the Home Depot.

Thanks to an essay submitted by Jennifer, Davis is the grandprize winner in the "Hardest Working Dad in America" contest, sponsored by Home Depot and Yard Machine. His prizes, presented Friday, include a $500 Home Depot gift certificate, $2,500 worth of tools and landscaping supplies, and some hard-earned recognition.

Davis was a Marine stationed in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004, when he was called back because his wife had fallen ill. Almost two years later, doctors diagnosed her with multiple sclerosis, a highly degenerative autoimmune condition. In another two years, she would be unable to run the household.

Davis was just four years short of his 30-year service goal, but he didn't hesitate to take an early retirement when his wife's health began to fail.

They've been living off his retirement since. To save money, the family moved this year into the Colorado Springs house where he grew up. He's been getting by on little sleep so he can take care of his family and make ends meet by remodeling their home, even though he lacks construction experience.

"(My husband) spends his days as dad, mom, contractor, teacher and mentor," reads Jennifer's prizewinning essay. "He is landscaping, building a tree fort, attending school functions, helping with homework, cooking, cleaning, laundry, caring for me, and remodeling our home all on a few hours of sleep."

Jennifer discovered the contest on the Home Depot Web site when she was scouting for sales on products for their home renovation. She thought her husband fit the description of America's hardest working dad, but when she told Davis about the contest he was skeptical.

"He kind of chuckled and said ‘Jen, thanks for thinking about me that way, but we could never win. Do you know how many people enter these things?'" Jennifer said.

But of the more than 3,000 entries, his story stood out.

"The criteria it was based on was the creativity of the essay, the hard work of the father and uniqueness of the story," said Angela Bachman, a public relations representative for the contest. "He fit all of those criteria and really outshined all of the entries."

It hasn't been easy for Davis to make the transition from Marine to Super Dad. Over the last few months he has learned to cook, clean, help with homework, and care for his eldest son Jacob, who has Aspberger's syndrome, a mild form of autism - all while never missing a field trip or a PTA meeting.

But you won't catch Davis complaining.

"I've really enjoyed being home with the kids and my wife, being able to spend the days and the nights with them, and walk them to school and stuff," Davis said.

The prizes from the Home Depot will help Davis with his remodeling project, and help the family celebrate a much deserved Father's Day.

"He was a hardworking Marine, and he was the same kind of Marine that he is a father and husband," Jennifer said Thursday. "When I called my family to tell them (about winning the contest), they were happy for him, but they weren't surprised."

Despite the accolades, Davis remains humble.

"I don't know if I'm the hardest working dad, because I feel like there are a lot of people in the same situation I'm in - that just keep chugging along doing the best they can," he said.

[Cringer]

I wonder what the guy is doing for a living now? I didn't notice it mentioned.

Good story though, sounds like a lot of work.

[Bad-example]

"They've been living off his retirement since."

[Cringer]

Ah, my bad for missing that.

Feel bad the guy couldn't to his 30th year. I know there is a difference in benefits there.

[SFL Cat]

Real stand up guy. In similar circumstances, a lot of lesser guys might bail.

[lighthousekeeper]

ironic that the hardest working dad in america is retired from work.

[oliegirl]

Originally Posted by lighthousekeeper

ironic that the hardest working dad in america is retired from work.

If you have never been a stay at home parent, then you have no idea of the work involved. I assure you, he is working harder now - especially with a wife who is as ill as Jennfer Davis is - than most people ever work.

Was going to say "working harder than he ever did before" but as a Marine who was stationed in Iraq, I'm not sure that would be accurate. But being a stay at home parent is ALOT of work. I do it with 1 kid, I can't imagine doing it with 4.

[flere-imsaho]

Originally Posted by oliegirl

If you have never been a stay at home parent, then you have no idea of the work involved.

The way I read it, I'm going to guess that was lighthousekeeper's point. I'm sure most people these days recognize what a ridiculous amount of work being a stay-at-home parent is. The stuff this guy's dealing with on top of that is just amazing.

[oliegirl]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

The way I read it, I'm going to guess that was lighthousekeeper's point. I'm sure most people these days recognize what a ridiculous amount of work being a stay-at-home parent is. The stuff this guy's dealing with on top of that is just amazing.

After reading it again, you might be right...when I first read it, I took it the "retired from work" comment at face value. My apoligies to LHK if I misinterpreted what he meant

[Buccaneer]

Working in directly taking care of family and others >>>>>> Working in an office

[Raiders Army]

I'd work in an office every day of the week compared to staying at home where you can't "escape" work.

Happy father's day to all of us fathers!

[lighthousekeeper]

Originally Posted by oliegirl

After reading it again, you might be right...when I first read it, I took it the "retired from work" comment at face value. My apoligies to LHK if I misinterpreted what he meant

nah you understood me right the first time. it's ok tho, i just assumed it was that time of the month.