Honoring Dad on Father’s Day

Julie Yates
Staff Reporter

June 16, 2008 09:12 am

— Tray Pendergraft appreciates having a dad to take him places.
Tray was adopted 10 years ago by Mike and Robin Pendergraft of Locust Grove.
“My dad always has Tray with him,” said Tray’s sister Amanda Pendergraft. “He takes him everywhere.”
Amanda, 21, said her parents adopted Tray through Cherokee Nation’s adoption system. They already had three daughters of their own, of which Amanda is the youngest.
“They felt like they could help someone,” said Amanda.
Tray joined the Pendergraft family when he was seven. He struggled with emotional and behavioral problems. Amanda said his attachment disorders stemmed from being shuffled through the system.
“It was pretty rough for awhile,” she said.
Amanda described her father Mike as a good-hearted person who “does not give up on anyone.” He involved Tray in
showing animals at the fair and spent time with him. Two years ago, Mike took Tray to Canada on a
fishing trip.
Amanda said her
parents faced a lot of problems with Tray as he got older.
Approximately six months ago Tray asked to go see his biological mother in California. Mike and Robin finally allowed him to fly out for a visit.
After a four-month stay in California, Tray wanted to come home.
Tray returned with a different attitude. He told his adopted parents he didn’t know how good he had it.
“You guys are awesome to me,” he told them.
Now almost 17, Tray feels his dad is a supportive father and “real nice to get along with.” He helps his dad work on rent houses and other jobs.
Amanda feels helping Tray with his struggles has brought her parents closer together.
“It’s made my them stronger,” she said.
Mike and Tray left Friday on a second fishing trip to Canada.
“My dad has never given up on him,” said Amanda.