Summary

Used to transport President Kennedy from Parkland Memorial Hospital to the airport at Love Field.

Details

Who could ever imagine that a single object can represent such a significant piece of American history? Even more amazing is the raw emotion that this object evokes from every man, woman and child who was alive that very fateful day on the 22nd of November, 1963. This 1964 Miller-Meteor hearse arrived in Dallas in October, 1963 for the National Funeral Directors Association Convention. It was the display vehicle as a new model year introduction for the 1964 and its body #64001. It was purchased by the O'Neal Funeral Home located in Dallas when the convention ended. History collided with this hearse that unforgettable day at Parkland Memorial shortly thereafter. There are hundreds of different theories, conspiracies and stories that are argued to this very day, but there are certain know facts that are undisputable. The Lincoln convertible that the president rode in has been reconfigured at least once and no longer retains its originality and is located in the Henry Ford Museum. The pedigree and originality of this car is impeccable and without question. This hearse has only changed hands two times. The first titled owner was O'Neal Funeral Home, the second owner was Arrdeen Vaughan and he has owned the car for over 40 years, where it was kept in a private collection. It is titled to us and we have copies of the previous titles. It carried the president and first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, from Parkland Memorial Hospital to the airport at Love Field. It not only carried away the president for the last time, it signified the end of the age of innocence, the end of Camelot and the end of so many hopes and dreams for one of the most beloved presidents of all time. Upon arrival at Air Force One, Vice-President Johnson was sworn into office and became the new President of the United States. The O'Neal Funeral Home supplied the casket and their new hearse for this unprecedented event. It was sold a few year later to another funeral home, Vaughan, to be kept in a private collection where it has been for over 40 years. Aubrey Rike worked for the O'Neal Funeral Home and was the driver of this car that fateful day in 1963. The O'Neal Funeral Home had the contract with Parkland Memorial Hospital for both the hearse and ambulance service. Aubrey Rike had spent much of his life lecturing nationwide and wrote a book about his role, along with this Cadillac, from his perspective called 'At the Door of Memory.' Aubrey Rike passed away in 2010.