Life Sketch

Life Sketch-5/24/2013




Read Obituary.



My dad was always telling me something. A story, a weird fact, something that had happened with someone we knew or someone I didn’t even know, he always had something to tell me. My dad’s stories were important to him. He looked for facts, details and finishing touches in everything, so I am going to read a few things today today. I want to get the details correct so he won’t say to me, “now, that’s not quite right” I have a letter he wrote home to his parents when while serving in the Coast Guard, a write-up about him in the Herald News Letter and also a write up in the ELKS flyer in the veterans corner feature.



Read- Letter to home from Coast Guard

Read-Retiree writes up in Herald Employee News letter.

Read- Elks Veterans Corner





On Sundays growing up we would go to Nate’s diner for a pancake and I’d play Pac man while my dad had coffee with friends. On Saturdays, I was usually with my Uncle Don while my mom worked and we would meet up with my dad at Joe’s spic and span for lunch. I loved to sit by my dad on the red stools as Ron or Joe slid water down the bar to me, my dad always had a coffee cup in front of him and he would add teaspoons of water to his cup while I ate my hamburger patty.



I helped my dad deliver Ice when he had his business, I remember sitting at the bar in browns billiards in Payson/Santaquin? Having a coke while my dad finished up. Yes, a bar.



My dad built me the biggest swing ever. In our back yard I had a huge swing made out of two telephone poles. I would twist the ropes for hours with my neighborhood friends.



My dad made sure I had what I needed, always. I always had enough coffee money in my pocket and little extra for gas.



My dad helped me with my son Coby. A week or so ago Coby showed up with a car he had bought with his own money- a car that needs to be restored. My dad stopped by my desk at work inquiring on Coby’s “project” it seemed like he threw his hands in the air, but my dad was secretly excited to see how it all played out. On Monday earlier on in the day he gave Coby $10 bucks to get some keys for his car made. It was the first step, and my dad wanted to help him get started with his car.



I am going to miss running around my house like a maniac and hearing a soft knock at the door, then the door opening and my dad saying” knock knock” This making me stop what I was doing for a quick chat.



I am going to miss being out in my yard and hearing one of the rigs fire up and seeing my dad come down Marty’s driveway. He always did his wave and would stop for a quick hello, but was usually on his way to a car show.



At work, at the end of my dad’s shift he would clock out and say, I will see everyone tomorrow… or tonight and he would peak his head in a wave to me.



Cassidy trusted her grandpa to take care of our dog whenever we would go out of town, I will miss coming home to a dog that had been well fed over the course of a weekend. My dad definitely helped our dog get to his current weight of 118lbs. My dad liked helping, helping and working made him feel important.



Both me and my dad dislike mash potatoes, it’s something we had in common.



It will be hard to see an empty seat at my kids programs and games. He didn’t miss very many.



I will miss walking into my parent’s house on Sunday, music blaring, and my dad sitting on the couch. He would say to me, “this is one of my favorite songs. Most the time he would stand up and turn it down because I was usually in a hurry, but once in a while I would listen to the song finish out.



I have to say mostly I will miss my pal; I will miss seeing my dad at work. I was super lucky to work with my dad for over seven years. My dad took great care of me; he loved my husband and kids. He took good care of my mom and told me he would marry her all over again, he always called her “my sweet wife” when talking about her. He and Marty had had a lot of fun, they were always together. Today is Mart’s birthday, as well as my grandma Gina’s. Marty told me the other day as we were making plans, what would be more cool then spending his birthday honoring my dad. I hope my dad is also celebrating Gina’s birthday with her.



My dad NEVER said anything bad about anyone, ever… I would be ranting and raving about something and... He told me everyone has good in them and to focus on that. Look for the good in everyone sometimes its hard, but it’s there. That is the best thing he ever taught me.







I love you dad.