Happy 88th birthday to my Dad. He was born on April 23, 1921 in Vernal, Utah. He has lead an amazing life and seen so many remarkable things in his lifetime. He met my mother in Germany while serving in the army. He was trained in Oral Surgery while in the army and then settled in Fresno, California where they raised 7 children. He had a great career as an Oral Surgeon. He flys airplanes, waterskis, snow skies, likes to deer hunt. He has done so many different things in his life but most important has been his love of the gospel and our Savior Jesus Christ. He has lived in Saudi Arabia for over 5 years, served a mission to Vietnam and now settled in Salt Lake. My mother died in 2001 and a few years later Dad and Elaine got together and married. We love her and she and Dad have been great companions for the last few years.
Dad as I started to write this post I didn’t know if I would be able to come up with 88 reasons I love you, but then when I got to the end I had so many more that I could of written. You have been a wonderful father and example always to me in my life.
We all wish you a Happy Birthday. Love, Candy, Craig and Tyler
88 reasons I love my Dad
1. He is so kind.
2. He speaks in soft tones
3. Because he was always a hard worker.
4. He supported us in all that we did.
5. He loved to push us in the swing.
6. He would always share his lemon meringue pie.
7. He would take all of us skiing, 7 kids and a few extras
8. He would lead us through the powder snow
9. He taught us how to work.
10. He taught us to love the outside
11. He would grow a garden and let us enjoy the fruits of his labors
12. He could play a mean game of croquet
13. He would make the best 4th of July breakfasts
14. He loved to entertain
15. We had the most fun swim and barbecue parties at the ranch house.
16. He helped me learn to ride a horse
17. He taught me how to shoot the guns
18. He shared his testimony of the gospel so many times.
19. He was a great speaker
20. He was a great supervisor at the church grape farms
21. He would help anyone
22. He shared his See’s candy
23. He’s tough.
24. He’s fun to be with.
25. He loves our Heavenly Father.
26. He’s so generous.
27. He would take Tyler on a truck ride up the ranch road to put him to sleep
28. He makes playing Rook so much fun
29. He had 6 daughters and 1 son
30. He always made us feel special
31. He bought a beautiful coat for me, when my money was tight
32. He loved the man I married and treated him like a son
33. He is such a good example
34. He always served in the church
35. He is a great cook
36. He was famous for his big breakfasts, deer meat, boiled eggs, cracked wheat cereal, bacon, pancakes and fresh squeezed orange juice.
37. He let Craig help him spread the fresh hot tar.
38. He kept our lawns trim and fun to play on.
39. He took us on many fun trips.
40. He took us on the houseboat.
41. He married my Mother and always loved her
42. He helped us financially through school when needed.
43. He pulled our teeth when needed.
44. He helped to be sure our baby teeth never were a nuisance or stayed in past the loose stage
45. He would stitch up a friend in need
46. He would help people with their broken jaws
47. He loved to travel
48. He served a mission in Vietnam.
49. He worked in Saudi Arabia.
50. He wrote lots of letters to keep in touch.
51. He gave me a father’s blessing.
52. He blessed many people as our Stake Patriarch.
53. He used his time wisely.
54. He knew how to have fun.
55. He always appreciated any lunch or dinner fixed for him.
56. He loves me.
57. He loves my children
58. He knows the answers to questions.
59. He is patient.
60. He dresses so handsomely.
61. He has lots of work boots.
62. He took Tobi and I on a plane ride to the Nut Tree Restaurant.
63. He loves his great grandchildren.
64. He makes everyone feel welcome.
65. He showed that you can do anything you put your mind too.
66. He roasted pine nuts and showed us how to eat them.
67. He heated rocks in the fire and wrapped them to keep our feet warm in the sleeping bag.
68. He took us for early morning deer hunts in the jeep.
69. He made the ranch fun for the grandchildren to come and visit
70. He made a fun tire swing in the trees.
71. He makes the best fudge
72. He also makes the best popcorn balls.
73. He is a great story teller.
74. He loves each of his children
75. He took us on lots of 4 wheeler drives.
76. He took us on a bear hunt
77. He took us to the ranch waterfall to play in the cold, cold water
78. He took pictures of us going down the Natural Rock slide, and fell into it himself
79. He loved to take pictures.
80. He was a great photographer
81. He made my wedding day and reception a day to remember.
82. He was a problem solver.
83. He never said unkind things about people.
84. He got us a regulation diving board so we could practice at home.
85. He trained us to be a dental assistant.
86. He let us work and earn our own money
87. He bought Tobi and I a car in college.
88. He has always shown his love to me in so many ways.
