Gene Mikkelson-born in Ft. Green; lived in Salt Lake, but a Nephi, Utah hero!

Like his son declared at the funeral today, one could talk forever about the life and times of Gene Mikkelson. He learned how to work hard on the farm, but kept thinking how to make more money shearing men's hair rather than sheep. He eventually got his barber shop going in SLC on 17th South and Main in 1954, and had difficulty giving it up last year-at age 87. Before he graduated from Moroni High in 1953, he was on the basketball and baseball team, and a love of sports, especially golf- right to the end. In the 1950's, like in Viet Nam during the 60's, young kids often went straight from school to the front lines of a foreign country to fight for freedom. Although he was a Medic, there were times he had to do perform difficult duties, as he was on the front lines. As a kid, he loved dancing, and started with his sisters. Local rumor has it, he and his good looking brother-Leon got a ride to Mona, where they did the "Box Step" with the gals that danced at the café the Brock family had-every Saturday night. But eventually, he was smitten by the stunning blonde and classy Ute Stampede Queen-Marian Garrett, and soon hitched with a perfect blend. Gene loved helping and caring for Marian's folks-Joe and Ellen Garrett. When he came to Nephi, he was often seen feeding apples to the horses; digging weeds or mending tools. As a youngster, he was taught that "Life is too short to give a dam what people think of you". To this writer, he was a qualified but unlicensed teacher, willing and able to help and teach all others. His heart was full of love and kindness, although he put up a good fake "Mean Gene". One can't help but love and admire Gene Mikkelson. When I visited with him a few weeks ago on Decoration Day, he didn't put up his fists ready to fight me, and looked pale. Out of the blue, he wanted to hug me. It felt good to give both he and Marian hugs. Perhaps what he was taught as a kid came true. "When you stop living is when you start dying." I think we both felt that on that very Memorial Day!