ONCE YOU BECOME A FATHER.....YOU REMAIN A FATHER....FOREVER.

When I became the father of these two boys, my life became different. Although I was a close friend to my father who I respected, becoming a father was fun and yet brought a whole new meaning to being a parent of another human being. It was thrilling to attend each of their school productions and activities; sports, but became their friend and allie. One of our routines they looked forward to was each Saturday we spent sweeping and cleaning the garage. Although many years have passed since this weekly ritual occurred, I couldn't help but sweep the garage once again today, but did so alone. Their photo sat on a nearby bookcase as if they were both watching me with guardian eyes. I couldn't help but sit down and shed tears of joy for the good times I had as a father, Being a parent is one of the greatest challenges of life on earth, and now that I have only one son left in this sphere, I continue to wonder and worry about what I should or should not have done differently. I assume that each parent and grandparent shares the same concerns. I pay my respect and gratitude to all those fine folks they call parents, even to my little 75 year old brother, who lives in Alaska; never married or had kids of his own, but took on the duty of being a father type to Gary Jr. and a worthy example of a father in helping kids with his written books and Alaska excursions with nieces and nephews. I assume that is why it is much easier to be a father when we are younger! Thanks to God who granted me the privilege to be a father to both of my sons-Troy Coyn and Justin Wm. Jones.

ERZA TAFT BENSON DIED IN 1994

 A couple of months prior to his 1994 death of a heart attack, Erza Taft Benson of the LDS church asked his Chauffeur and Security guard that he wanted to see American Fork Canyon for the last time, as he thought that was one of the most beautiful canyons there was. I was fishing in the area, and came to the car as I thought they were having medical issues. I sensed that his death was near and he stopped only to admire one of God's greatest Canyons. Little did he know that at the top was Tibble Fork and government and construction people decided to make it bigger so that more people could move there and take up more water and natures beauty. However, some of the old miners of the area knew the construction would disturb the poison silt and slough at its bottom and I even spoke to a Foreman to no avail. Money talks and Sense doesn't and so all of the fish died from what Americans had to pay for. Sure enough, I fished Tribble Fork and although the State Fish and Game say they had planted thousands of fish there, none could be found. I felt that President Benson must have felt something, as the American Fork Canyon is still pretty, but the people that drive up and down the road seem to be trying out for the Indy 500, as they race up to Tibble Lake, then race down, with no consideration for bikers on the roads or the people that want to have a "Bish Bellestion" pleasant drive. Most of the campgrounds are destroyed because of the floods, and walking along the road to fish is dangerous, as large man holes are big enough to suck folks down in the middle of the road. Us old timers used to believe the best Sunday drive us up to Dad and Sons, but we now hear the Forest Service wants more money and work less and even tore up some of the campgrounds the Nephi Eagle Scouts and 4-H  took care of.  Oh well, that's what a government can do when it doesn't earn money, but demand it from us the real workers. The good news is that the German Brown fish are tough and some of them survived but the one I caught still had diapers on it, so I threw it back for another day. It survived. We also took a photo of the BYU shirt and two pants from a party place. We left them there, but removed the name of the XXL Shirt. And Yes, we disposed of your socks and other stuff too!

RANDY SPERRY-ANOTHER JUAB CLASS OF 65 HAS PASSED

I have made it a personal policy to never read any Utah Media News or TV News for the past 45 years. I was involved in police actions years ago and found that many of the reports submitted by the news folks were misleading and inaccurate. So I didn't know about the passing of Randy Sperry, of Nephi origin, and felt bad that his viewing and funeral is today and in Midvale. So can't make it and especially right in the middle of my cup of coffee. There were about a hundred of us in the Juab High Class of 65 and we were all like a family and remain so. Randy lost a brother when we were all young, due to a deer hunting accident, and it affected all of Juab County. Randy, even as a kid, had sad eyes and I often wondered if it was related to that. And yet he was a happy kid, and loved by all. His big brother was Phil, who was the sports hero of basketball, but Randy was the man at the baseball plate we all cheered for. I spoke to Randy not long ago, as he contacted me to get the history of why we call it the Vine Bluff Cemetery. It was good to talk to him, but knew then he was not feeling the best. And Randy, sorry I couldn't make it today, but will put another photo on to show you could play in the school band. I tried to make it playing the clarinet, as my mother saved every penny for us kids to play, but five of us failed at it. I got kicked out of band when I was caught having another classmate play a solo for me. Oh well, we had a good time in school. And you had a great Dad you can rejoice with now. He was built like a solid brick and just a plain and good man of Nephi that was proud of his family.

LINDA SANDERS FUNERAL WAS YESTERDAY IN IDAHO

If you are a new move in to Juab County, or only been here for twenty or thirty years, you may not be familiar with Linda, but those who did know her would quickly recognize one of Gods chosen elites. Her folks were Glade and Lucy Sanders who ran the Garrett Honda Sales in Nephi, which folks from the Intermountain West would travel to buy their brand new Honda 50's, which out did the Tote Gotes of yesteryear. Their gas station and "Penny Candy" store was across the street from the park. Back in the 40's it was started with Rob and Erma Jones Garrett, and they lived in a small apartment shack behind "The Serv". Kirk, a brother was the mechanic genius while other family members and friends shared a coke by the pot belly stove. Although some things in life move slow, near deaths and deaths in this family seemed fast and furious, almost like one couldn't live without the others. Like a bad wind, a Cancer can blow in a bad storm and a good life is called home. Linda lived in Rupert, Idaho, but was constantly in Nephi to check on all family members and now Ilene Sanders is the last, so if you are up to it, she would love a visit. Through out my own life, I have always known that the real jewel of a person is not how much money; talk; fancy clothes or degrees they have, but the love and heartfelt kindness they pack inside. Linda was always that way, and found a loving husband and both created the same with their four kids. Linda, we will miss you and yours at the Ute Stampede this year and every year. But know this, at least from your cousins, "Well done, My Good And Faithful Servant". Last page of the program was read by a granddaughter and composed by all grandchildren

DANG, I MISSED ANOTHER CHURH MEETING TODAY.

 Well, if you  missed a church service today, rumor has it that you won't go to hell, at least not for that alone anyway. I did hear that if you read a sermon or a church talk, you get a half-credit for church attendance. I may have lucked out, as I found an old  talk that I gave in the 1950's. Although I learned to type early in life, I recognize my mothers old Remington typewriter, so I suppose she typed it after finding it in the various good books she kept for her 4 1/2 heathens. I was the half heathen and almost earned by full set of horns. Even if it is old, it is till good enough for a re-read.

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UTAH'S WRIGHT BOYS WILL SHOW TODAY THE RIGHT WAY TO RIDE TOUGH STOCK

In the 1950's and 60's, Utah became famous in the Sports world with the three Fullmer brothers boxing their way to the top and Gene Fullmer made us proud as they were true Utah kin. In watching Gene train, he purposely took a lot of hits to wear out his opponents, then would do the knock out punch to put him the Middleweight champion of the world. In getting to personally know Gene, about the only thing he would have changed is that their fame destroyed the rural farming community that everybody wanted to move to, running agriculture out of the area. Although many city folks are unaware of the last of true American sports, the Wright family of Beaver County are doing everything the Right Way, and like our Little Leaguer's, American's are starting to appreciate the rural way to have fun and make a living at it. Tonight in Santa Maria, California, more than a hundred thousand dollars is up for the taking. And there is a great chance the Wright Saddle Bronc family will share that as Stu, Spencer, Rusty, Ryder, Staler and Stetson Wright will be there to buck it right. Although Stetson is scheduled to ride "Purmeanother", he may be more in the Spirit to tell his Dad-Cody, to Pour Me Another"!  We will also be cheering for Goshen's Hayes Weight, who has Nephi relatives as does Allen Boore. And like the Ute Stampede, it is the Flying U that is bringing in their good and mean Stock. Utah news don't like to report Rodeos or the Iditarod, but better enjoy them until Politician's discard the last of them. While in the 6th grade, Justin Jones interviewed Gene Fullmer and was asked "Who was your strongest fighter, and without any thought, Gene Fullmer responded by saying "With my wife". He and the Wright family remain true sport hero's from Utah. Strong but Silent.