I feel a bit like a broken record, but my mother's father passed away June 12, just one week after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. His passing was peaceful and sweet. He was not in terrible pain for long, and I am grateful for that. So, here is his life, Readers Digest version.
Grandpa was the youngest in his large family. He was born to Ranching people, but his mother insisted that her children were well educated. He learned to play the violin at a young age. Later fiddling was one of his favorite past times, and one of our fondest memories.
He grew up in the mountains of Arizona, but was called to serve an LDS mission in Australia. He didn't finnish his mission there though, WWII broke out, and he was called to finnish his mission in Canada. That is where he met grandma (she was serving a mission too).
After his release, he attended Utah State (GO AGGIES!) for awhile, married my grandmother in the Logan Temple and moved back to the family ranch. He was then called to serve his country in WWII as a medic in the Pacific front (mostly on Iwagima (sp)). Those years of his life were both sad and so amazing. He saw the greatest miracles along with the most vile things men could imagine. Grandpa always focused on the miracles though.
After WWII Grandpa came home to the family ranch. He worked with cows and other livestock for the rest of his life. He was also an amazing artist (mostly leather, and wood work). He loved to be creative, he braided old bailing twine into all kinds of things. He knew how to do most anything one would consider "handy" and always came up with solutions to the weirdest problems.
Among grandpa's most prized of all possessions was his testimony of the gospel. He love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He had a vast knowledge of Church doctrine and studied the scriptures in depth. He was a great patriarchal leader in his family for many generations. He and his wife, Elvira, served thousands of people. Their true discipleship could be seen not in their vast knowledge or great speeches, but in the multitudes they cared for.
He passed about 3 months after his wife. I am so grateful they will be together again. I will miss him.
And grandpa, You are loved in return.
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