DeRay's 80th Birthday Celebration - Part II

THE PARTY

Original decorations, preparation, set-up, clean-up, and food

Created and designed by

Elizabeth Hugh

With relentless help from

Brooke, Brigitte, Isaak, Klarissa, and Karlton

Music by Amy

(she plugged in her iPod and speakers)

MEMORIES , TRIBUTES, and GREETINGS

Happy Birthday.  Love, Aunt Olive

Hope you have a great year.  Keep gardening.  Aunt Mar

I remember . . .

- stealing lumber and nails from the houses Dad and Joe Graves were building, to build our treehuts (much more important than houses)

- going hunting near The Rock.  We kids would go over the top of the hill and play in the dirt, where our wiggliness and noise wouldn't scare off the deer in the valley

- going golfing at Hill Air Force Base

- building the pop-up table in the Kaysville house with its counterweight and magnet system.

- having our dinner take a short but exciting flight once in a while when the tabletop popped up

- visiting (interminable) home shows and traipsing through endless (boring!) houses to get ideas for building our house, like the conversation pit and pop-up table/stairs entrance

- begging for hours to be allowed to 'lay a brick' when Dad was laying all the brick for the Kaysville house--and then Dad would of course have to re-do the whole thing as soon as we left

- climbing up on the scaffolding of the house after school to see how the brick laying was coming

- neighborhood teenagers stealing building materials and finding them stashed in the gully somewhere

- many houseboat cruises

- especially the one where we drove up on the rock and ended up spending the entire night there

- but note well that we never did SINK the houseboat, as some people did . . .

- going on a cruise to Mexico and spraining my ankle--luckily on the last day . . .

- Dad driving up to Francis Peak to pick up Mom and me, who had hiked to the top.  Then we couldn't figure out how to get from the hiking trail up to the parking lot where Dad could drive to . . .

- Many trips to Las Vegas to visit the doctors.

- Flying to Las Vegas for the doctors during my mission, then everyone driving back really quick to meet me in Salt Lake after my flight was cancelled there due to weather.

- Building the swimming pool at the Kaysville house, then filling it with ditch water and going in for a swim in wetsuits when it was about 55 degrees . . .

- Gardening

- Frantic call for HELP!!! when my tire started disintegrating while driving to college in Provo.  Also many other frantic HELP ME WITH MY CAR calls when various automobile troubles over the years.  Not exactly sure how we did that before cell phones . . .

- Dad coming along in the motor home to rescue Jan & me when the wheel fell off our car in Marysvale.  Then somehow finding the parts in Richfield and getting it put back together by the side of the road

- Taking me to buy my first car, a Volkswagen Beetle, $200.

- Then helping me take the engine off and back on again, at least five times, to replace the leaky oil gasket.

- Using a 2x4 to lever the engine up and down out of the engine compartment.  His Dad helped us out one time as the person in charge of stepping on the 2x4 to lift the engine up & down.

- Many thousands of sourdough pancakes at the Pugh reunion

- Water machines and water machine overflow filling the basement

- Many hours of fiddling with and fixing computers for the family and others

- Lots more, could keep typing nonstop from now until Saturday!

--Brent

Elizabeth made the Dreamcatchers just for this gala.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!  Love you lots!  Brigitte

Dear Grandpa,  I remember back when we were just little when Brigitte and I would go shopping with you.  We went a lot but the time I remember most was when you bought me the black lock box.  I used it and still use that lock box for everything when I can find the key.  I keep it hidden in my room for safekeeping.  But when I pull it out, I think back to the time we bought it and back to all of the other fun times we have had together.  I love you, Isaak.

     Then Brigitte remembered how jealous she was of the lockbox so Grandma and Aunt Amy took her shopping for a little Cedar Chest with a lock.  Granite furniture found one up in the attic that was left over from graduation purchases.  They may have just given it to us or charged us minimum.  No one can remember but she still has the little chest.

DeRay and his Aunt Olive and Aunt Mar with Christina and Mildred

    

Dear Grandpa, I remember when we used to cook hot dogs on the stove on the back patio and then you would start in on one of your stories while we were eating our hot dogs.  It was fun to listen to you and eat our dinner.  You have some really interesting stories.  I love my grandpa lots and lots. Klarissa

DeRay and his favorite widows.

The DeRay I Know

One page wouldn't be enough to make a list of things DeRay has done for us (Amy and me).

He wanted to keep us in the new computer emerging world. It didn't "take" with me but for Amy it gave her a wide spectrum of computer knowledge.

Summertime was much more pleasant when he put in a swamp cooler.             

There were the vacations we took with the Hughs in DeRay's time-share condo in San Diego. Then there were the trips to Washington D.C. and to Nauvoo. I was a guest with Jeanette, DeRay, Ed and Amy Lyn when they went to the British Isles, the home of our ancestors. We toured the entire country looking at names on headstones.  In Scotland, we especially felt John Esplin's presence and were invited into a little stone cottage that might have been his home.

I thought of one particular day with DeRay that stands out in my mind. We had never managed to repair (or solve) a leaky toilet, DeRay removed the John taking it out on to the front lawn for all to see. He had bought a new toilet, saying the old one used to much water.

I had traveled with him to the appliance store.  I was amazed to see how he engaged the sales girl in a conversation about parts. She was overwhelmed with the knowledge he had about what he was looking for.  We got all the needed parts and supplies and came home.  Then even with all his vast knowledge of engineering and plumbing once we got home he had to put the old toilet back in because he could not make the new toilet and parts  fit our World War II vintage bathroom.  But he made sure to take out any rotted floor boards, and replace them with new and he also elevated the toilet so it stood higher of the floor.

DeRay has climbed high ladders to paint the outside of our house when none of my sisters dare climb that high.  He has put in two different satellite dishes on our house and updated our television set. In our fireplace in our living room, he installed a small gas heater to give us heat if the power goes out.  He has provided rototillers to make gardening easier, lighted my kitchen, and cleaned my carpets.

I know I'm just one of the many people DeRay has helped through his 80 years.  He truly knows what it means to be the good Samaritan and a good Christian.--Shirley

Happy Birthday, Dad.  Here’s to 80 more.  Love, Brooke

 Growing a garden and bottling the rewards.  Building your home.  Adventurous.  Traveler.  Kind Hearted.  Never a nicer person than DeRay.  Sharing.  Funny and witty.  Hard working.  DeRay loves a bargain and so do I.  Friendship.  He’s true blue.  Smart.  An entrepreneur.  Never pretentious.  Genuine.  DeRay is probably one of the nicest people I know.  Such a good soul.  Happy birthday  80 Years Young!  Cai & Suzanne Nielsen & family

dear granma,

i remember grampa fell asleep when i was watching t v.
love,

Naomi

 

 Happy Birthday.  I expect you to come to my 80^th.  See you there.  Amy Jayne

     I have always enjoyed DeRay’s sense of humor, like when he would tell the kids to go out and play in the middle of the street’ etc.

     I remember when we took DeLoy’s Chev to him in Canada.  We started out pulling DeLoy’s car with DeRay’s Mercury and ended up pulling the Mercury with the Chev., when DeRay’s car broke down.  We had a nice trip and got to visit with Rulon and Elsie in Idaho.

     We appreciated Jeanette and DeRay driving all night to Vernal to get Jayson and Todd when Tim got burned with lime in his eyes.  Tim and Lana Gale were in the hospital in Salt Lake where Tim was having surgery on his eye.  When Jeanette and DeRay got to Vernal, I put them to bed in a bed that was not made up.  (I thought it was.)  I will always appreciate the support they gave to us at that time.  I had been out of town working with the Forest Service when Tim was hurt.

     I remember the time when Jeanette and DeRay were dating and we went to Las Vegas while he was working there.  DeRay took us into a Casino to show us around.  A security guard came up to DeRay and demanded that he show he was old enough to be there.  DeRay was an army veteran and there I stood, a  16 or 17 year old kid and he didn’t ask for my ID.  DeRay was quite put out.

     The time we went camping with the Hugh family at Soapstone out past Heber City and set up our tents and then set around the campfire and talked until the kids got tired.  We put the boys to bed in out tent.   After we had talked for half of the night, DeRay and I decided in go into the tent and check on the boys.  (Brent, Jayson, Tim and Todd)  When we went in the tent, there was a big fat badger in the back of the tent eating Lana Gale’s candied popcorn.  The badger was right by Tim’s head and Tim kept reaching up and rubbing his nose.  I told DeRay the badger would rip the boys to pieces if it got on the fight.  We kept the flashlight in the eyes of the badger and backed out of the tent.  The badger followed us out of the tent and when we got out of the tent, I reached down and picked up a rock intending to throw it at the badger to give it a good scare.  I threw the rock at the badger and hit it in the head and killed it right in front of the tent.  The next day we held a funeral for the badger and buried it just outside of our camp.  Right after that a Forest Ranger came by and visited with us.  We didn’t dare tell him about the badger because we were afraid we had broken some law by killing the badger.  If I remember right, he did mention that there had been a badger in the campground eating the camper’s food.

     I remember the time that Dale Sorenson, DeRay and I went on our annual deer hunt during the Thanksgiving Holiday.  We went up the North Fork Road over the hill and down into the Muddy.  After we got down into the Muddy two big bucks crossed the road in front of us and stopped.  I was sitting on the window side and DeRay in the middle.  Dale was driving.  I stuck my 30-30 out of the window and shot both of them before Dale and DeRay could get out of the pickup.  They were both a little put out with me.

     I could go on with more memories we have shared with DeRay, but probably better stop.  I enjoy visiting and working with DeRay and have shared many good memories with him.  Jerry 

MEMORIES OF DERAY BY LANA ESPLIN

     Jerry’s deer hunting story reminded me of the time we were hunting with DeRay. We had our three boys with us.  Jerry took Todd and Jayson with him and I had Tim with me.  With memories of a lost boy (Todd) in Flaming Gorge recently, I was keeping a sharp eye on Tim as we walked through the bushes.  Tim, who had wanted to go with his Dad and not with me, decided to hide from me.

I started calling “Tim, Tim,” but he didn’t answer. 

     The minutes sped by and I began to get alarmed.  After a few minutes of this, from the direction of a side hill above me, I heard someone answer, “What?”

     I screamed my answer, “Jerry get down here right now, Tim’s lost!”

      I heard Jerry noisily moving down toward me until I could see him appear a few yards away.  When I saw it was DeRay I’d been screaming at, I started explaining about Tim being lost.  Just as I was finishing my story, out from behind a nearby bush pops Tim, wearing a mischievous grin on his face.  (At that point, I think Tim wanted to go hunting with DeRay.)

Happy 80th Birthday DeRay!

     I have so many happy memories of DeRay! I knew from when I was little that he was very smart and very funny. He could figure anything out and fix it if it was broken. When we would visit their house, we would wait to see what he would say next that would make us laugh our heads off.  Marilyn and I have made lots of trips together to visit them through the years.

     With a 16.5 year difference in our ages, we have become friends as adults.  We have many common interests, dieting (on my part, talking about it, not really doing it), movies and TV shows, and shopping (mostly on his part). I like ordering it on Amazon and having it delivered, he likes the hands on shopping!

     A lot of my favorite memories are camping with him and most of our siblings, and lots of cousins, for a week at Duck Creek for our yearly Family Reunion. DeRay has kept us entertained through the years. You have to be on your toes or you might miss some hilarious comments! At first you might be slightly insulted, until you realize he's kidding, and he has a heart of gold. He's a marshmallow inside with a crusty outside.

   If you have a problem, he'll be the first one to help you figure it out. He's saved me so many times with motor homes I've rented to bring to the Reunion. There was always a generator problem or some other issue that he would help solve. Norm Ogden was always there to help too. I would never have had the guts to drive a motorhome up the mountain and park it without knowing DeRay and Norm would be there to help.

   DeRay and Ed have been coming to visit the city where I live, around Ed's birthday, for quite a few years. Sometimes it's just the two of them, sometimes the whole family.  There's lots of fun memories playing pinochle and other games whenever we are all together.  It's just fun being together, whether it's talking, watching movies, or whatever else we can think of.

     I once rode with him to Kansas City to pick up his grandkids when their mother was confined for the summer with an injured foot. We still didn't run out of things to talk about after 3 days of driving! He even bought me a couple of ice cream cones - that was the bait, of course.  They each only cost a quarter!

     I feel very blessed to be born in the same family as DeRay and to have him for my BIG brother! He's been the best friend and brother a girl could have. I'm hoping he lives to be a hundred or more!  Love, Clare

 

 Happy Birthday, DeRay.  Thanks for all you have done for our families.  You truly know how to serve others.  Carol Lee

Happy Birthday!  You made it to “80” -  thanks for being such a help to my mom and sister.  You’ve been such a good example – kind & wise!  Nellie & Jan

 

 DeRay: 

Keep in mind, 80 is young!  (She is 93.)

Keep remembering all the wisdom you’ve accumulated.

Keep being Jeanette’s answering servant on the phone.

Keep watching for bargains for groceries—even helping poor widows not to starve.

Keep smiling and telling tall tales.

HAPPTY BIRTHDAY to an expert vegetable grower and champion baker of home-made bread. –Sylvia

Congratulations for reaching the Magic 80.  Sorry we could not be there.  Have a wonderful day. Lynn & Joyce

 

  Blisters from yesterday's work.

 Pumpkin tarts Elizabeth made special for DeRay,

because he loves her pumpkin pies made with squash!

Happy 80^th DeRay!  Thanks for the help, advice and memories!--Verla

  Husband * Father * Grandpa * engineer * Carpenter * Gardener * Mechanic * Landlord * Stockbroker * Tax consultant * Cook * Shopper * Artist  * Bus Driver * Chauffeur * Handyman * Scout Leader * Ward and Stake Clerk * Deer Hunter * World Traveler * Life time Learner * “Utah” Man  *  Story Teller.  DeRay has been a part of my life since I was 8-years old!  I’ve never known a person who is a MASTER of so many things.  The amazing thing is how he has used his many skills and talents to help others.  He does service quietly without any hope of recognition or compensation.  Many times I have been the recipient of DeRay's acts of kindness and service.  I have seen the finished products of his hard work and talents; the house he built for his family, the gardens he has grown and shared with many; the cars he has fixed and the yummy sour dough hot cakes and bread he has baked. "Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others." Booker T. Washington  "To do more for the world than the world does for you, that is success." Henry Ford  DeRay must be the happiest and most successful man in the world.  Verla Galloway

HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY DERAY

My favorite memories of you start way back when I was just little and I was a pest but you liked to tease me --and the more you teased the harder I cried and fought.  One of your favorite things to do was to hold your hand on my head  I would  be swinging with both hands and a kickin with my feet and you would just laugh because nothing connected! The more you laughed, the harder I cried & fought! Also the madder I got. Another memory is of my favorite little yellow records -- I would play them over and over and drive you crazy. Even when you would warn me if I didn't stop it they would disappear and I just ignored you and sure enough soon they were all broken.  You big bully!! I vowed that when I got married I was going to have girls first and then boys so the girls could beat up on the boys. You probably vowed he would never have a little brat like me!

I remember you working on cars and giving me a ride in the rumble seat of that green model T(?) that you rebuilt.  I remember being sad when you went away to the army. And then was so happy when you came home and drove bus. When you were dating Jeanette, I tried very hard to be nice to impress her so that she would want to marry you.

I loved that Mercury car you sold dad for me. I remember how happy I was when I picked it up and drove it home to Kanab. I’ve watched you thru the years as you've built your house then maintained all those apartments. There aren't too many things you can't do.

Through the years it has been nice to stay close as we enjoy phone calls, house boat & condo visits, trips & family reunions.

Of course all the sourdough hotcakes, biscuits and delicious pear syrup make it fun.

You are always willing to help fix things or figure things out with our car our motorhome etc.

I feel very blessed to have a brother who is so close.

I love seeing how you figure out problems around your house and garden, find great bargains on groceries and everything else, enjoy movies with us, and did I mention visit with me on the phone? 

Thanks for your unselfish service to everyone.

I love you. Karen

PS. Norm says thanks & he loves you too!!

 This has been a special birthday.  Thanks for thinking of us oldsters as your special friends.  Thanks for helping us in so many ways.  Love, Shirley

 Happy Birthday, DeRay.  Thanks for all you have done for our families.  You truly know how to serve others.  Carol Lee

 Dear Grandpa, One time I remember you took me kayaking.  We went to that 3-fingers reservoir.  You read the newspaper while Amy went with us.  Happy Birthday, Grandpa!  Karlton

 “Elizabeth, you should open a catering business.”  Everything is perfect, professional, classy, delightful, delicious.   So much more than we ever expected.

She shook her head, “Too much work.”

. . .to be continued