Soup Town JJ: DeRay's 80th Birthday Celebration

On June 23, 2013, Jeanette posted a blog honoring DeRay shortly after his 79th birthday. She pointed out the service he has provided to both sides of the family without being in the limelight, but always there. Jeanette used the title Mr. Cellophane Celebrates to emphasize his not being in the limelight, though always there. I think as he celebrates his 80th birthday I will point out a few of many examples of his constant outreach related to me and us under the opposite title:

Mr. Always There

1. When I was in Canada on my mission Mama needed to purchase a car and bring it to me. I came out of an All-Mission conference in a chapel in Cardston to find Mama waiting for me in the foyer, the first I knew she was there. How did she and the car get to Canada? DeRay and Jeanette brought her, towing the newly purchased used car.

2. Shortly after Grace and I were married and were living in Cedarville, California, managing a motel in lieu of paying rent, Mama and Uncle Ed were married and came to California on their honeymoon and stopped to see us. Who were their chaperones and drivers? DeRay and Jeanette.

3. Later, when we were living at a ranger station on the mountain-side above Milford, California, we took a photo that included Mama. Guess who else was in the photo besides her and our family? The Hugh family! Henry & Gene Goebel were also in the photo.

4. When I was working in San Francisco and we were living in the suburb of Concord for ten years, we had two visits from DeRay & Jeanette. The first time they came, we got a phone call from DeRay after they got to town saying: We are on the corner of Walk and Don’t Walk and need to know how to get to your house from here. The second time, we got home from church to find the Hughs sitting in our living room. So much for locked houses. On one of their visits we went to the beach in San Francisco. A movie was being shot as Brent walked by and they conscripted him to be in one scene.

5. Later, DeRay and Jeanette invited Grace and me to join them in their condominium on the beach in San Diego after we had moved to Goleta.

6. I also think of many pleasant early times deer hunting together up in the Oaks.

Anyway, Happy 80th Birthday, Mr. Always There.

DeLoy (I am just glad that I am not that old!) (He turns 80 on July 5.)

What a great day for a great person. Mildred

When Jeanette asked us to write something about DeRay for his 80th Birthday Celebration my mind jumped back to the good old days. Back when we were first married and we lived closer to your family. When we were younger we did more fun things than we do now. When I think back about some of those fun times I realized that we did most of them with you. To name just a few: Camping in Nephi Canyon and other places. DeRay and his home-made camp trailer. Going to Lagoon. Thanksgiving dinners. Christmas Eve and Christmas visits. I think of all of the times you tended our little kids while Juanita and I did things together and when Juanita had surgery, not so fun. I think back when you were building your home and living in the garage.

Of course the most important of all was our deer hunts together each October. Good weather or bad weather, rain or snow we were always at our deer camp on Clear Creek mountain under the big pine trees. I remember when Mamma and Uncle Ed were at deer camp and Mamma rode Dandy Boy. I remember the night search for DeRay’s cousin after the snow storm. I remember the “rock” and the “perch” and all of the good hunting on Jimmy Creek Point. I remember the hunt strategy discussions around the camp fire. I remember all of those nice bucks and some that got away. Deer hunting just ain’t what it used to be.

More recently I remember our week on your house boat at Lake Powell. A kind of experience we never would have if not for DeRay. I remember the week in San Diego with you. The sour dough treats that have become a part of our family get-to-gathers. We can’t forget DeRay’s soft drink maker, his composts with three kinds of manure in them. DeRay always has something going to keep life interesting. What will it be next? One thing for sure, we are happy and privileged to have you as a brother-in-law. We have so many memories to reflect back on and we hope there are more memory makers waiting in the future. If DeRay is involved, we know they will be unusual, eventful and fun.

Happy Birthday DeRay. Have a great 80th. We will be thinking about you.

Lots of Love, Lynn & Juanita Esplin

DeRay always likes to find a bargain or find a way to do the same thing at a cheaper price. We both enjoyed collaborating to find better deals and increase our purchasing power. One that is worth noting has to do with the 19-unit apartment building we purchased in Ogden in 1984. It had a commercial water heater with a several hundred gallon storage tank that held the hot water for the 19 apartments. Soon after we purchased the building, the water heater failed. We were astounded to learn that a new commercial water heater would cost about $2,000 and likely require a plumber. DeRay suggested that we use conventional water heaters that are used in most homes. It took us awhile to determine that 4 conventional water heaters would do the job and we could install them ourselves which saved on the installation. It cost us $600 for 4 conventional water heaters with no added labor costs. The large storage tank required by the commercial water heater was also eliminated. This allowed us additional space which we were able to convert to a new studio apartment and increase our income from the property. Les Cragun

Donald Duck came around in 1934; Ritz crackers are also 80 years old! Snickers candy bars. (Verda sent Ritz crackers and candy bars and a beautiful “In Honor of Your 80^th Birthday” card.) Wishing You the Best Today and Always. Dennis & Verda

Another Birthday? Don’t worry. You’re not as OLD as the HILLS yet – or the Reeders. Happy Birthday from your old neighbor and good friend. - Alison

I regret we didn't get a picture of DeRay with my sisters and me.

"It's the first Sisters' Retreat I've been invited to," he quipped, "and already I hate it."
He thought we were picking on him.
Men!

Bob Hope and Jack Kennedy were also born on May 29.

DeRay, Ron & Lynda

Memories of DeRay are few. He is twelve years older than I am. I do remember in 1956 when he was driving the Union Pacific bus filled with tourists to the National Parks, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce. When he would come back to Kanab, he would drop the tourists off for shopping and refreshments, pick me up and gas up the bus. I was able to drive a little with him.

I remember driving north past Orderville with him and he said, “Let’s pull over and fish some.” It was up Black Rock Canyon and we caught a few real nice fish.

I remember visiting with DeRay and his family when he was building his house in Kaysville. I helped lay brick. He was happy for any help he could get. Dad helped too.

We had a chance to travel to Oregon with his family for an eye clinic appointment with testing on Ed. That was a nice trip and good time to be with them. Ron Pugh

Ed's in the front; everyone else is in the back.
But the front is where the goodbyes are said
and if he's watchful he might snag a hug.

Alison, born and reared in Australia; and Jeanette born and reared in Southern Utah, trace their lineage (great grandfathers) back to the same parish in Kirriemuir, Scotland. We were next door neighbors in Bountiful, Utah, and have been friends for 50 years now.

DeRay is a wonderful, kind-hearted brother who has contributed much to our enjoyment of the week of camping at Duck Creek! The sour dough work alone was a highlight for everyone but more than that we appreciated his company and skills in solving technical problems. His wit and knowledge make conversations fun! As a big brother he was the dependable one when it came to chores with the cow or garden! We really needed his help! Thank you, DeRay for being you!
Once I was visiting Brett at his house in Northern Utah when DeRay conned me into visiting with him while he repaired a roof on a rental! I was dubious about the whole thing but he said he would take a chair up there and give me a Coke to drink so I did it! I don't like climbing ladders to be on roofs but it was an excellent visit with him that day and I am glad I did it! Marilyn

“80^th” Happy Birthday, DeRay. Best Wishes, Ed & Kathi

You’re 80! THE BAD NEWS IS: You’ve reached the age where the little bit of hair you have is gray and you have lots of wrinkles on your birthday. THE GOOD NEWS IS: all your friends have reached the age when they’re too nearsighted to notice!!! Happy Birthday! Conley & Erika (Conley is 82. He’s wrong about the wrinkles and gray hair.)