DeRay's 80th Birthday - PART IV

To DeRay from Carol Murphy:

ALMOST A BROTHER

It seems like DeRay has always been a member of our family.......is he a true Esplin?  I was 13 years old when we adopted DeRay (actually it was Jeanette who adopted him).   From then on, right up until now, the Pugh family became part of ours.  We got to hear Uncle Robert’s jokes, watched the Pughs get together on Cedar Mountain and heard about their lives.

Thanksgiving in Stadium Village.  Lynn, Juanita, DeRay, Jeanette, Mama, Verla, Carol. 1957

DeRay was always willing to participate in our family dinners and take Mama, Verla, Jerry, and I along on the trip to Canada to take a car to Elder DeLoy Esplin.  It was quite exciting to tow a car and then we had to ride in the tow car and tow DeRay’s car to town to buy a part so DeRay could fix it. 

DeRay almost made the picture.  On our way to Canada.

DeRay, Jeanette, Jerry, Mama, Verla, Carol.  Cardston

Elder Esplin, Elder Dotson, Jerry, DeRay.  Front: Verla, Mama, Carol, Jeanette - 1958

Before Jeanette and DeRay got married we went to Henderson, Nevada to see DeRay.  We stayed in an igloo type motel and went swimming.  I got to see Mama in a swimsuit and that was exciting.

We didn't catch Mama in her bathing suit but we caught nearly everyone else.

Mama, Jeanette, Carol.  Old Frontier Village.  Las Vegas - 1956

Jeanne, Lee, Brent. Front: DeRay, Jeanette, Brooke, Carol, Melissa, Charles, Robert; celebrating Brent getting his Eagle (joke) - 'er, maybe just his Bear or Wolf.  1972

Farewell Party before Jerry and two buddies went in the Marines.  Mama's frontroom. Orderville. DeRay top right.  1956

Visiting Marine Jerry when DeRay and Jeanette were on honeymoon in California. 1956

 ALMOST A BROTHER......a brother goes the second mile for his family and that is what DeRay has done.  He serves his brothers and sisters no matter what their last name is.  He never complains and is always willing to drive somewhere to help!

     Love, Carol

My apologies to Carol for mutilating her memories.

It will be correct in his book, I promise.