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Dad's Early Years
Dad's Early Years.
I am Teri and the oldest daughter. Standing in front of you today is not what I thought I would be doing early in January 2021 just jumping out of a very hard 2020. But life has its ways of twists and turns and here we are celebrating the life of my father, Lester Taylor. I am going to share a few detailed stories that he personally wrote then a few of my own memories.
He said in his life history (Quote) “My early years were very happy ones. I worked on my uncle’s farm, weeding beets, hoeing tomatoes and doing all kinds of farm labor. It was in these early years that I loved going up into the hills & mountains which were not very far from our home. In looking back at my early years, I think of the many friends and the joyful times I had—ice skating on the lower pond which froze over every year. I started with “clip on” skates which were always coming off. Eventually I got real shoe skates for Christmas when I was about 12 or 13 years old. In the summer we went swimming in the Salem pond which was a fresh water lake with springs flowing out of the ground on the south end of the pond. So many times, my Dad took our family up Diamond Fork Canyon for Saturday picnics and hiking and fishing.” (end of quote)
He specifically talked about a very special summer with his father. His dad started working for the Strawberry Waters Association and in the summer, they would send him up high into the Uinta Mountains to measure and record the water and snow depth.
My dad writes: (quote) “In the summer of 1941, he asked if I might go with him for 2 1/2 months in the summer. As a little boy my dad always took me everywhere with him wherever he could. My dad had a great sense of humor and was always telling some of the humorous experience he’d had. Anyway, my Mom let me go with him. We went up as far as we could go in his pick-up truck, the on horseback high into the Uinta Mountains. A sheep wagon had been placed there and we found all the comforts of home, except no running water. However, we were very near a small crystal-clear creek that supplied all our water needs.
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A lot of trout lived in this stream and it proved to be the main source of our food. He had these trout and sour-dough biscuits, potatoes, etc every day. My dad has a small radio, and it was from a night broadcast, we learned of the German Army invading into Russia. Although the summer was long, I still have memories of all the time I spent with my dad. “ (end of quote
What an experience he had with his father for those few months. And as it turned out it was such a blessing to spend all that time with him.
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My dad had many happy days but as my brother stated he had some terrible tragedies. When he was 6 years old his brother Lloyd was hit by a train and killed and little did they know that the same fate would take his father in 1941 just a month or so after his adventure with his dad up in the Uinta mountains.
Fast forward to his mission. (quote) “Our success was not good. In fact, the mission president reported that we only got one convert for 3 missionaries. Not too good for success, but the great reward was the realization to me that God is real and lives in our lives. “ (end of quote) I’m so grateful he was able to learn and discover this for himself at this time in his life.
Now on to meeting my mom and I have to say I think this is my most favorite: He says (quote) “It was about this time while at BYU that I ventured into the school library. To my amazement sitting at one of the tables was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen in my life. The light was shining thru the window and it magnified her countenance and beauty.
I sat at the other end of the table thinking she would recognize a very good-looking young man like me, but she didn’t even notice me! At a later date I saw her again and introduced myself. She said that she had recognized me before and knew I was from Spanish fork area. It seems her mother had grown up there and her grand- parents lived there. After those initial visits she finally agreed to go on a date with me. I soon realized that she was the one I had been dreaming about for some time.” (End of quote)
I’m grateful that my dad wrote out these stories so I could learn more about him and share them.
What a blessed life I have had. I couldn’t have asked for a better father (and mother). I am so grateful for my wonderful childhood and for the values and morals and he taught me. He taught me the value of work, to be honest, to be responsible, to have integrity, to be grateful, to do what you say you are going to do, to show love and affection and how to enjoy family life and have fun.
Speaking of fun, I remember the yearly trips we took to Idaho, Mack’s Inn area. These incredible memories will be with me and my family forever. Another memory is going to Mammoth skiing… He basically taught me to ski and skiing was something I have loved my whole life.
When I was about 6 years old my dad built me the coolest doll house ever- it was completely round with lots of different rooms and it was filled with beautiful furniture and little dolls. It was for Christmas and I thought this was the best gift any girl could ever want. He always made me feel special my whole life.
He gave me my first job- I got to iron his dental smocks for $16 a month. I felt so rich!!! Then I started working for him when I was in high school and he taught me to be a dental assistant. I went on to get my Registered Dental Assistant degree and worked with him for 8 years until I was married and had my first Child, Willie. This was such a great experience to be working with my dad and to learn all I did during this time. I know it shaped my work ethic for my life.
When I was 17 I wanted to drive his Alpha Romero Spider convertible to Utah with a friend. I never thought he would let me go but He said he trusted me and my choices and that I could go. Boy was I happy!! I never forget that!
He was the best grandpa you could imagine; my children love him so much and he provided them so many fun experiences at the cabin, at the ocean, golfing, hanging in St. George. It was like another extension of my life but for my kids.
He and I had a thing for shoes and coats! He always told me if you are going to buy shoes you might as well buy the best quality, and you can never have too many coats, which I still follow his advice to this day. And I probably have little too many of both. haha
I will miss his sense of humor, his hugs and kisses, his hugs for my kids, my siblings, my mom, and all the grands and greats, his singing of western songs or poetry he learned as a child, his stories – dad could really tell a story, and I’ll miss seeing him and calling him just to talk. But I know I can talk to him anytime now, I know he is close to me and all of us family…he is our angel.
I love my daddy so very, very much. I had the blessing and privilege to help and assist him during his last 10 days of his mortal life. It wasn’t planned, it’s just the way it worked out. He told my mom, my husband and myself two times that he was going HOME and what a reunion he must have had when he got HOME! I so grateful for the gospel that teaches me where he is now.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior,
Amen
Dad's Early Years.
​
I am Teri and the oldest daughter. Standing in front of you today is not what I thought I would be doing early in January 2021 just jumping out of a very hard 2020. But life has its ways of twists and turns and here we are celebrating the life of my father, Lester Taylor. I am going to share a few detailed stories that he personally wrote then a few of my own memories.
He said in his life history (Quote) “My early years were very happy ones. I worked on my uncle’s farm, weeding beets, hoeing tomatoes and doing all kinds of farm labor. It was in these early years that I loved going up into the hills & mountains which were not very far from our home. In looking back at my early years, I think of the many friends and the joyful times I had—ice skating on the lower pond which froze over every year. I started with “clip on” skates which were always coming off. Eventually I got real shoe skates for Christmas when I was about 12 or 13 years old. In the summer we went swimming in the Salem pond which was a fresh water lake with springs flowing out of the ground on the south end of the pond. So many times, my Dad took our family up Diamond Fork Canyon for Saturday picnics and hiking and fishing.” (end of quote)
He specifically talked about a very special summer with his father.
His dad started working for the Strawberry Waters UsAssociation and in the summer, they would send him up high into the Uinta Mountains to measure and record the water and snow depth.
My dad writes: (quote) “In the summer of 1941, he asked if I might go with him for 2 1/2 months in the summer. As a little boy my dad always took me everywhere with him wherever he could. My dad had a great sense of humor and was always telling some of the humorous experience he’d had. Anyway, my Mom let me go with him. We went up as far as we could go in his pick-up truck, the on horseback high into the Uinta Mountains. A sheep wagon had been placed there and we found all the comforts of home, except no running water. However, we were very near a small crystal-clear creek that supplied all our water needs.
A lot of trout lived in this stream and it proved to be the main source of our food. He had these trout and sour-dough biscuits, potatoes, etc every day. My dad has a small radio, and it was from a night broadcast, we learned of the German Army invading into Russia. Although the summer was long, I still have memories of all the time I spent with my dad. “ (end of quote
What an experience he had with his father for those few months. And as it turned out it was such a blessing to spend all that time with him.
My dad had many happy days but as my brother stated he had some terrible tragedies. When he was 6 years old his brother Lloyd was hit by a train and killed and little did they know that the same fate would take his father in 1941 just a month or so after his adventure with his dad up in the Uinta mountains.
Fast forward to his mission. (quote) “Our success was not good. In fact, the mission president reported that we only got one convert for 3 missionaries. Not too good for success, but the great reward was the realization to me that God is real and lives in our lives. “ (end of quote) I’m so grateful he was able to learn and discover this for himself at this time in his life.
Now on to meeting my mom and I have to say I think this is my most favorite: He says (quote) “It was about this time while at BYU that I ventured into the school library. To my amazement sitting at one of the tables was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen in my life. The light was shining thru the window and it magnified her countenance and beauty.
I sat at the other end of the table thinking she would recognize a very good-looking young man like me, but she didn’t even notice me! At a later date I saw her again and introduced myself. She said that she had recognized me before and knew I was from Spanish fork area. It seems her mother had grown up there and her grand- parents lived there. After those initial visits she finally agreed to go on a date with me. I soon realized that she was the one I had been dreaming about for some time.” (End of quote)
I’m grateful that my dad wrote out these stories so I could learn more about him and share them.
What a blessed life I have had. I couldn’t have asked for a better father (and mother). I am so grateful for my wonderful childhood and for the values and morals and he taught me. He taught me the value of work, to be honest, to be responsible, to have integrity, to be grateful, to do what you say you are going to do, to show love and affection and how to enjoy family life and have fun.
Speaking of fun, I remember the yearly trips we took to Idaho, Mack’s Inn area. These incredible memories will be with me and my family forever. Another memory is going to Mammoth skiing… He basically taught me to ski and skiing was something I have loved my whole life.
When I was about 6 years old my dad built me the coolest doll house ever- it was completely round with lots of different rooms and it was filled with beautiful furniture and little dolls. It was for Christmas and I thought this was the best gift any girl could ever want. He always made me feel special my whole life.
He gave me my first job- I got to iron his dental smocks for $16 a month. I felt so rich!!! Then I started working for him when I was in high school and he taught me to be a dental assistant. I went on to get my Registered Dental Assistant degree and worked with him for 8 years until I was married and had my first Child, Willie. This was such a great experience to be working with my dad and to learn all I did during this time. I know it shaped my work ethic for my life.
When I was 17 I wanted to drive his Alpha Romero Spider convertible to Utah with a friend. I never thought he would let me go but He said he trusted me and my choices and that I could go. Boy was I happy!! I never forget that!
He was the best grandpa you could imagine; my children love him so much and he provided them so many fun experiences at the cabin, at the ocean, golfing, hanging in St. George. It was like another extension of my life but for my kids.
He and I had a thing for shoes and coats! He always told me if you are going to buy shoes you might as well buy the best quality, and you can never have too many coats, which I still follow his advice to this day. And I probably have little too many of both. haha
I will miss his sense of humor, his hugs and kisses, his hugs for my kids, my siblings, my mom, and all the grands and greats, his singing of western songs or poetry he learned as a child, his stories – dad could really tell a story, and I’ll miss seeing him and calling him just to talk. But I know I can talk to him anytime now, I know he is close to me and all of us family…he is our angel.
I love my daddy so very, very much. I had the blessing and privilege to help and assist him during his last 10 days of his mortal life. It wasn’t planned, it’s just the way it worked out. He told my mom, my husband and myself two times that he was going HOME and what a reunion he must have had when he got HOME! I so grateful for the gospel that teaches me where he is now.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior,
Amen