Some things I remember about dad, by Chester

Taking me to the Dodgers-Yankees world series game in 1961.

Bringing the paper to me in the morning…the funnies when I was little…the sports when I was older.

Smiling and greeting people with “Hi, neighbor”.

Spanking me when I was about seven years old because I threw a tantrum and kicked and broke the mirror in a display case at the store.

Making sure I always had some work to do and getting paid for it.

Giving me paper routes...first on a bicycle, then with him in the car of truck, and then giving me the pick up to drive when I had a license.

Teaching me to pump gas check the oil and tires and wash the windshields (and clean the bathrooms) at the Union 76 Station.

Taking the family to the beach in Santa Monica from time to time.

Attending my swim meets and ball games.

Taking the family to a fancy restaurant or movie in L.A. from time to time. Places that come to mind are The Chinese Theater, Lawry’s The Prime Rib, China Town and Phillipes for a french dip sandwich and lemonade.

Taking me to the 1959 Major League All Star Game in the L A Coliseum.

Staying up for 24 hours so that he could take me to a Dodger’s game and still deliver papers all over the desert the next morning...several times.

Worrying about his post-smoking hacking cough even after he had quit smoking.

Driving the family to Glendale to see Aunt Gwen and Uncle Dick.

Cleaning the church on Saturday nights.

Being aware of his community activities like doing a deep pit BBQ for the Mojave Gold Rush days Parade…and tossing little milk cartons to the parade crowd from the Dairy Truck.

Being on the Mojave School Board and Kern County Board of Trade.

Being instrumental in getting a high school for Mojave.

Going to the L A Temple with Normagwen to be sealed to him and mom.

Taking me to the Temple for endowments.

Taking me to Lancaster to be baptized.

Having me start a savings account at the Bank of America.

Supporting me on my mission.

Getting me my first car…a 1951 Chevy Deluxe with a noisy throw out barring, and later a 1964 Ford Falcon and a very cool 1968 Dodge Dart 270.

Supporting me for BYU education and the first semester of dental school.

Breaking his heart a few times and giving him grief many, many times and still believing in me.

Watching him sing “Bye, Bye Bunting, Daddy’s Gone A Hunting” to Normagwen.

Hearing him recite nursery rhymes.

Sitting on his lap and steering the 1954 Lincoln Capri on Rogers Dry Lake. That was in about 1956. The first Space Shuttle Columbia landed on that dry lake bed in 1981.

Taking the family on a “real vacation” to Arizona, Utah, Yellowstone, and San Francisco when I was about 14. He loved reuniting with his Aunt Vilate and cousin Verona , my Aunt Jenny and Uncle Ed and others. Good times.

Encouraging me to enjoy photography.

Encouraging me to marry Liz.

Encouraging me to go to dental school.

Being terribly ill with shingles and missing work.

Arguing fiercely with mom.

Reading the newspaper daily and the National Geographic magazine monthly.

Stopping smoking and drinking when I was 10 or 11 years old and becoming active in church.

Taking me as a teenager to “The French Café” for breakfast on Sunday Morning after I helped him distribute and deliver papers from 1:00 a m to 7:00 a m.

Taking the family to Sunday Dinner at “The French Café”. His favorites were sweet breads and steaks. He loved to eat the fat.

Buying a nice suit once in a while.

Driving nice cars. Mom once said he liked a comfortable car after driving a pick up or panel truck for work. I remember Lincolns and Chryslers.

Enjoying talking to strangers and being friendly.

Wearing a paper cooks hat at the café.

Making the best hamburger and milkshake ever.

Teaching me to sell a newspaper subscription.

Loving his pet dogs, cats, and birds.

Making Christmases memorable with Santa, stockings with oranges and peanuts and fun toys.

Bringing home Easter lilies.

Nailing my shoes to the floor for April Fools Day.

Encouraging generosity.

Treating others with dignity, although he was, what would not be considered in today’s world, not exactly politically correct.

Being a republican and voting in every election.

Loving all his children and grandchildren.

Taking us to Bakersfield for Basque food.