Moses and Lucretia lived in Nauvoo. They moved there shortly after they were married and joined the Church. There were no other Gay family’s that came at that time that we knew of. Charles A. Davis, Lucretia’s brother came with them. They suffered many hardships that the pioneers suffered through at that time. When they crossed the plains, she brought her spinning wheel and when the company would stop for the night, she would spin. During the day, she would knit while riding. They arrived in S.L.C., Utah on Oct. 1852 in A.Z. Stewarts Company. They didn’t stay long in Salt Lake. They went to Palmyra and lived in the Old Palmyra Fort. Many Indian up—risings. Johnson’s Army came through and Lucretia sold cloth and clothes to them. Moses and Lucretia then moved to Spanish Fork.
One day, Moses saw 2 dogs fighting and became very frightened and died, leaving Lucretia with 7 sons and 1 daughter with the oldest child being age 19.
Moses Brigham Gay was Lillie’s father. She wrote a paragraph on the hardships he suffered. He was 7 when they came to Utah. He remembered running through the snow with no shoes and eating berries and roots. He said he hoped his family would never have to suffer such things. Moses Brigham Gay was born Sept 14, 1845 in Nauvoo, Ill. They also wore skins for clothing. All very active in the Church.
(This history was copied by bits and pieces from the D.U.P. History Library, top of Main St., S.1.C., Utah on Dec 9th, 1982 by Gloria Gay Bradshaw It was submitted by Lillie A. Gay Pearson)
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Lucretia Davis Gay - Patriarchal Blessing
blessing by patriarch John Smith Patriarch on Jan. 1, 1845, upon the head of Lucretia Gay, daughter of James and Miranda Davis, born May 21st A.D. 1809 in Worcester County, Mass.
Sister Lucretia:
I lay my hands upon thy head having authority from Jesus Christ to bless the fatherless in His name. I seal upon thee a Fathers blessing Thou art of the same lineage with thy companion even of the house of Joseph and an heir to the same Priesthood and blessings which were sealed upon his daughters in the days of old and also thou hast a right to all the power, the privileges and blessings which are sealed upon thy companion in common with him. It is thy privilege to have faith to heal the sick in thy house, and to drive away the destroyer from thy habitation. Thou shalt have the ministering of Angels to comfort thee in the absence of thy companion. They shall counsel thee and often bring word to thee from him when he is in foreign lands, which will cause thy time to pass away cheerfully. Thou shalt be mistress in a large house having servants at thy hand to do thy business. With all the riches of earth which your heart desires and the riches of eternity shall be withheld from you. Thy posterity shall be numerous and be honorable forever. Thy name shall be honorable forever. Thy name be had in honorable remembrance to all generations. Thy years shall be many even according to the desire of thy heart, to stand on the earth to see the winding—up scene of this generation. You will have a part in the first resurrection, come up with thy companion to inherit thrones and dominions in the house of Israel and in the presence of thy God forever. With a continual perpetuation of lives to all eternity. If thy faith fails not, not one word or promise which hath been spoken shall fail, even so, Amen.
(copied by her great, great granddaughter Gloria Gay Bradshaw from a photostatic copy of the original document found in the Churches archives)
Sister Lucretia:
I lay my hands upon thy head having authority from Jesus Christ to bless the fatherless in His name. I seal upon thee a Fathers blessing Thou art of the same lineage with thy companion even of the house of Joseph and an heir to the same Priesthood and blessings which were sealed upon his daughters in the days of old and also thou hast a right to all the power, the privileges and blessings which are sealed upon thy companion in common with him. It is thy privilege to have faith to heal the sick in thy house, and to drive away the destroyer from thy habitation. Thou shalt have the ministering of Angels to comfort thee in the absence of thy companion. They shall counsel thee and often bring word to thee from him when he is in foreign lands, which will cause thy time to pass away cheerfully. Thou shalt be mistress in a large house having servants at thy hand to do thy business. With all the riches of earth which your heart desires and the riches of eternity shall be withheld from you. Thy posterity shall be numerous and be honorable forever. Thy name shall be honorable forever. Thy name be had in honorable remembrance to all generations. Thy years shall be many even according to the desire of thy heart, to stand on the earth to see the winding—up scene of this generation. You will have a part in the first resurrection, come up with thy companion to inherit thrones and dominions in the house of Israel and in the presence of thy God forever. With a continual perpetuation of lives to all eternity. If thy faith fails not, not one word or promise which hath been spoken shall fail, even so, Amen.
(copied by her great, great granddaughter Gloria Gay Bradshaw from a photostatic copy of the original document found in the Churches archives)
Aaron Gay
by Maud Lorie Gay West
Aaron Gay was born 22 Aug. 1848 in Pottawattamie Co., Iowa near Council Bluffs, Iowa, while his family was crossing the plains with the Mormon Pioneers. His father was Noses Gay and his mother was Lucretia Davis, both were born in Mass.. His family arrived in Utah in 1853 and they went directly to Spanish Fork. In 1854 his father died, leaving his mother with six Sons and one daughter. His life was the same as all boys in the early days in Utah. They used to bring the cows home from where they had been feeding, bare footed. He fought the Indians, having to move to Palmyra, Utah, for some time, but the Indians stole their cattle and so they moved back to Spanish Fork.
As a young man he guarded the homes from the Indians. While guarding the house of Charles Packet, he met and fell in love with my grandmother, Emeline Packet, and in March of 1872 they were married in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. He had a freighting company and hauled all kinds of freight to Pioche, Nevada. And at one time he was Marshall of Spanish Fork.
When they were first married, they lived in Spanish Fork where his children were born. They later moved to Lake Shore, Utah, and bought a 75 acre farm. This they farmed for some time. During this time he was called to go on a mission. He and grandmother talked this over and decided he should go then. Their oldest son William Aaron Gay (my father) was 19 years old and helped run the farm and care for the cattle while he was away.
In those days, traveling was very slow. He finally arrived in England and was sent on to Scotland, where he preformed a wonderful mission. But owing to the cold and hard walking and scarse food, his health broke down from which he never fully recovered. At one time, he and his fellow missionaries were sent to another town, which meant traveling by boat. He was impressed by a warning, so he and his companion stayed there. When the boat was part way, it caught fire and part of the people were killed. He was gone two years on his mission. I suspose he worried exceedingly about his small family left at home. But, on coming home, he decided to go into business with his brother, who, doing to his inability as a businessman, they went broke and my grandfather lost his lovely farm. They also had a lovely ranch up Spanish Fork canyon which they also lost.
They moved to Mammoth, Utah, a thriving mining town. He tried his hand at carpenter work. While working there, a large rock dropped on his head and they thought he would die before they could get him out. But he lived many years after this. His wife, Emeline had to support the family by sewing and keeping a boarding house.
In 1900, they moved to Provo, Utah, living in the Provo 2nd Ward for 10 years. He wasn't well the rest of his life. Their daughter died leaving a baby girl to raise and they took the baby to raise. She only lived 10 months. Their son—in—law died leaving 3 small children which they helped to take care of, while their mother worked.
My grandparents went to the County Infirmary to work. He was head of the farm work, and she was an attendant. But this work was too much for him, so they quit the Infirmary. He died 14 Oct. 1910. My grandfather Gay was a tall man, well built, weighing 200 lbs. I remember him as a kind man and very generous. He was buried in Spanish Fork Cemetery.
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Obituary of Aaron Gay Deseret News 20 Oct. 1910
Aaron Gay died yesterday from general disability. The deceased was born 22 Aug. 1848 in Iowa. He came to Utah in 1852 with his parents and located in Spanish Fork, when he moved to Provo. The deceased leaves a wife and three children and several grandchildren and other relatives and a large circle of friends.
The funeral services will be held at the residence — 1046 W. 6th S. Friday at 10:00 o'clock. After which the body will be shipped to Spanish fork for burial services will be held in Spanish Fork also.
Aaron Gay was born 22 Aug. 1848 in Pottawattamie Co., Iowa near Council Bluffs, Iowa, while his family was crossing the plains with the Mormon Pioneers. His father was Noses Gay and his mother was Lucretia Davis, both were born in Mass.. His family arrived in Utah in 1853 and they went directly to Spanish Fork. In 1854 his father died, leaving his mother with six Sons and one daughter. His life was the same as all boys in the early days in Utah. They used to bring the cows home from where they had been feeding, bare footed. He fought the Indians, having to move to Palmyra, Utah, for some time, but the Indians stole their cattle and so they moved back to Spanish Fork.
As a young man he guarded the homes from the Indians. While guarding the house of Charles Packet, he met and fell in love with my grandmother, Emeline Packet, and in March of 1872 they were married in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. He had a freighting company and hauled all kinds of freight to Pioche, Nevada. And at one time he was Marshall of Spanish Fork.
When they were first married, they lived in Spanish Fork where his children were born. They later moved to Lake Shore, Utah, and bought a 75 acre farm. This they farmed for some time. During this time he was called to go on a mission. He and grandmother talked this over and decided he should go then. Their oldest son William Aaron Gay (my father) was 19 years old and helped run the farm and care for the cattle while he was away.
In those days, traveling was very slow. He finally arrived in England and was sent on to Scotland, where he preformed a wonderful mission. But owing to the cold and hard walking and scarse food, his health broke down from which he never fully recovered. At one time, he and his fellow missionaries were sent to another town, which meant traveling by boat. He was impressed by a warning, so he and his companion stayed there. When the boat was part way, it caught fire and part of the people were killed. He was gone two years on his mission. I suspose he worried exceedingly about his small family left at home. But, on coming home, he decided to go into business with his brother, who, doing to his inability as a businessman, they went broke and my grandfather lost his lovely farm. They also had a lovely ranch up Spanish Fork canyon which they also lost.
They moved to Mammoth, Utah, a thriving mining town. He tried his hand at carpenter work. While working there, a large rock dropped on his head and they thought he would die before they could get him out. But he lived many years after this. His wife, Emeline had to support the family by sewing and keeping a boarding house.
In 1900, they moved to Provo, Utah, living in the Provo 2nd Ward for 10 years. He wasn't well the rest of his life. Their daughter died leaving a baby girl to raise and they took the baby to raise. She only lived 10 months. Their son—in—law died leaving 3 small children which they helped to take care of, while their mother worked.
My grandparents went to the County Infirmary to work. He was head of the farm work, and she was an attendant. But this work was too much for him, so they quit the Infirmary. He died 14 Oct. 1910. My grandfather Gay was a tall man, well built, weighing 200 lbs. I remember him as a kind man and very generous. He was buried in Spanish Fork Cemetery.
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Obituary of Aaron Gay Deseret News 20 Oct. 1910
Aaron Gay died yesterday from general disability. The deceased was born 22 Aug. 1848 in Iowa. He came to Utah in 1852 with his parents and located in Spanish Fork, when he moved to Provo. The deceased leaves a wife and three children and several grandchildren and other relatives and a large circle of friends.
The funeral services will be held at the residence — 1046 W. 6th S. Friday at 10:00 o'clock. After which the body will be shipped to Spanish fork for burial services will be held in Spanish Fork also.
William Aaron Gay
by Laurel Gay Gibson
Just two days after Christmas, in 1872, my father, William Aaron Gay was born. A son of Aaron and Emeline Packett Gay, he first opened his eyes to the wonders of this world in a little farm house in Spanish Fork, Utah.
He grew up much as all boys who live on a farm do and when he reached young manhood, instead of the serious religiously devoted person his parents had hoped and wished that he would be, he was rather a harum scarum young scamp.
He did nmothing malisiou but he was far more interetsted in drinking and smoking than he was religious. His parent were devoutly religious and it grieved them deeply to see how little the Gospel meant to him.
He was a very practical young man and he told his father the Gospel would have to be proved to him on a scientific basis and on natural principles.
He finally met a beautiful young girl named Clara Stewart. They fell deeply in love with each other but when he asked her to become his wife she told him she would not unless he would go thru the Temple with her. He couldn't see things this way at all but she stayed by her ideals and when he realized that was the only way he could win her he consented.
He went to the Bishop and applied for a recommend. The Bishop asked him if he thought he really deserved a recommend to the House of the Lord. He gave my father a very good talking to and also the recommend. Father and mother were married in the Salt Lake Temple January 31, 1895.
Soon after they were married they moved to the mining town of Mammoth, Utah. Mining towns in those days were very wild and this one was no exception. Father fell in with a wild crowd and it wasn't long before he was drinking and smoking again. This nearly broke my mother's heart but she stayed by him.
They had had three children by this time but my little brother, John William, died when he was six months old. His death sobered my father somewhat and for a time he really tried to be a better man.
My little sister, Maud Lorie, was a delicate child and was ill most of the time. Mother wanted to return to her home in Provo, but dad wanted to stay in Mammoth.
Once, int he middle of the night, mother thought she heard dad call to her. She went to look for him but couldn't find him. She called her father-in-law and together they looked for him all around the house. When they failed to find him, mother knew that he had been hurt. Sure enough he had been in a fight and had been severely injured. After this incident, mother persuaded him to come to Provo.
After coming here he had one job after another. He finally took the civil service examination and as a results was appointed to the position of letter carrier. This position he held for twenty—five years.
With this appointment and a more sober way of living he began to take more interest in the Church. Consequently in 1904 when my sister Arthella was a baby, he was appointed President of the Y.M.M.I.A. in the Provo 2nd Ward. Even after his appointment he occasionally drank and smoked. According to the teachings of the Church he knew it was wrong for him to hold this important office and still indulge in liquor and tobacco. He knew he must give up one of the two so he decided against the Church.
Mother’s step—grandfather, John Stevens, or Uncle John as he was lovingly called, was a wonderful man and very religious. Previous to his death prior to this time, my father had been a very devoted admirer of him and thought the world of him. He appeared to father in a dream one night and showed him what a mistake he was making in giving up his Church and how wrong it was to do it. This dream impressed father very much. He awakened Mother and told her that he had decided to give up smoking and drinking. This resolution he kept from then on.
He was later sustained as Superintendent of the Sunday School in the Provo Second Ward. It was while holding this position that he inaugurated the 'perfect attendance' plan and the music and memory gem, which are still used throughout the Church today. He did a most wonderful work in this capacity.
In 1915 he dreamed that he had only thirteen more years of life left to him. He dreamed also that two very close friends of his were to precede him in death. This dream made a deep impression on father.
His two friends died just as he had dreamed they would and he lived just thirteen years and six months from that date. Mother followed him six years later.
One morning in 1913 he told mother something terrible was going to happen but he did not know what it was. My brother Grant had one of his fingers chopped off. We asked him if that was it but he said that it was not. Later my brother Royal had his arm run over by a sulky plow and badly crushed. Again we asked father if this was the terrible happening but again he said that it was not. Then one day I took sick at work and had to be taken home. The doctor said I must have my appendix out immediately. Father was sent for and when he arrived I asked him if this was it and he answered this time in the affirmative. I was unconscious for three days and large purple spots broke out on me. I nearly died but our prayers were answered and I was spared.
In 1920 Dad had another dream or vision, call it what you wish. He didn’t tell the folks this for some time. He finally told mother. She told him to tell the rest of us and he did. We persuaded him to write it down and he did.
During all these years my father had been a great lover and grower of flowers. He was known as ‘Gladiola Bill’. At his death his friends knowing of his great love of beautiful flowers, brought bouquets from their own gardens rather than from the florists to pay their respects to him. The chapel was a mass of gorgeous bloom.
The speakers at his funeral emphasized the different sides of his nature. One spoke of his religious or spiritual side. Another of his worker temporal side. Still another spoke of his great love of flowers and all they stood for. He died May 20, 1929.
Dad wasn’t blessed with riches or financial power but he had many friends. At the time of his death he held the office of High Priest in the Church.
Just two days after Christmas, in 1872, my father, William Aaron Gay was born. A son of Aaron and Emeline Packett Gay, he first opened his eyes to the wonders of this world in a little farm house in Spanish Fork, Utah.
He grew up much as all boys who live on a farm do and when he reached young manhood, instead of the serious religiously devoted person his parents had hoped and wished that he would be, he was rather a harum scarum young scamp.
He did nmothing malisiou but he was far more interetsted in drinking and smoking than he was religious. His parent were devoutly religious and it grieved them deeply to see how little the Gospel meant to him.
He was a very practical young man and he told his father the Gospel would have to be proved to him on a scientific basis and on natural principles.
He finally met a beautiful young girl named Clara Stewart. They fell deeply in love with each other but when he asked her to become his wife she told him she would not unless he would go thru the Temple with her. He couldn't see things this way at all but she stayed by her ideals and when he realized that was the only way he could win her he consented.
He went to the Bishop and applied for a recommend. The Bishop asked him if he thought he really deserved a recommend to the House of the Lord. He gave my father a very good talking to and also the recommend. Father and mother were married in the Salt Lake Temple January 31, 1895.
Soon after they were married they moved to the mining town of Mammoth, Utah. Mining towns in those days were very wild and this one was no exception. Father fell in with a wild crowd and it wasn't long before he was drinking and smoking again. This nearly broke my mother's heart but she stayed by him.
They had had three children by this time but my little brother, John William, died when he was six months old. His death sobered my father somewhat and for a time he really tried to be a better man.
My little sister, Maud Lorie, was a delicate child and was ill most of the time. Mother wanted to return to her home in Provo, but dad wanted to stay in Mammoth.
Once, int he middle of the night, mother thought she heard dad call to her. She went to look for him but couldn't find him. She called her father-in-law and together they looked for him all around the house. When they failed to find him, mother knew that he had been hurt. Sure enough he had been in a fight and had been severely injured. After this incident, mother persuaded him to come to Provo.
After coming here he had one job after another. He finally took the civil service examination and as a results was appointed to the position of letter carrier. This position he held for twenty—five years.
With this appointment and a more sober way of living he began to take more interest in the Church. Consequently in 1904 when my sister Arthella was a baby, he was appointed President of the Y.M.M.I.A. in the Provo 2nd Ward. Even after his appointment he occasionally drank and smoked. According to the teachings of the Church he knew it was wrong for him to hold this important office and still indulge in liquor and tobacco. He knew he must give up one of the two so he decided against the Church.
Mother’s step—grandfather, John Stevens, or Uncle John as he was lovingly called, was a wonderful man and very religious. Previous to his death prior to this time, my father had been a very devoted admirer of him and thought the world of him. He appeared to father in a dream one night and showed him what a mistake he was making in giving up his Church and how wrong it was to do it. This dream impressed father very much. He awakened Mother and told her that he had decided to give up smoking and drinking. This resolution he kept from then on.
He was later sustained as Superintendent of the Sunday School in the Provo Second Ward. It was while holding this position that he inaugurated the 'perfect attendance' plan and the music and memory gem, which are still used throughout the Church today. He did a most wonderful work in this capacity.
In 1915 he dreamed that he had only thirteen more years of life left to him. He dreamed also that two very close friends of his were to precede him in death. This dream made a deep impression on father.
His two friends died just as he had dreamed they would and he lived just thirteen years and six months from that date. Mother followed him six years later.
One morning in 1913 he told mother something terrible was going to happen but he did not know what it was. My brother Grant had one of his fingers chopped off. We asked him if that was it but he said that it was not. Later my brother Royal had his arm run over by a sulky plow and badly crushed. Again we asked father if this was the terrible happening but again he said that it was not. Then one day I took sick at work and had to be taken home. The doctor said I must have my appendix out immediately. Father was sent for and when he arrived I asked him if this was it and he answered this time in the affirmative. I was unconscious for three days and large purple spots broke out on me. I nearly died but our prayers were answered and I was spared.
In 1920 Dad had another dream or vision, call it what you wish. He didn’t tell the folks this for some time. He finally told mother. She told him to tell the rest of us and he did. We persuaded him to write it down and he did.
During all these years my father had been a great lover and grower of flowers. He was known as ‘Gladiola Bill’. At his death his friends knowing of his great love of beautiful flowers, brought bouquets from their own gardens rather than from the florists to pay their respects to him. The chapel was a mass of gorgeous bloom.
The speakers at his funeral emphasized the different sides of his nature. One spoke of his religious or spiritual side. Another of his worker temporal side. Still another spoke of his great love of flowers and all they stood for. He died May 20, 1929.
Dad wasn’t blessed with riches or financial power but he had many friends. At the time of his death he held the office of High Priest in the Church.
William Aaron Gay - Patriarchal Blessing
A Patriarchal Blessing given by Albert Jones, Aug. 1, 1915, upon the head of William Aaron Gay, the son of Aaron and Emeline Packet (Paquette) Gay, born 27 Dec. 1872 at Spanish Fork, Utah Co., Utah.
Brother William Aaron Gay, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I lay my hands upon your head according to your request to bless you with a Patriarchal Blessing and I bless you with health and strength, with energy and strength, that you may be physically fit to perform your labors, and that your mind may expand to understand the granduer of the Gospel and its wide scope which it has for the salvation of the children of men, both in the present life and in the future.
I bless thee with wisdom, with financial ability and executive skill and administrative force, that thou mayest govern and direct thy family in the path of truth and in those lines that will make them of value in the service of the Lord.
I bless thee that thou mayest have good judgment, that justice and mercy may characterize thine actions and thy thought in dealing with thy fellow man, that thy soul may be led out to throughly understand the business of this life and that thou may be blest with plenty for the sustenance of thy family. Be of good cheer, thy power for the doing of good shall be increased. Be wise, be honest and meet every obligation both of spiritual and of temporal nature and God shall prosper thee in the way thou goeth, and men shall hold thy name in honor.
Defend the truth and thy tongue shall be loosed to utter such words that shall bring joy to thy soul and steady thine own feet more firmly in the principles of the Gospel, be liberal and liberally shall thou receive.
Thou are of Ephraim the favored son of Joseph, and if thou are faithful, entitled to all the blessings of that favored race. I seal thee up against the power of the destroyer, and sickness and disease shall not overtake thee if thou art wise. Strength shall come to thy mind and thy judgment shall be clear and thy body shall be made strong if thou will observe the laws of life such as thou knowest thou should follow.
Brother William, I bless thee with all the power of the Priesthood conferred upon me by the voice of the people of this Stake of Zion. And pray God’s blessing upon thee, in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, even so, Amen.
Brother William Aaron Gay, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I lay my hands upon your head according to your request to bless you with a Patriarchal Blessing and I bless you with health and strength, with energy and strength, that you may be physically fit to perform your labors, and that your mind may expand to understand the granduer of the Gospel and its wide scope which it has for the salvation of the children of men, both in the present life and in the future.
I bless thee with wisdom, with financial ability and executive skill and administrative force, that thou mayest govern and direct thy family in the path of truth and in those lines that will make them of value in the service of the Lord.
I bless thee that thou mayest have good judgment, that justice and mercy may characterize thine actions and thy thought in dealing with thy fellow man, that thy soul may be led out to throughly understand the business of this life and that thou may be blest with plenty for the sustenance of thy family. Be of good cheer, thy power for the doing of good shall be increased. Be wise, be honest and meet every obligation both of spiritual and of temporal nature and God shall prosper thee in the way thou goeth, and men shall hold thy name in honor.
Defend the truth and thy tongue shall be loosed to utter such words that shall bring joy to thy soul and steady thine own feet more firmly in the principles of the Gospel, be liberal and liberally shall thou receive.
Thou are of Ephraim the favored son of Joseph, and if thou are faithful, entitled to all the blessings of that favored race. I seal thee up against the power of the destroyer, and sickness and disease shall not overtake thee if thou art wise. Strength shall come to thy mind and thy judgment shall be clear and thy body shall be made strong if thou will observe the laws of life such as thou knowest thou should follow.
Brother William, I bless thee with all the power of the Priesthood conferred upon me by the voice of the people of this Stake of Zion. And pray God’s blessing upon thee, in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, even so, Amen.
Clara Ann Page Stewart Gay
by Laurel Ann Gay Gibson
My mother, Clara Ann Page Stewart Gay, was born on Nov. 25, 1874 at Provo, Utah. Her people were sturdy pioneer stock, her grandmother coming to this country from England. She was a widow with two small daughters. It was while living in St. Louis that she was again widowed.
When the saints crossed the plains she brought her own prairie schooner and supplies and hiring a teamster crossed the plains, with her two small children (this was Lydia Ann Hicks Page). Lydia arrived in ut Lake City, Utah in 1862 and later drove her own ox team to Provo. Lydia’s daughter, Julia Ann Page Stewart, was Clara’s mother.
My Mother’s father, Louis Stewart, crossed the plains several times to help bring the saints to Utah. Of such sturdy stock my mother came.
She lived at a time when conditions were most depressing and being the eldest of 5 children, four girls and one boy, she had to help out as much as possible. Her people were thrifty and industrious, but everyone had his share to do, so at the age of 10 she went out to do housework. For the next 10 years she helped out as best she could, getting her schooling between times. My mother was a very beautiful girl. My father’s sister tells me she was the most beautiful person she had ever seen with large blue eyes, brown hair and a most lovely pink and white complexion. Her pictures show her as beautiful and it is no wonder my father fell in love with her at first sight.
She was visiting her cousin in Lake Shore, Utah at the time. He was rather shy and could not bring himself to ask her to marry him so when she went home he sent a letter he had copied from a magazine asking her to marry him. She was insulted and told him by letter. He finally mustered up the courage and rode 18 miles on horseback to ask her.
She told him she wouldn’t marry him unless he would go to the temple. That stopped things for a time, but finally dad decided if he wanted her he would have to comply with her wish and so on Jan. 30, 1895 they were married in the Salt Lake Temple. There were 8 children born. One of them dying at the age of six months (John William Gay).
Mother was a great influence for good on my father’s life. Through her constant faith and prayers she kept him in the gospel. He always gave mother credit for his being the kind of man he was.
Two weeks after her marriage, mother had typhoid fever and from then on she had one serious illness after another. She had some of the most serious sick spells one could have and not die. She was promised that she wouldn’t die. Before our last brother was born she knew she would die. On going to the dedication of the 2nd Ward Chapel she met one the the apostles who came for it. As the people passed out of the church everyone shook hands with him. When it came to mother, he took her hand and said, ‘Bless you dear sister, you shall live to have your children’s children call you blessed’. This she surely did.
Mother never had much of the material wealth of life, but she was always good to her family and waited on them hand and foot. I always have said she did too much for us. If her sisters family’s were ill it was always ‘send for Aunt Clara’, and if she was well she always vent. In later life when her grandchildren were ill, she went to them if she was able and helped take care of them.
Mothers life was one of service to her fellowmen and what more can be said of one then that he helped his fellow man. Christ set our example of this.
If anyone of her family were in need of food and she had any, she gave it to them if she went without herself. I have scolded her .ore than once on account of it and told her that was why she never had much herself.
Mother had three great sorrows in her life. Losing her son was one (Johnny), losing father was another, and my brother not being able to do the things he should was the third. She always said to lose one’s mate was the most tragic thing in the world. To lose father, mother and son were bad enough, but a husband was infinitely worse.
Mother was ill six weeks before dad died. One night, about two weeks before my fathers death, I was sleeping with her and she seemed to be in such agony. I raised her up and she said, ‘The spirit said when you're about to die...’. This she repeated several times and finally she said she had been climbing a high mountain. There were two lines of people on the mountainside, one going up and the other coming down. She said she and someone else were going up. When she reached the top she was told that she must go back and the others were to go on. She came back but in about two weeks my father died so we have always thought he was the one to go on.
Mother lived twenty three years after the apostle promised her that she would live to hear her children’s children call her blessed. She lived 6 years after the time father passed on.
Mother was first aid in the first camp of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers in the Grand View Ward. She was also in the Presidency of the Primary, and the Relief Society block sister teacher for several years. She worked in the temple for her dead ancestors.
Mother was always a home woman. She regretted not having as good an education as my father. Mother suffered for 16 long months before her death, but she loved life so she wouldn’t give up. She lived three days after she told me she was no longer afraid to die.
She never believed fully in tithing but after dad died and before her death she paid tithing on ever cent she received. The Bishop remarked that he couldn’t see how she could think of tithing when she was so ill.
She died 3 March 1935. Just 16 years to the day after moving on the farm in Grandview Ward.
(This is a copy taken from the original writing of my Aunt Laurel Gay Gibson, pertaining to her mothers and my grandmothers history. Copied by Joyce Gay Johnson, grand daughter to Clara Ann.)
My mother, Clara Ann Page Stewart Gay, was born on Nov. 25, 1874 at Provo, Utah. Her people were sturdy pioneer stock, her grandmother coming to this country from England. She was a widow with two small daughters. It was while living in St. Louis that she was again widowed.
When the saints crossed the plains she brought her own prairie schooner and supplies and hiring a teamster crossed the plains, with her two small children (this was Lydia Ann Hicks Page). Lydia arrived in ut Lake City, Utah in 1862 and later drove her own ox team to Provo. Lydia’s daughter, Julia Ann Page Stewart, was Clara’s mother.
My Mother’s father, Louis Stewart, crossed the plains several times to help bring the saints to Utah. Of such sturdy stock my mother came.
She lived at a time when conditions were most depressing and being the eldest of 5 children, four girls and one boy, she had to help out as much as possible. Her people were thrifty and industrious, but everyone had his share to do, so at the age of 10 she went out to do housework. For the next 10 years she helped out as best she could, getting her schooling between times. My mother was a very beautiful girl. My father’s sister tells me she was the most beautiful person she had ever seen with large blue eyes, brown hair and a most lovely pink and white complexion. Her pictures show her as beautiful and it is no wonder my father fell in love with her at first sight.
She was visiting her cousin in Lake Shore, Utah at the time. He was rather shy and could not bring himself to ask her to marry him so when she went home he sent a letter he had copied from a magazine asking her to marry him. She was insulted and told him by letter. He finally mustered up the courage and rode 18 miles on horseback to ask her.
She told him she wouldn’t marry him unless he would go to the temple. That stopped things for a time, but finally dad decided if he wanted her he would have to comply with her wish and so on Jan. 30, 1895 they were married in the Salt Lake Temple. There were 8 children born. One of them dying at the age of six months (John William Gay).
Mother was a great influence for good on my father’s life. Through her constant faith and prayers she kept him in the gospel. He always gave mother credit for his being the kind of man he was.
Two weeks after her marriage, mother had typhoid fever and from then on she had one serious illness after another. She had some of the most serious sick spells one could have and not die. She was promised that she wouldn’t die. Before our last brother was born she knew she would die. On going to the dedication of the 2nd Ward Chapel she met one the the apostles who came for it. As the people passed out of the church everyone shook hands with him. When it came to mother, he took her hand and said, ‘Bless you dear sister, you shall live to have your children’s children call you blessed’. This she surely did.
Mother never had much of the material wealth of life, but she was always good to her family and waited on them hand and foot. I always have said she did too much for us. If her sisters family’s were ill it was always ‘send for Aunt Clara’, and if she was well she always vent. In later life when her grandchildren were ill, she went to them if she was able and helped take care of them.
Mothers life was one of service to her fellowmen and what more can be said of one then that he helped his fellow man. Christ set our example of this.
If anyone of her family were in need of food and she had any, she gave it to them if she went without herself. I have scolded her .ore than once on account of it and told her that was why she never had much herself.
Mother had three great sorrows in her life. Losing her son was one (Johnny), losing father was another, and my brother not being able to do the things he should was the third. She always said to lose one’s mate was the most tragic thing in the world. To lose father, mother and son were bad enough, but a husband was infinitely worse.
Mother was ill six weeks before dad died. One night, about two weeks before my fathers death, I was sleeping with her and she seemed to be in such agony. I raised her up and she said, ‘The spirit said when you're about to die...’. This she repeated several times and finally she said she had been climbing a high mountain. There were two lines of people on the mountainside, one going up and the other coming down. She said she and someone else were going up. When she reached the top she was told that she must go back and the others were to go on. She came back but in about two weeks my father died so we have always thought he was the one to go on.
Mother lived twenty three years after the apostle promised her that she would live to hear her children’s children call her blessed. She lived 6 years after the time father passed on.
Mother was first aid in the first camp of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers in the Grand View Ward. She was also in the Presidency of the Primary, and the Relief Society block sister teacher for several years. She worked in the temple for her dead ancestors.
Mother was always a home woman. She regretted not having as good an education as my father. Mother suffered for 16 long months before her death, but she loved life so she wouldn’t give up. She lived three days after she told me she was no longer afraid to die.
She never believed fully in tithing but after dad died and before her death she paid tithing on ever cent she received. The Bishop remarked that he couldn’t see how she could think of tithing when she was so ill.
She died 3 March 1935. Just 16 years to the day after moving on the farm in Grandview Ward.
(This is a copy taken from the original writing of my Aunt Laurel Gay Gibson, pertaining to her mothers and my grandmothers history. Copied by Joyce Gay Johnson, grand daughter to Clara Ann.)
Clara Ann Stewart Gay - Patriarchal Blessing
A copy of the blessing given by Abel John Evens, Patriarch in Lehi, Utah 9 Feb. 1930 upon the head of Clara Ann Stewart Gay, daughter of Julia Page and Louis Stewart, born at Provo, Utah, 25 Nov. 1874.
Dear Sister Clara Stewart Gay. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the virtue and authority of the Holy Priesthood, I lay my hands upon thy head and give thee a Patriarchial Blessing as the Lord shall direct. Thy lineage is of Isreal through the loins of Ephriam, one whom the Lord loved, and by reason thereof the blood coursing in thy veins is royal and entitles thee to the blessings of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. Thy name is written in the Lambs Book of Life and if thou wilt continue to be faithful, it shall never be blotted out, neither erased from the records of the Church to which thou belongest. Thou should be exceedingly greatful that thy spirit was retained in yonder heaven where it was born and thou wast reserved because of having kept thy first estate to come forth in this generation of the world when God has established his work a new and given man authority to bind on earth and it shall be bound in Heaven, and to loose on earth and it shall be loosed in heaven. The greatest authority ever given to man since Jesus Christ, our Lord, was upon the earth.
The Lord is pleased with thy life, dear sister, because of thy love of Him and His son Jesus Christ, as well as the work He has established in this day and generation of the world, and inasmuch as thou hast had the privilege of entering into the house of the Lord and there preforming labor for thyself which shall be eternal, and if thou wilt continue to be faithful and keep the Word of Wisdom and be prudent in what thou shalt eat and drink, I bless thee that thy days shall be long upon the earth and the blessed heritage of thy offsprings shall never be blotted out, and thou shalt ever have a representative upon the earth to honor thy name to the latest generation. I bless thee that thou mayest live when the Lord shall smite the wicked by war, pestilance and famine, and thou shalt see them fall upon the right hand and upon the left hand, and thy heart shall go out in pity for them and thou canst do nothing but weep for God has decreed distruction for the wicked of the inhabitants of this land unless they come to repentance, for that has been the lot of nations who have inhabited this land before and refused to repent though the power of God was manifest in their presence.
I bless thee that thou mayest yet feed the hungry, cloth the naked, and administer unto the wants of the sick and afflicted and in as much as thou wilt be humble and meek before the Lord, the heavens shall be opened to thy cries and men and women be relieved of their distress because of thy humble petitions unto the Lord. Lift up thy head and rejoice for many happy days are before thee and angels shall go before thee and prepare thy way, both spiritually and temporally, for thy table shall never be barron.
Now, dear sister, take comfort and when thou shalt be troubled in thy heart and downcast in thy spirit take this blessing and read it and faith and comfort shall come unto thy soul, be reason of this blessing, because it is pronounced upon thy head through the authority and power of God.
I now seal thee to come forth in the morning of the first resurrection, crowned with glory, immortality and eternal life, to reign in the House of the Lord forever. These blessings are given unto thee and the promises made and conferred upon thee on condition of thy faithfulness to the Lord and those who preside over thee in the Church for I seal them upon thee by the Holy Evangelical calling which has been pronounced upon my head through ordination of the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Dear Sister Clara Stewart Gay. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the virtue and authority of the Holy Priesthood, I lay my hands upon thy head and give thee a Patriarchial Blessing as the Lord shall direct. Thy lineage is of Isreal through the loins of Ephriam, one whom the Lord loved, and by reason thereof the blood coursing in thy veins is royal and entitles thee to the blessings of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. Thy name is written in the Lambs Book of Life and if thou wilt continue to be faithful, it shall never be blotted out, neither erased from the records of the Church to which thou belongest. Thou should be exceedingly greatful that thy spirit was retained in yonder heaven where it was born and thou wast reserved because of having kept thy first estate to come forth in this generation of the world when God has established his work a new and given man authority to bind on earth and it shall be bound in Heaven, and to loose on earth and it shall be loosed in heaven. The greatest authority ever given to man since Jesus Christ, our Lord, was upon the earth.
The Lord is pleased with thy life, dear sister, because of thy love of Him and His son Jesus Christ, as well as the work He has established in this day and generation of the world, and inasmuch as thou hast had the privilege of entering into the house of the Lord and there preforming labor for thyself which shall be eternal, and if thou wilt continue to be faithful and keep the Word of Wisdom and be prudent in what thou shalt eat and drink, I bless thee that thy days shall be long upon the earth and the blessed heritage of thy offsprings shall never be blotted out, and thou shalt ever have a representative upon the earth to honor thy name to the latest generation. I bless thee that thou mayest live when the Lord shall smite the wicked by war, pestilance and famine, and thou shalt see them fall upon the right hand and upon the left hand, and thy heart shall go out in pity for them and thou canst do nothing but weep for God has decreed distruction for the wicked of the inhabitants of this land unless they come to repentance, for that has been the lot of nations who have inhabited this land before and refused to repent though the power of God was manifest in their presence.
I bless thee that thou mayest yet feed the hungry, cloth the naked, and administer unto the wants of the sick and afflicted and in as much as thou wilt be humble and meek before the Lord, the heavens shall be opened to thy cries and men and women be relieved of their distress because of thy humble petitions unto the Lord. Lift up thy head and rejoice for many happy days are before thee and angels shall go before thee and prepare thy way, both spiritually and temporally, for thy table shall never be barron.
Now, dear sister, take comfort and when thou shalt be troubled in thy heart and downcast in thy spirit take this blessing and read it and faith and comfort shall come unto thy soul, be reason of this blessing, because it is pronounced upon thy head through the authority and power of God.
I now seal thee to come forth in the morning of the first resurrection, crowned with glory, immortality and eternal life, to reign in the House of the Lord forever. These blessings are given unto thee and the promises made and conferred upon thee on condition of thy faithfulness to the Lord and those who preside over thee in the Church for I seal them upon thee by the Holy Evangelical calling which has been pronounced upon my head through ordination of the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Laurel Ann Gay Gibson
by Joyce, Gloria, and Donna
Many of us California cousins never really got to know Aunt Laurel and Uncle Larry until we came back to Provo to go to B.Y.U.. We do remember both of them from the family vacations we took with Mom & Dad, as kids. Uncle Larry would play ‘clap—clap—curtsy’ with us and as he curtsied, he would pull the sides of his slacks out and bow. He was very caring with kids. He always gave us sticks of gum. We all grew to love them both, dearly.
We remember the BIG weeping willow tree in their back yard and how much fun we had rolling down their hill. We also played many pretend games on top of the cement top that covered their root cellar.
Remember how Aunt Laurel would always plant pansies because that was Uncle Larry’s favorite flower? We can still see dad (Grant) and Uncle Larry switching hats and smiling for the camera’s. Dad looked weird with this little bitty hat on his head and Uncle Larry looked even more weird wearing dad’s hat that was too big and it would end up resting on his ears.
Can you remember how many hours were spent raking up the leaves on her lawn? Gloria remembers when the large plastic garbage bags first came out and how excited Aunt Laurel was to get some. She had the ability at getting excited over small things. She sent money in to the Temples for years so the work could be done for many souls. She had a wonderful testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. She always wanted to live until the Savior came. She would have dreams where her Dad and Uncle Larry would be riding in a buggy and pull up and stop the horses by her bedroom window. They would want her to come go with them, and she would say she wasn’t ready to go yet.
She had great respect for the Priesthood. She would have awful sick spells and when she felt real bad she would put her hand on the place on the bed where Uncle Larry used to lay and say a prayer. Then she would feel better.
She was also a character. Sometimes, while you were visiting with her, she would let out with a awful scream. It would startle you so. She would get these terrible leg cramps and you would think she was dying with pain. You’d try and help by getting a bowl full of cold water and she would place her foot in it and soon the pain would go away. No matter how many times you saw her go through this, it always was very alarming.
She was a great story teller and had a wonderful sense of humor. You always came away from her house feeling happier then when you entered into it. She was a very grateful person and gave Thanks to the Lord often for her many blessings.
We remember this one time that she told us she hadn’t talked to this lady for 35 years. When we asked her why, she didn’t remember, but she knew it was for a very good reason.
One thing that Aunt Laurel seemed to always do is tell you how bad she was feeling. That usually lasted about 10 minutes then you’d ask her if she wanted to go for a ride, and she would scurry to get ready to go with you. We always kidded that she would probably get off her death bed to go for a ‘ride’.
Donna remembers visiting Aunt Laurel so many times that Aunt Laurels Ward gave her a calling in the Sunday School. She had been very faithful in her service to the Lord. She always credited Uncle Larry on his support as she served. She had a great love of youth and seemed to be their great defender. You only had to be at her house around the holidays to see all the happy going on’s. Return missionaries would come see her and loved her for teaching them in Sunday School and never giving up on them. She would have many cards, plates of goodies, and many visitors. She would smile and laugh a lot, then have to pay the price by having to stay down for the next couple of days because it was hard on her.
We don’t know how much land Aunt Laurel and Uncle Larry donated to the Church, but it was a bunch. We believe at least 3 homes were built on property they donated, and when these homes were sold, they monies were given to the Ward for the Ward building fund. The Church building built right next to their home at 1074 N. 850 W. was built on the acreage that they donated to the Church. Uncle Larry’s job was to keep time on the hours donated by ward members, to build these houses. Yet, when they died, they had very little of the material things of life. We remember her eating T.V. dinners and having a cardboard table in her kitchen. I do believe the only regret she might have had was when they built the Church next door, they cut of f her view of Mt. Timpanogos that she loved so dearly.
As you read through this book, you will see that she wrote many histories about her family. She had a great commitment for family and always encouraged all of us in whatever we choose to do.
She loved the song ‘The Bridge Builder’ and wanted it sung at her funeral. At her funeral, as they took the casket out to the waiting car, the path was lined with Primary children holding daffodils. I’m sure that pleased her very much. They both had spent most of their time loving and doing for others. They were like second parents to many of us.
Many of us California cousins never really got to know Aunt Laurel and Uncle Larry until we came back to Provo to go to B.Y.U.. We do remember both of them from the family vacations we took with Mom & Dad, as kids. Uncle Larry would play ‘clap—clap—curtsy’ with us and as he curtsied, he would pull the sides of his slacks out and bow. He was very caring with kids. He always gave us sticks of gum. We all grew to love them both, dearly.
We remember the BIG weeping willow tree in their back yard and how much fun we had rolling down their hill. We also played many pretend games on top of the cement top that covered their root cellar.
Remember how Aunt Laurel would always plant pansies because that was Uncle Larry’s favorite flower? We can still see dad (Grant) and Uncle Larry switching hats and smiling for the camera’s. Dad looked weird with this little bitty hat on his head and Uncle Larry looked even more weird wearing dad’s hat that was too big and it would end up resting on his ears.
Can you remember how many hours were spent raking up the leaves on her lawn? Gloria remembers when the large plastic garbage bags first came out and how excited Aunt Laurel was to get some. She had the ability at getting excited over small things. She sent money in to the Temples for years so the work could be done for many souls. She had a wonderful testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. She always wanted to live until the Savior came. She would have dreams where her Dad and Uncle Larry would be riding in a buggy and pull up and stop the horses by her bedroom window. They would want her to come go with them, and she would say she wasn’t ready to go yet.
She had great respect for the Priesthood. She would have awful sick spells and when she felt real bad she would put her hand on the place on the bed where Uncle Larry used to lay and say a prayer. Then she would feel better.
She was also a character. Sometimes, while you were visiting with her, she would let out with a awful scream. It would startle you so. She would get these terrible leg cramps and you would think she was dying with pain. You’d try and help by getting a bowl full of cold water and she would place her foot in it and soon the pain would go away. No matter how many times you saw her go through this, it always was very alarming.
She was a great story teller and had a wonderful sense of humor. You always came away from her house feeling happier then when you entered into it. She was a very grateful person and gave Thanks to the Lord often for her many blessings.
We remember this one time that she told us she hadn’t talked to this lady for 35 years. When we asked her why, she didn’t remember, but she knew it was for a very good reason.
One thing that Aunt Laurel seemed to always do is tell you how bad she was feeling. That usually lasted about 10 minutes then you’d ask her if she wanted to go for a ride, and she would scurry to get ready to go with you. We always kidded that she would probably get off her death bed to go for a ‘ride’.
Donna remembers visiting Aunt Laurel so many times that Aunt Laurels Ward gave her a calling in the Sunday School. She had been very faithful in her service to the Lord. She always credited Uncle Larry on his support as she served. She had a great love of youth and seemed to be their great defender. You only had to be at her house around the holidays to see all the happy going on’s. Return missionaries would come see her and loved her for teaching them in Sunday School and never giving up on them. She would have many cards, plates of goodies, and many visitors. She would smile and laugh a lot, then have to pay the price by having to stay down for the next couple of days because it was hard on her.
We don’t know how much land Aunt Laurel and Uncle Larry donated to the Church, but it was a bunch. We believe at least 3 homes were built on property they donated, and when these homes were sold, they monies were given to the Ward for the Ward building fund. The Church building built right next to their home at 1074 N. 850 W. was built on the acreage that they donated to the Church. Uncle Larry’s job was to keep time on the hours donated by ward members, to build these houses. Yet, when they died, they had very little of the material things of life. We remember her eating T.V. dinners and having a cardboard table in her kitchen. I do believe the only regret she might have had was when they built the Church next door, they cut of f her view of Mt. Timpanogos that she loved so dearly.
As you read through this book, you will see that she wrote many histories about her family. She had a great commitment for family and always encouraged all of us in whatever we choose to do.
She loved the song ‘The Bridge Builder’ and wanted it sung at her funeral. At her funeral, as they took the casket out to the waiting car, the path was lined with Primary children holding daffodils. I’m sure that pleased her very much. They both had spent most of their time loving and doing for others. They were like second parents to many of us.
Laurel Ann Gay Gibson
By Charles Elwood Gay II
Though I had met my Aunt Laurel as a child, I didn’t really get to know her until I went to school at B.Y.U. in 1974. As I’m sure anyone else would say who knew her, I love Aunt Laurel. She had the sweetest most endearing personality, while at the same time was a very witty character.
I spent many Sunday afternoons at Laurel’s listening to story after story of family experiences, and her many experiences in the Church.
When I came to Provo in 1974 I drove a beautifully restored 1954 Plymouth, all the way from California. I had absolutely no problems with it as I drove it across the deserts of Nevada, and on through to Utah. The car was my pride and joy.
Well, one afternoon I mentioned to Laurel that I had never been to Heber City. I told her that I would like to drive up there and asked her if she would like to come along. She told me that the altitude was much higher there than down in Provo, and if she went we couldn’t stay long because of her bad heart. I agreed that we would make a quick trip of it and we were soon on our way. Up the canyon we wound until we crossed the dam at Deer Creek Reservoir. As we crossed the dam we came upon a large curve to the left, where there is a cliff running along the right side of the road and a long drop—off into the lake on the left. In the middle of my lane was a large rock. It all happened so quick and I made a quick judge ment and felt that my car would pass over the rock between the tire and the engine. I thought I had sufficient clearance, but the rock hit dead center in the middle of the oil pan. I hadn’t wanted to swerve the car as I knew it would shake up Aunt Laurel. Well the rock hitting the engine really shook her up. As I stopped the car, and asked her if she was airight, she grabbed her chest, and breathing very heavily said that she immediately needed to get to lower altitude...back down into the valley in a hurry! I quickly swung under the car and saw oil gushing out of the oil pan with each stroke of the engine.
I remembered having seen a pay phone on the other side of the dam. I quickly swung the car around, and went to the pay phone to call a tow truck. I knew that if I attemped to drive several miles to the valley, the car would be totaled.
As I flipped through the yellow pages, I looked over at the car. Laurel was motioning me back. I ran over and again she said she had to get down, NOW! Well, I had to make a quick decision, it was either my cherished car, or my Aunt Laurel. Which was more important?
I hopped in the car and we drove down, and the sound of the engine grew louder and louder as it quickly lost it’s lubrication. The piston rings, the bearings, all moving parts were scrapping and grinding, and finally came to a stop as we came to a small rise and the valley came into view a short distance off.
I got out, pushed the heap to the side of the road and immediately a pick up truck pulled over. (I later sold the car for #35.00.) Within a few short minutes we were at Laurel’s house. The most traumatic part of the ordeal for her was that the man in the pickup had a pistol in a holster sitting on the seat. That didn’t even affect me. I was just thankful to see Aunt Laurel breathing at a normal pace again, and knowing that all would be well with her.
This was a great experience for me. Not only was I brought closer to Laurel, but I learned a great lesson. I had been somewhat materialistic, placing more value in things than in people. I was taught that the greatest value in life is the relationship with those whom we love.
Though I had met my Aunt Laurel as a child, I didn’t really get to know her until I went to school at B.Y.U. in 1974. As I’m sure anyone else would say who knew her, I love Aunt Laurel. She had the sweetest most endearing personality, while at the same time was a very witty character.
I spent many Sunday afternoons at Laurel’s listening to story after story of family experiences, and her many experiences in the Church.
When I came to Provo in 1974 I drove a beautifully restored 1954 Plymouth, all the way from California. I had absolutely no problems with it as I drove it across the deserts of Nevada, and on through to Utah. The car was my pride and joy.
Well, one afternoon I mentioned to Laurel that I had never been to Heber City. I told her that I would like to drive up there and asked her if she would like to come along. She told me that the altitude was much higher there than down in Provo, and if she went we couldn’t stay long because of her bad heart. I agreed that we would make a quick trip of it and we were soon on our way. Up the canyon we wound until we crossed the dam at Deer Creek Reservoir. As we crossed the dam we came upon a large curve to the left, where there is a cliff running along the right side of the road and a long drop—off into the lake on the left. In the middle of my lane was a large rock. It all happened so quick and I made a quick judge ment and felt that my car would pass over the rock between the tire and the engine. I thought I had sufficient clearance, but the rock hit dead center in the middle of the oil pan. I hadn’t wanted to swerve the car as I knew it would shake up Aunt Laurel. Well the rock hitting the engine really shook her up. As I stopped the car, and asked her if she was airight, she grabbed her chest, and breathing very heavily said that she immediately needed to get to lower altitude...back down into the valley in a hurry! I quickly swung under the car and saw oil gushing out of the oil pan with each stroke of the engine.
I remembered having seen a pay phone on the other side of the dam. I quickly swung the car around, and went to the pay phone to call a tow truck. I knew that if I attemped to drive several miles to the valley, the car would be totaled.
As I flipped through the yellow pages, I looked over at the car. Laurel was motioning me back. I ran over and again she said she had to get down, NOW! Well, I had to make a quick decision, it was either my cherished car, or my Aunt Laurel. Which was more important?
I hopped in the car and we drove down, and the sound of the engine grew louder and louder as it quickly lost it’s lubrication. The piston rings, the bearings, all moving parts were scrapping and grinding, and finally came to a stop as we came to a small rise and the valley came into view a short distance off.
I got out, pushed the heap to the side of the road and immediately a pick up truck pulled over. (I later sold the car for #35.00.) Within a few short minutes we were at Laurel’s house. The most traumatic part of the ordeal for her was that the man in the pickup had a pistol in a holster sitting on the seat. That didn’t even affect me. I was just thankful to see Aunt Laurel breathing at a normal pace again, and knowing that all would be well with her.
This was a great experience for me. Not only was I brought closer to Laurel, but I learned a great lesson. I had been somewhat materialistic, placing more value in things than in people. I was taught that the greatest value in life is the relationship with those whom we love.
Laurel Ann Gay Gibson
by Betty Gay Lillie
What I remember about: Aunt Laurel is when she came to visit us in California. I was about 12 or 13 then. She had a peaceful presence about her, a serenity. She had charisma. You wanted to be where she was just to feel her quiet spirit. She was one of the most loving people I’ve ever known and I only saw her on 2 maybe 3 occasions but she made a powerful impression on me. I have often wished that I had known her when I was older so I could see if my feelings were real. It seemed almost magical when we visited her home in Utah when I was ten.
Her home was so interesting. I remember rolling down a hill in her yard. My feeling about Aunt Laurel was that she had a Christ—like love and acceptance of people. She seemed genuinely interested in me as a person.
What I remember about: Aunt Laurel is when she came to visit us in California. I was about 12 or 13 then. She had a peaceful presence about her, a serenity. She had charisma. You wanted to be where she was just to feel her quiet spirit. She was one of the most loving people I’ve ever known and I only saw her on 2 maybe 3 occasions but she made a powerful impression on me. I have often wished that I had known her when I was older so I could see if my feelings were real. It seemed almost magical when we visited her home in Utah when I was ten.
Her home was so interesting. I remember rolling down a hill in her yard. My feeling about Aunt Laurel was that she had a Christ—like love and acceptance of people. She seemed genuinely interested in me as a person.
Charles Elwood Gay
by Charles Elwood Gay II July 3, 1990
My father, Charles Elwood Gay, was born Aug. 29, 1908 in Provo, UT. I've been proud to carry his name as my own, as has my own son, Charles Elwood Gay III. My father loved me very much and there was a great bond forged between us which will endure through the eternities.
On Dec. 26, 1967, my father passed away from heart failure. I was only 13 at the time and it broke my heart. It has been over 23 years now and I still haven't totally gotten over it. My father had been sick for several years, and had been hospitalized several times previously with hear problems. However, even though his death was not a total surprise, it was a very traumatic experience for a 13-year-old boy who was closer to his father than most kids.
My father was not a perfect example to me and my brothers and sister, nor am I a perfect example to my children. Though born under the covenant, baptized as a child and taught the principles of the gospel in his home, my father chose not to live the gospel. Though I know little of his early life, he seems to have had a very independent and somewhat rebellious streak. He often told a story of how he was scared out of going to Church. When he was around 12 years old, at the end of a large Church meeting, it was announced that he would be giving the closing prayer. He had no previous warning and it upset him badly. He often referred to this experience when we asked why he wouldn't go to Church with us.
I remember many special family times with my father. He always made Christmas special for us. thought we had little money, we always had gifts at Christmas, and it was a special time to be together. My father loved to bar-b-que, and I loved to help him. I can vividly remember mixing the bar-g-que sauce for him, wrapping the potatoes, in aluminum foil, and running between the kitchen and patio for any needs he had. I love to bar-b-que also, and I love to eat out, and just eat in general. These things I picked up from my father. We occasionally went out to dinner as a family when the budget would allow it. I loved to go to San Francisco with my Dad. He often had work there and it gave us the opportunity to visit there frequently. This is something I often do with my family, as my work also takes me there from time to time.
My family was a very affectionate man. His kids knew he loved them. Hugs and kisses were a big part of family life. As I got to know Dad's family better as a college student at B.Y.U. I learned that this show of affection was a family trait. I am happy my father passed this along to me. I know my kids have no doubt they are loved as they receive this same affection daily, and are told they are loved by their parents. I'll always be grateful that I hugged and kissed my dad the last time I saw him. I had no idea it would the last time in this life.
I recently had the opportunity to talk to my Mom (Elaine) about my dad. She said that he was a very handsome man with a charismatic personality. Both she and my father had previously been married. Both were single when they met in Redding, Calif. in 1948. At the time Dad worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad, and around 1953 changed his occupation to a sprinkler fitter where he worked with his brother Grant in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Around this time my folks were living in San Jose, Calif. near Dad’s sister Maud. Bless her heart, Maud sent over the missionaries and Mom and my sister Betty joined the Church. I was born shortly thereafter in 1954, and we 3 boys were each baptized when we were 8 years old.
Dad rarely attended Church, but I know he was proud of his heritage and felt it was very important that his children were active in the Church. He saw to it that we attended our Church activities.
Asking my mother what good things my father would like to be remembered for she said that he was a very intelligent and sensitive man. He loved his children very much, and helped bathe and care for them as babies and small children. He was especially sensitive to their needs when they were ill and would stay up with her doctoring and caring for them all night if necessary.
He taught his children the value of work, and that everyone should work for his keep. Each person had to do his chores. He was very generous (when money was available) in buying things for his family, and liked to take them out when possible. Only one grandchild was born prior to his death, Andrew Lillie, whom he loved very much. He now has fifteen grandchildren and two great—grandchildren.
I am eternally grateful for the pioneer heritage my father passed on to me. We come from a great line of people and a wonderful family. Through my father the gospel has come to me and my family. I know this pleases my father greatly.
The night my father passed away I had an unforgettable experience that has had a far-reaching impact upon me and my family. My mother and 2 brothers and I had been out of town and were returning home in the early evening. I suddenly announced to the family that I was going on a mission. I went on and on about it. I was very excited. It was something I had never really talked much about before, but at this time I was suddenly very animated about it. I was boring everyone with my excitement after a while, SO I shut up. Later that night we arrived home to discover Dad had passed away earlier that day. Several days later it occurred to me that through the spirit of the Holy Ghost, one of Dad’s dying wishes was that I go on a mission. I set a definite goal at that time, one which could have easily been blocked by many barriers, but a goal that I gratefully accomplished. I thank my Dad for inspiring me to reach this goal which has been the source of a multitude of blessings for me and my family.
My father’s temple work was done on March 12, 1970 in the Oakland Temple. I feel he is growing in the gospel in the spirit world and I earnestly look forward to seeing him again.
My father, Charles Elwood Gay, was born Aug. 29, 1908 in Provo, UT. I've been proud to carry his name as my own, as has my own son, Charles Elwood Gay III. My father loved me very much and there was a great bond forged between us which will endure through the eternities.
On Dec. 26, 1967, my father passed away from heart failure. I was only 13 at the time and it broke my heart. It has been over 23 years now and I still haven't totally gotten over it. My father had been sick for several years, and had been hospitalized several times previously with hear problems. However, even though his death was not a total surprise, it was a very traumatic experience for a 13-year-old boy who was closer to his father than most kids.
My father was not a perfect example to me and my brothers and sister, nor am I a perfect example to my children. Though born under the covenant, baptized as a child and taught the principles of the gospel in his home, my father chose not to live the gospel. Though I know little of his early life, he seems to have had a very independent and somewhat rebellious streak. He often told a story of how he was scared out of going to Church. When he was around 12 years old, at the end of a large Church meeting, it was announced that he would be giving the closing prayer. He had no previous warning and it upset him badly. He often referred to this experience when we asked why he wouldn't go to Church with us.
I remember many special family times with my father. He always made Christmas special for us. thought we had little money, we always had gifts at Christmas, and it was a special time to be together. My father loved to bar-b-que, and I loved to help him. I can vividly remember mixing the bar-g-que sauce for him, wrapping the potatoes, in aluminum foil, and running between the kitchen and patio for any needs he had. I love to bar-b-que also, and I love to eat out, and just eat in general. These things I picked up from my father. We occasionally went out to dinner as a family when the budget would allow it. I loved to go to San Francisco with my Dad. He often had work there and it gave us the opportunity to visit there frequently. This is something I often do with my family, as my work also takes me there from time to time.
My family was a very affectionate man. His kids knew he loved them. Hugs and kisses were a big part of family life. As I got to know Dad's family better as a college student at B.Y.U. I learned that this show of affection was a family trait. I am happy my father passed this along to me. I know my kids have no doubt they are loved as they receive this same affection daily, and are told they are loved by their parents. I'll always be grateful that I hugged and kissed my dad the last time I saw him. I had no idea it would the last time in this life.
I recently had the opportunity to talk to my Mom (Elaine) about my dad. She said that he was a very handsome man with a charismatic personality. Both she and my father had previously been married. Both were single when they met in Redding, Calif. in 1948. At the time Dad worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad, and around 1953 changed his occupation to a sprinkler fitter where he worked with his brother Grant in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Around this time my folks were living in San Jose, Calif. near Dad’s sister Maud. Bless her heart, Maud sent over the missionaries and Mom and my sister Betty joined the Church. I was born shortly thereafter in 1954, and we 3 boys were each baptized when we were 8 years old.
Dad rarely attended Church, but I know he was proud of his heritage and felt it was very important that his children were active in the Church. He saw to it that we attended our Church activities.
Asking my mother what good things my father would like to be remembered for she said that he was a very intelligent and sensitive man. He loved his children very much, and helped bathe and care for them as babies and small children. He was especially sensitive to their needs when they were ill and would stay up with her doctoring and caring for them all night if necessary.
He taught his children the value of work, and that everyone should work for his keep. Each person had to do his chores. He was very generous (when money was available) in buying things for his family, and liked to take them out when possible. Only one grandchild was born prior to his death, Andrew Lillie, whom he loved very much. He now has fifteen grandchildren and two great—grandchildren.
I am eternally grateful for the pioneer heritage my father passed on to me. We come from a great line of people and a wonderful family. Through my father the gospel has come to me and my family. I know this pleases my father greatly.
The night my father passed away I had an unforgettable experience that has had a far-reaching impact upon me and my family. My mother and 2 brothers and I had been out of town and were returning home in the early evening. I suddenly announced to the family that I was going on a mission. I went on and on about it. I was very excited. It was something I had never really talked much about before, but at this time I was suddenly very animated about it. I was boring everyone with my excitement after a while, SO I shut up. Later that night we arrived home to discover Dad had passed away earlier that day. Several days later it occurred to me that through the spirit of the Holy Ghost, one of Dad’s dying wishes was that I go on a mission. I set a definite goal at that time, one which could have easily been blocked by many barriers, but a goal that I gratefully accomplished. I thank my Dad for inspiring me to reach this goal which has been the source of a multitude of blessings for me and my family.
My father’s temple work was done on March 12, 1970 in the Oakland Temple. I feel he is growing in the gospel in the spirit world and I earnestly look forward to seeing him again.
Adelbert Aaron Gay
by His Three Daughters
This is a record of the life of Adelbert Aaron Gay, known as Del Gay, by his daughters, Zella Renee Gay Edwards, JoAnn Gay Johnson and Gaylene Gay Roylance. Dad was born in Provo, Utah on June 23 1906 and died on April 14, 1988 in Provo, Utah. He was born to William Aaron and Clara Ann Stewart Gay. He married Merl Ianez Knudsen in Heber City, Utah on April 13, 1928. Their marriage was solemnized in the Mesa, Arizona Temple on February 7, 1939 at which time all three girls were sealed for all time and eternity to their parents. He received his education in the Provo and Orem school systems. However he never finished high school formally due to other pressing career demands; he was playing semi—pro baseball and working full time at the Provo Post Office and courting mother. He was a pitcher for the Provo Timps ball club.
During his career he won many awards as outstanding pitcher of the season and also for pitching so many shutouts. He owned and operated the Merl Del Dairy for many years. The name of the dairy and later an exotic game bird business, was derived by combining both mother and dad’s names. When he retired from the dairy business he sold it to Cream of Weber Dairy. Because he was such a young man at this time he worked for Cream of Weber until he was 65 when he retired a second time. During his tenure with Cream of Weber it seemed as though he didn’t have enough to do, so it was at this time that he decided to build an exotic game bird business. He did this and sold birds all over the world for 17 years. He made more money at his ‘part time’ job than he did at his job with the dairy. As with all of his business ventures the whole family became involved in helping him prepare for his show time and competition with his birds. Gaylene and JoAnn and their families would spend hours scrubbing the feet of the birds, tying their feet, trimming their bills, and carefully putting them in nylon stockings for transporting to Salt Lake to the State bird show. We all saved nylon stockings all year. JoAnn and her family and Gaylene and Keith used to drive all over the State from St. George to North Ogden to Vernal to take birds and eggs to various places for sale and incubation. Rushing to the airport to catch a flight to ship birds to some other destination became a tricky pass time.
One of dad’s earliest memories which he often related to us and to his grandchildren was when he was about 8 years old and he had his mother fix him a lunch as he was going to the old Provo Brickyard to get a job. When he arrived and asked the boss for a job he laughed at him and told him to come back in a few years. The next morning dad told his mother to fix him a lunch and he went to the brickyard again where the boss told him the same thing. The third morning he had his mother fix him a lunch again and he went back to the brickyard again. This time when the boss saw him he decided he’d better give him a job, which he did. Dad said that he was never without a job after that experience. Dad was always an animal lover. He loved cows and worked with them all his life. As a young child he had pigeons and one of his favorite animals was a big pig he dearly loved. One day his huge pig followed him right into the house and his mother, who was ironing, swatted him on the rear with the cord of the iron until he got the pig out of the house with the admonition that the pig was to remain outside forever. Another favorite story of his was about how one Christmas he received a shiny new hatchet and was chopping at a fence post to keep it sharp and tested. His little brother, Grant, came up and dad told him to put his finger on the post and he’d chop it off. Grant did as he was told and he chopped off most of his little finger. Uncle Grant still has a short finger. Another time dad was playing with a knife and managed to get Grant in the eye with it. Fortunately Grant survived.
As mentioned before he was a pitcher and he was invited to try out for one of the professional teams. He debated for sometime but decided to decline. He loved baseball all his life and was involved over the years in many professional and semi—pro, community, church, and family ball games. In his older years he suffered from much pain in his pitching shoulder and by the end of his life he had lost most of the use of his right arm completely. But he loved the game and played every chance he got until he couldn’t play anymore.
Dad was a workaholic. He owned his own dairy business and bred and milked some of the finest Jersey cows in the nation. He owned one especially outstanding animal who held many national and state records for the amount of butterfat in her milk. Her name was Spot and when she died we felt sure we would have to have a formal funeral because dad grieved so for her. Before he became the owner of his first dairy business he worked as a milk tester for the State. He tested every herd in Cache, Weber, Davis. Salt Lake, and Utah counties for about 5 years. He was also a salesman for Brampton Bull and Sons, from Toronto, Canada. He made many trips to Canada to move Jersey cattle out to the west. He was an expert on pedigreed animals whenever he dealt with them. On one trip back from Canada in a cattle car with some of his prime stock he brought back to us a darling red cockerspaniel named Daisy Mae who was a much loved member of the family for at least 15 years.
Dad had a delightful sense of humor. Some prime examples of it were seen when he would get prank phone calls and the caller would say, ‘Is Ben Gay (a popular pain rub) there?’ Dad would respond with 'Yes, but I always keep him locked up in the medicine cabinet.’ As dad aged he had a tumor removed and when he went in for a checkup with the doctor, he asked, ‘Well, Doc, do I have Aids yet?’ The doctor was flabbergasted because nothing had ever been mentioned about this new fatal, sexually transmitted disease common among homosexuals and intravenous drug users. The doctor wanted to know why he would even think he could have such an awful disease. Dad looked at him and said, ‘Well, I’ve been a ‘Gay’ for 80 years now, and I just wondered if I’d get it.' The doctor almost had to be scraped off the floor he laughed so hard. At one point in dad’s life he injured the bicep muscle in his right arm. The muscle pulled loose from the elbow joint and when he would bend his arm, put his thumb in his mouth and pretend he was blowing up that muscle just like ‘Popeye the Sailor Man’ everyone would laugh with glee. He always loved to tease the grandchildren during dinnertime on Sundays. He would always pick up the bowl with peas in it and say to the nearest child, ‘Do you want to pea?’ The child would start to say, ‘Yes’ and grandpa would say, ‘Don’t you know where the bathroom is?’
One of Renee’s earliest recollections of dad was going to baseball games, being in the stands with mom and cheering and being bored. She also remembers going to County and State Fairs and being bored because dad not only showed animals he also was on the County Fair board and had many responsibilities. Often, when the State Fair was on she would go up to Salt Lake as often as possible just to get a chance to see her daddy because he slept right there in order to take care of his prize animals. He won many blue and big purple championship ribbons.
Once when she was really young and sick as usual, he came in from one of his favorite pass times, pheasant hunting, to check on her. He caught his foot on the cord of the steamer beside her bed and tipped it over on his foot which was quite badly burned. She remembers this with great sympathy for him. Renee remembers when she was in grade school going out to the barn and having dad help her with homework while he milked the cows. He had an uncanny knowledge of and talent for working with numbers. Once when she was helping him haul hay into the loft the derek horse ran away with her and scared her and dad right to death. Renee remembers as a teenager having sleeping parties in the barn when everyone had to be super quiet, which was quite difficult. But dad needed his sleep because he got up at 4:00 am every morning to milk cows and mother insisted that there be quiet for him. Things changed when JoAnn and Gaylene got older and had their parties in the hayloft cause we roller skated and hollered and screamed and yelled all night.
Renee married Harold Edwards, who was later to become a forest ranger, and they spent many many years on some exciting hunting trips for elk and deer. When Renee and Harold went to Germany their car was sent to Europe by way of San Francisco, Calif. She and dad drove to California to ship the car. When they checked into the motel in Las Vegas the clerk at the motel looked at him like he was a dirty old man and he was always quite insulted but thought it was quite humorous. One time they were hunting in the Uintas when dad was in the bishopric. He had to go home Saturday night for church and when he came back Monday they were snowed in and he could hardly get back to them. Due to Harold’s occupation they lived in many areas in the West and dad was one who always enjoyed visiting and becoming familiar with all the wildlife and geography of the area. After mother’s death Renee went on many trips alone and with JoAnn with him. It was on one trip with JoAnn and Renee that he went into Mexico for the first time. It was probably his first time out of the United States. He was in Tijuana sitting and observing the tourists and natives and was appalled at the poverty and sad state of especially the children and the mothers begging in the streets. One little girl came up to him to sell him some gum and he reached into his pocket and took out a handful of coins and held them out to her and asked her to take what she thought it was worth. He gave her something like $1.25 for a 25 cent package of gum. Renee flew with him to Kansas, Seattle, and Oakland to visit children and grandchildren. He loved going to Nauvoo and seeing all the historical church sights. It was at this time that one of the tour directors asked him if he was George C. Scott. (a prominent movie star) Another time he went with Renee and JoAnn down to Kanab to visit JoAnn’s daughter, Jean. (Gaylene couldn’t ever go cause she was so busy) We then went over to St. George where they put down $500.00 on a condominium for him. Shortly after our return he changed his mind and decided he didn’t want to be that far away from his children. Needless to say he lost most of the money on deposit. He loved going to Nevada to visit one of his grandchildren. He was always enthralled with the changes that had occurred in Las Vegas from when he played ball there. He had the opportunity to buy some land where the strip is now and he lacked the foresight to buy
it. He always cussed himself for not having done it. Once when he was down there playing ball he went to the dedication of the Hoover Dam sight. (Currently known as Boulder Dam)
One of our first family outing memories was of trips to Utah Lake and playing ball on the beach. Everyone would congregate at home for food afterwards. It seems as though some really fun Easters with baseball at Aunt Laurels and Thanksgiving and movies at Aunt Arthellas were great times with families. It was at one of these family gatherings that Jerry West, as a child, came up to dad and said, ‘Ok, Uncle Del, cough up. It’s my birthday’. Not only did he cough up for his birthday but when Jerry was old enough to go on a mission he supported him with great love and was pleased for the opportunity. He was the one to whom members of the family came for financial assistance in times of need. He was extremely generous.
When Renee’s husband was in a military camp for the summer, and JoAnn had just finished high school and Gaylene was still in high school the family took the only prolonged vacation we ever took. Dad was always so involved with work responsibilities that he felt he couldn’t get away. Mother always said he was married to the cows and if they could have cooked he would have had no need for her. She also said she hoped God didn’t have any cows in heaven. This vacation was taken to California to see Grant, Maude, and Elwood and their families. We went on up the California Coast through the Redwoods and into Oregon where we promptly visited more dairy farmers. We also saw some of those dairy farmers in California. He never went anywhere unless there was a cow or later a bird at the end of the trip or somewhere along the way.
Renee remembers also the great love and respect that he taught us as children to have for his wife, our mother. Dad had a little switch, I don’t think he ever used, as a reminder just in case any of us ever talked back or showed disrespect to her. His great love for her was evident all his life even after her death 7 years before his own death.
JoAnn’s earliest memories of her father go way back to when she, still in the high chair, commented about how come dad had his ‘bare udders’ out when he would go shirtless on hot days before his temple marriage. She also has fond memories as a small child of sitting on his lap and taking off his hat and wrapping his tie around his nose and ears. He would take her occasionally with him to the cheese factory in Spanish Fork. Whenever he was gone to sell cows or just to deliver mail or milk he would always return with a piece of black licorice for everyone. As a child she recalls what a hard worker her dad was. He always encouraged and sometimes insisted that she work, if not for him washing bottles and cleaning up in the processing plant, then for Grandpa Knudsen stomping hay or riding the derek horse to pull hay up into the barns. Dad was often bothered by a bad back and JoAnn often worked with him delivering milk before school because it was so difficult for him to get out of the truck so often. This became quite embarassing for her when she was in high school and when she was asked by one of the boys in school if that wasn1t her when he saw the milk delivered to his house she thought she would die of humiliation. But her dad helped her through this by telling her, ‘Jo Jo! She was only the farmers daughter, but all the house men—u—her’(manure) This situation was also made easier because that boy was one of the first to ask her out in high school. One day she asked him if he wasn’t ever even slightly disappointed because he had never had a son, and didn’t he wish that at least one of us were a boy. In great sincerity he answered that he had never even thought of it. He was one who always made her feel that she was ok. This was probably one of the greatest blessings he ever bestowed on his daughters.
When JoAnn was in college her father was most supportive and always paid the tuition and never griped about grades, number of hours carried, number of boys dated, amount of playing done, etc.. He just paid the tuition, greeted the guys with respect, and supported her and all her playing all the way. No one was more surprised or pleased when she finished college than he was. When he became a bishop he influenced many of her friends into activity and one young man into the church. These young men had a great love and respect for the kind of person and bishop he was. They loved him because he wasn’t the stuffy, rigid, judgmental kind of person young people sometimes associated with someone who was a bishop. He was accepting and positive but firm with everyone. He had a great love of the gospel and an especially strong testimony about paying tithing. At one time in his life he lived contrary to the teachings of the gospel as far as the word of wisdom and activity on Sundays was concerned. Even during this time in his life he always paid a full tithing. When he was asked to be Bishop he threw away his cigarettes (even though he never smoked around the house or smoked much) and became a very faithful church goer. In his aging years he and mother attended the temple 2 or 3 times a week and performed many thousands of endowments and many hundreds of sealings. Before he became active in the church he would also drink occasionally and one time when Elwood, his brother, and wife, Dorothy were visiting from California they were dancing at a club up Provo Canyon when Elwood said something that precipitated a fight. Dad became involved in order to help his brother when someone decked him right in the nose with a pair of brass knuckles. This broke his nose quite badly. He was out of it at 4:00 am the next morning when it became necessary to milk the cows so mother and Elwood and Dorothy tried to milk for him. The cows would not give a drop of milk until they brought out dad, set him on a chair in the barn, and had him talk to his cows. The chores were completed but only in his presence. Apparently they also loved him.
Some of Gaylene’s earliest memories were when mother and dad were sealed in the Arizona Temple. As a child she was extremely sick and the doctor suggested she be taken to Phoenix for the winter for her health. Dad stayed in Provo and mother took the children to Phoenix for one winter. She also remembers being in bed and sick so much as a child and dad coming into visit a few times a day and telling her what a sweetheart she was for being such a good girl to stay in bed while mother was out helping him by washing bottles for the dairy business. He often gave her 50 cents for being such a good girl. She started school at age 5 with her peers and became so sick with rheumatic fever and a heart murmer that she lost 2 years of schooling at this time. When Renee became engaged to Harold she went into a coma from Lobular Pneumonia. This was before the days of sulfa, penicillin and modern medicine. Dr. luff Jefferies came to the house and stayed to doctor her through the night. The elders also came to administer to her. When she was administered to she could see her body in the bed and all her family gathered around. She was promised that she would recover to live a normal useful life. There were memories of Renee and JoAnn shoving her up and down the clothes chute and how terribly upset dad was when he couldn’t find her cause she was still in the chute. There were parties where baseball was played with Aunt Maude and her kids and Aunt Arthella and her kids with home made ice cream and all the trimmings. When she was a teenager dad was made a Bishop and she was really upset because whe anticipated that her life would be so drastically changed. But guess what? It wasn’t. Dad told her she could stay home from church and he’d go. She stayed home for about 3 weeks and then decided she’d go back to church cause that was more fun than being home. She remembers dad as being a kind loving Bishop with lots of compassion and concern for the members of the Ward. He kept track of all the ward money, as well as much of his business money in the kitchen on the bar. No one ever thought of touching it.
Gaylene remembers how dad always encouraged all of us to work. At a very young age she too hauled hay for Grandpa Knudsen, worked in a hugh vegetable garden, hoed beets, picked strawberries, peaches and pears. JoAnn’s checks weren’t ever as big as Gaylene’s because she sang all day with Norma and Gaylene was better coordinated.
When Gaylene was in high school and JoAnn was in college, mother had a nervous breakdown and dad was so concerned that things be taken care of for her that he had Gaylene cook numerous cakes, cookies, and all kinds of munchies. That’s probably why Gaylene is such a marvelous cook and JoAnn is such an eater and player. Be had Gaylene put up 7 crates of strawberries into strawberry jam.
She remembers spending many hours making candy, fruitcake, banana bread, and all kinds of goodies to make boxes to take to all the widows and those in need in the ward and neighborhood. Dad would sometimes put cash of his own in some envelopes. Gaylene learned her love of giving to those in need from these early experiences with her mother and dad.
By the time Gaylene got to her parties in the barn they had hamburgers, fries, and they hollered and screamed and yelled all night. I wonder if the folks changed or if the situation changed in the neighborhood?
After Gaylene married she and her husband and dad and mother spent many hours hunting with Renee and Harold. This gave Gaylene the opportunity to get to know Renee better as she was only 9 when Renee married and left home. They took many trips into Wyoming, Montana, Colorado and all over the State of Utah hunting various and sundry beasts and birds. They bagged elk, deer of every kind, antelope, Rocky Mountain goats, bear, and many species of birds. Dad spent thousands of dollars mounting many of his trophies bagged on these hunts and he gave them to his grandchildren before his death.
As was mentioned earlier Del was the one in the family on whom his brothers and sisters relied in time of need. Dad had a brother, Royal, who was a sad alcoholic. He married and later divorced and dad and mother befriended him and his wife and often rented, and sometimes just provided an apartment in the basement of the house for them, and after they divorced, for Red (Royal’s nickname). When Red was a baby, as I was told, he had an illness referred to as ‘brain fever’ and he came near to death. At this time his mother pleaded with the Lord to spare his life; that she would endure anything if this child was allowed to live. Apparently our grandmother suffered much anguish because of her ‘black sheep’ son. He wrote forged checks and was arrested and also forged checks to our dad. For this he spent some time in prison at the Point of the Mountain in Salt Lake County. Dad often visited him during this time and provided a job, clothes, and a home for him whenever he was released from prison or jail. He had a difficult time keeping a job because he became addicted to alcohol. He eventually died at age 48 in the Provo City Jail. This was especially difficult for dad because he was a Bishop and was in charge of the funeral and burial. He loved this errant brother of his and assisted him as often as possible.
These memories expressed by his daughters and some of his grandchildren were written with great love and respect for this great man.
Ianez & Dell Gay
Adelbert Aaron 'Del' and wife Ianez Knudsen Gay with two oldest daughters: baby JoAnn and older sister Renee.
Del and Ianez's three daughters: JoAnn Johnson, Gaylene Roylance, Renee Edwards.
Back row: JoAnn, Gaylene with husband Keith Roylance, Inez (with glasses), Dell with Gaylene's daughter. Front row: Laurel Gay Gibson, Sis. Knudsen, Inez's mom, Little Del.
Picture of Del as bishop on front row with General Authority James Paramore on his left.
Del Gay played professional baseball. He's the ballplayer on the back row to the far right (next to one of his coaches).
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