Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Pierce is 90 today!


My dad turns 90 years old today. We took him and mom out to dinner last night with the Runyans and Lyons. They really enjoy the attention and activity with all the kids. It's amazing these two still have one another after 69 years of marriage.
My dad was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, but moved with his family to So. California when he was 3. His dad had work on the Baldwin Park dam. My dad attended Venice High School, but didn't graduate with his class. He later went back to school and got his GED. He left school for a lucrative job at Paramount Studios making movie sets. Since his father was no longer in the home, it became my dad's responsibility to help support his mom and younger sister. My dad baptized my mom when she was 21, then married her! They had all the same friends in their ward in Mar Vista, CA. Dad continued to work in construction, until he enlisted in the Navy during WWII. He spent most of his Navy years in Santa Rosa, CA working on damaged fighter planes. After the war, he returned to construction. He also spent a few years selling insurance for Prudential. His later years of work, he was a custodian for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and retired from there in 1986. He and my mom served a mission to Atlanta, GA in 1987-88. I think that's been a highlight of their golden years. They've traveled to Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, Scotland, England and the Netherlands. They also took their 5th wheel across the US on an extensive tour.
Dad has served in many callings in the Church. The most memorable to me was his many years as Scoutmaster. I think most of our vacations, in my younger years, included scout camp. I learned all my camping skills from my dad. I recall having to roll, and reroll a sleeping bag numerous times to get it tight enough to satisfy dad.
Dad's always had a dog, and made sure his dog was well trained. He used to love a good practical joke in his younger years.
Happy Birthday, Dad!

4 comments:

Shoebox Princess said...

I'd be interested to hear his stories about the movie sets he worked on. I didn't know that he did that.

Happy birthday Grandpa!

Jenni said...

It brings a tear to my eye to see a picture of him and feel the great love I have in my heart for him!!

Pyatt said...

He's so cute and looks so good for 90...how lucky to spend it surrounded by his family!

Dennis said...

I love my Dad. I think I learned my love for practical jokes from him. I remember one specific joke he played on Kieth Remington and Sterling ??? Dad's 1937 Plymouth wouldn't start on a rainey day so Keith and Sterling pushed the car while Dad poped the clutch. After about 2 blocks Dad started the car and yelled back that he forgot to turn the key on.
There are many other stories like that one.