Rachel's comments on the Family Reunion

Rachel started this blog but puts all the interesting stuff on her own blog. Here is a link to her comments and pictures from the recent reunion. Look it up.

Andy transferred to the land of our ancestors

From facebook: Michele McGee> Andy (Chow) just had what could be his final transfer in Alabama. He now is in Florence which is in the NW corner of Alabama near the Mississippi and Tennessee borders. Home in 12 weeks. ... Larry: Florence AL is the county seat for Lauderdale County Alabama. Solomon Joseph DeSpain was born in Lauderdale County in 1823. He joined the church in Illinois in 1851 and later moved west. Andy is now serving again as a Zone leader. His zone extends into Tennessee where Lowryville, Hardin TN is part of the Alabama mission (about 36 miles from Florence). That is the birthplace of Solon Huff McGee (b 1853) who joined the church in 1898 in Oklahoma and moved west a few years later. Lauderdale County AL and Hardin County TN are adjacent to each other. There is a new Elder in Andy's mission, Elder Despain assigned to one of the ward's in Andy's zone. I asked Andy to check if there is a relationship.

McGee Family Reunion 2011

From Michele: Other great news: We now have permission to post pics of our two youngest. Only restriction is that we not use legal names, but Manny and Rosie are okay to use. In the family reunion pic, Rosie is sitting with Melody on the bottom row and I'm holding Manny. Progress!

Lost

Found: One pair of yellow flip-flops. If they belong to you, please call/email Catie.

From Facebook: Ward Despain

Steve Despain: My father passed away Sunday evening after a 5 year battle with Alzheimer's. While it was a blessing as he didn't recognize anyone and was not able to communicate well, it still gives pause to reflect.
The viewing will be at Metcalf Mortuary on Friday the 5th from 6-8 pm, and the funeral will be Saturday the 6th at 10:00am at the Foremaster Ridge chapel,http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif with a viewing from 9-10 am prior to the service.

Obituary from the St George Paper.

ST. GEORGE - C. Ward Despain, age 89, passed away Sunday, July 31, 2011 in St. George, Utah. He was born July 6, 1922 in Granite, Utah to Charles W. and Elsie Fryer Despain. He married Irene McGee on March 19, 1943 in the Salt Lake Temple.

Ward grew up in the small town of Granite, Utah in the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon with the "best parents in the whole world" (his words). He graduated from Jordan High School in Sandy, Utah in 1940, attended Utah State University for three years and then was inducted into the army with his R.O.T.C. group shortly after his marriage. For two years, Irene was able to be with him at various locations in California, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas. He attended Officer's Training School in North Carolina and received the rank of First Lieutenant. He then served in the 209th Automatic Weapons Anti-Aircraft Battalion for a year in the Philippines and Japan.

He attended the University of Utah where he received his B.S. degree in sociology in 1951. He then received his M.S. degree in church history and philosophy from Brigham Young University in 1956. His doctorate degree was obtained in curriculum, teaching, and educational administration at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington in 1965.

He began his 39-year career with the LDS Church Education System in the middle of the 1948-49 school year as a seminary principal and teacher in Coalville, Utah. He was later assigned as a Coordinator of Seminaries for Southeastern Utah, living in Price, Utah; Coordinator of Indian Seminaries; with headquarters at BYU in Provo, Utah; Coordinator of Seminaries in Eastern Washington in Pullman Washington; Director and teacher at the LDS Institute at Dixie State College in St. George, Utah and Coordinator of Seminaries in Hawaii.

As a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he has had many church callings including first counselor in a bishopric in Coalville, Utah; serving on two high councils in St. George; Bishop in St. George and in Hilo, Hawaii; and always a master teacher. He has influenced the lives of many. He loved life, loved the Lord, and loved his family.

He is survived by his wife, Irene, three children: Mary Ann (Terry) Blackburn of Las Vegas, NV, Steven (Evelyn) of St. George, UT, and David of Riverton, UT, 15 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and sister Nellie Kunz of Payson, UT. He is preceded in death by his brothers Joseph, Leo, Merland, sister Verdant Warren and granddaughter Tera Blackburn Cannon.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Foremaster Drive LDS Chapel, 912 South 1740 East, St. George, Utah. Visitations will be held Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd. and on Saturday, prior to services, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at the Chapel. Interment will follow at the St. George City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221. Please visit our website www.metcalfmortuary.com for full obituary, funeral listings and condolences.

Final announcement/schedule:

In case you are wondering, Yes I do look for excuses to make invitations/fliers!

I wanted to let everyone know that:
    1. I am still planning on about 30 people.
    2. The 7200 West exit (off highway 201) is supposed to be closed this weekend. If your directions/GPS's have you taking this exit, you will need to change your plans. I suggest taking 5600 West (that's the one I always take anyway).
    3. If you are not planning to attend the Temple session, you are welcome to come here instead. Heidi is planning on being here at about 8am to watch my kids and I think Adam and Betsy will be here early as well.
    4. Benjamin is planning on all the kids playing in the sandbox so plan on them getting a little dirty.
    5. We would like to have a "Game Night" after dinner. Please feel free to bring your favorite game and hangout here as late as you want. We are planning to have a couple of kids games (Candy Land etc) as well as a movie for the little ones.