March 22, 1968

I had begun to think that I had finished writing deckers as none of you had answered my last
one, when we received a long delayed letter from Rina. Who had been in Hong Kong – the Chinese
Santa Claus town. They came home with a lot of loot, including a “Golden Touch” Singer sewing
machine. Rina, I don’t think you read my last decker through or you would have caught the paragraph
about going fishing. Now if you read this far, we want you to set a date as when you want to go fishing.

They are having an education Program to-day. At the Priest Ex, meeting a couple of weeks ago,
Bishop Post, telling about the wonderful speakers, mentioned that he had seen you and Frank both cry,
when you attended one of these meeting several years ago. I think it is mostly about raising a family.
We are not going. We have already made our mistakes, besides, it cost five bucks.

The weather here is beginning to get nice again. I have had my shirt off a couple of times. Bill, I
heard over the radio day before yesterday that five feet of snow fell in S.E. Utah. Did you get any of this?
If you still have snow in May, all bets are off.

I am well enough now so that I have started doing a little work again. The other day I was
working on a missing Person case in Nogales, when our Landlady dropped in to visit Mother. When she
asked for me, mother told her that I was looking for a girl; “My goodness! She said, Don’t you mind?”

We did get a short note from David; you could hardly call it a letter. His ship went to sea on a
shakedown cruise. He was very proud of the fact that de did not get sea sick. He has a new address, but
he has changed his writing style and we could not make it our very well. When I am sure of it, I will pass
it along. This will be his permanent address now, F. P. O one, which will stick to him- even in Viet Nam.

We would like to hear from some of you Calif. People to learn how the “bug” treated you. Every
time we turn on T.V. we hear of someone who has gone to Cal. And caught the bug.

Vaya Con Dios

Dad

March 6, 1968

Dear Family,

It seems a long time since I wrote the last decker and for a while I wondered if I would ever write
another. Whatever that bug was that hit me in San Francisco, it was sure a lulu. I began to get ill as we
reached Marta’s on the way back and was afraid I would pass the bug on to the baby. This did not
happen, but we left there as soon as we could. I remember driving the Freeway, than Mother took over
and drove almost all the rest of the way to Tucson. I sure had a time of it. It took the prayers of those of
you who knew I was ill, plus the administering by the Elders, plus a peck of antibiotics, to snap me out of
it and I am still a bit on the week side.

Rina, you are the only one we have received a letter from since we returned. In a way I am glad
that your “slow boat to China” tour was canceled. Knowing what a Mamma’s boy my buddy Lane is, I
hate to see him left alone. Now, our only plans for the summer are to go to Bill’s about the time School
is out, so that he can go fishing with us before he goes to work in the timber. Then we are coming back
to Tucson to wait for you. If you truly want to go to the white Mts., (I am afraid you will want to stay
around Tucson and yak with friends), I think you should be thinking of reserving a camper, tent or what
have you I mind, right now.

Another reason I have not written is because my church responsibilities were in such a mess.
The forming of the new Ward, (8th) took about 35 families from our Ward. I lost Home teachers, had to
regroup my Home Teaching areas and even lost my Assistant, which is the hardest blow. The fact that I
did not go to church for two weeks after we returned, did not help either. It seems the people we lost
were the young energetic ones, like Bill Biggs, way out in the East side of town. When I bugged the
Bishop about getting me an assistant he showed me a list of 16 vacancies he could not fill.

Mother talked to Marion Sunday. Her entire family had also been bitten by the bug that got me
and were just getting back on even keel. We have had not report from the Rices or the McKays and have
been wondering if they too were ill.

Mother and I started at the wrong end of Skousen’s thousands of years. We started at the
4ourth thousand and we are now reading the 1st thousand. His explanation of things I have always been
a bit skeptical of , seem very logical to me and I don’t believe I ever did thank you for your book, The
Naked communist”, also by Skousen. I am reading parts of it in our weekly Home Evening. Last night our
lesson was #26 in the Manuel. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.

Mother is still having a lot of aches and pains, but keeps going just the same. I think she is just
feeling pains she did not have time to feel while I was ill. It was quite a strain on her. She is in Relief
Society to-day. Her work also went to pot while I was ill and she is working overtime now, getting it
squared away.

Hey David! Did you find a new girl among the mob that visited the ship? How about dropping us

a line?

Vaya Con Dios,

Dad

Tucson, March 5, 1968

Dear Family,

The big news at this writing is that Lloyd and Carol have finally got things squared away, Mark
legally adopted etc. so that they can be married in the Temple and have Mark and Brian sealed to them.
We will go and have Lloyd sealed to us at the same time. We expect to leave here on or about the 3rd of
April and spend Easter in Cal. They will be sealed on the 12th.

We received a nice letter from Debora McKay yesterday. She included a clipping from the local
paper with her picture as Honor Roll winner in the Forestry Work Shop. We have received letters from
almost all our Granddaughters, (Who dat almost?) and have enjoyed them very much. Robin reports
that they are having trouble in school with the same thing that troubles most of our High Schools
everywhere-pot and what have you. I can’t help but wonder if someone is not subsidizing or fomenting
this mess, because it seems to be everywhere. Renee reports that they have lost the back fence, (over
ten feet tall) under snow. They even had a picture of Snowy Lake Tahoe in our paper yesterday.

Mother is still busy, busy, with her quilting projects and I have been fairly busy with the Adult
Aaronic Program. Every once in a while they dig me about staying away two months. We are staying
until after the Temple session this time and then returning to Tucson-I warn you in advance. I hope to be
relieved of this job when we leave in May.

Mother remarked the other day about how good her knee felt now, but she has been having a
lot of heart pains since our weather became unsettled. We have been having goofy weather. One day
so sunny that I can take my shirt off and sun bathe, the next cold enough for an overcoat.

Speaking of weather, the McKays and Wilsons report that they survived this second storm
without incident.

The last we heard from the Stobbes, Rina had hitch hiked to Hawaii for a week on the FAA plane.
She is either getting very luck or very brassy. She is lucky at least in having a husband who will put up
with her gallivanting, but I suppose any one cooped up on a small island for several years is entitled to all
the breaks they can get.

David’s ship is in dry dock. He says they are expected to take a cruise along the American coast
and Hawaii after they are at sea again. He says that they may go to Viet Nam in August. He is still
running around with the girl we met Christmas-who we liked.

Mother and I went to the Temple last Saturday to witness another sealing of people we had
helped advance. The Temple was crowded with Indians from the SW Mission and it took us 5 hours to
go through. While we were waiting in the Chapel I leaned over to our Bishop and whispered; “If I had
known there would be so many Indians I would have brought a gun” It struck his funny and he almost
laughed aloud. He even mentioned it next day in Sacrament meeting.

We love you and enjoy your letters.

Vaya Con Dios

Dad

Tucson, March 2nd, 1968

Dear McKays and Wilsons,

We were pleased and happy that you, (Mckays), are finally squared away to go to the Temple.
Our Lord willing and the rain stops and the roads are open, we will leave here on the third of April,
arriving at Marta and Bob’s on the fourth. We may possibly be delayed another day, but we will try our
best to get as far as Yuma on the Third.

It seems that it has been years since we spent Easter with any of our kin. The last time was in
Hawaii with the Stobbes. This is the reason for leaving so early. We will return to Tucson right after the
Temple session.

Mother and I were at the Temple again Saturday and witnessed another couple from our ward
getting sealed. It was the longest Temple Session I have ever attended. We did not get through until
3:00 P.M. It seemed as through the entire Apache Indian Reservation was there. That is what held us
up. It will be good to witness a sealing of our own family.

This is just a note to tell you that we plan to be with you in the Temple. I will have to write a
Decker soon as almost everyone has written.

Again, congratulations, that things have worked out your way.

Vaya Con Dios,

Dad

PS from Grandma

Dear Lloyd and Carol,

Your have given us the best new and with our Lord help we will be there.

Our best wishes and we are happy and proud of you. May our Heavenly Father bless you,

All our Love,

Mother

February 11, 1968

Dear Family; (those not here)

It was quite a day. Lloyd, Carol and family and Betty and the girls joined us her Friday night. We
took off for Hunters Point on a very nice morning, marred only by grandpa blowing his jets, because
everyone was so slow in starting.

There must have been a least a thousand at the Ceremony, highlighted by speeches by Admirals,
Rear Admirals, and Commanders Etc. Even the Chaplin, who gave the invocation and Benediction, was a
high Ranker.

After the Brass had left, we all filed aboard the ship, which seems about as large as the now
famous, Puebla. We finally found David stationed at the bottom of a steep companion way, (stairs),
helping people down. Mother said his face was red most of the time because of the Mini skirted girls.
Lloyd and Bob accused him of paying off to get the post. I took pictures of the boat and will send some
along if they are good. We saw David’s bunk, a bid with a four inch foam mattress. Paul Jones must
squirm in his grave to know that the modern sailor has it so good.

It has really been hectic with 15 people here. I don’t know how or where they all slept, but I do
know that the bath room became a shining goal. We all sat around talking with one ear tuned to the
closing or opening of the bath room door. When we heard it open we would wander casually around as
though going to the kitchen or the telephone and then make a dash. It was sure a good feeling when we
made it. Mother drafted me to run interference for her then stand on guard in front of the door so that
she would not be interrupted.

Coming up from L.A. we drove through fog for about four hours. Mother tied herself in knots
trying to see through the fog. She even suggested that we sell the car and fly back, but we will try it
again tomorrow.

Betty came off the mountain in a snow storm and sideswiped a road marker in a skid, but her car
was not damaged. The Rice girls and Mimi were in Mimi’s room directly across from where we slept. As
is usual with girls after not seeing each other for a long time, they tittered and tee heed and talked until
the wee hours, finally quieted by a bellow from Grandpa; “Knock it off!” It reminded me very much of
the days when my own did the same.

Marion, who seems to be growing to a “big shot” in Sears, was in Fresno for a three day Sears
conference last week and came back the same day we arrived. Bob is working steadily again and says
that he doesn’t believe there will be another lay-off for a long time.

Brian Jon does not quite understand why there are so many people. He seems to have settled
his affections on Robin and won’t have anything to do with anyone else.

We received your letter here Rina and were glad to know that you were back on even keel. We
were also glad to hear that Frank is flying again. We still have not found a tape recorder to play your

tape. We depended on Lloyd but he did not bring his. Maybe we will hear it by next Christmas.

Lloyd, David and I are getting ready to go to Priesthood meeting so I will close.

Everyone sends their love,

Vaya Con Dios,

Dad

January 24, 1968 Tucson Arizona

Dear Family,

Several weeks ago, when the weather was real cold here, Mother made me a present of a new sweat shirt, fleece lined, to wear at night and in the mornings. It has a big 70 on front and back. I didn’t not know what that signified, as I am only an elder. This morning I realized that she got it knowing that I would grow into it. It now denoted my aged.

I was surprised when Mother remembered my birthday and gave me my present and card before I got up for breakfast. Then Marion and her entire brood called and wished me a Happy Birthday. I don’t feel such different than I did 10 years ago, except I huff and puff a little more.

The Stobbe family sent us a roll of tape they had evidently recorded about Christmas and thinking that we had heard it and knew all the news about them, Rina had not written. We could not get a tape recorder so we will take it with us when we go to S.F. Maybe we can borrow Lloyd’s recorder along the way. I also received a birthday card from them.

There is very little of note since I last wrote. We received letters from the Rice family including Roberta and Robin. They, (including Queenie) are well again and expect to meet us at Marion’s next month when we go to David’s “fandango”.

Mother banged her knee a few days ago and went back to her cane for a while. She seems O.K. now, but we are going to take it easy going to S.F. We expect to leave here on Friday the Second, arrive at Marta’s on the third and rest up a few days before going on to S.F. The weather permitting, we hope to stay several days with Marion. We read now of the nice warm weather there and in L.A. Both places were reported to be warmer than Tucson yesterday, but just wait until the “stormy petrels” get there!

Marion I don’t know if David had an invitation sent to the Jenkins or not, but you might call Dorthy and tell her that we have included them on our card if they wish to go to the Ceremony.

We love you all and pray for you daily,

Vaya con dios,

Dad

Tucson, January 9, 1968

Dear Family,

Bill, your Birthday present to Mother was kike giving an Irishman a gold plated pick and telling
him; “Sure now Pat, it will be twice as sissy diggin with this beautiful instrument”. (He has signed up for
a genealogical excursion once a month to S.L.) Mother is required to get a lot of information for him and
has scattered her papers along the family. She says to tell you, that she appreciates all the work you will
do as we have reached a dead end and have been dragging our feet. She will send you the dates she has
now and more later. We know that this work will cost money and we suggest that those of you who are
interested, send Bill a couple of bucks to help defray the expenses he will incur.

Bill is the only one who has written us this year, (we heard over TV that your hots is 120 below
the goose egg, brrrrrrrr rrr!), but we did get a very splendid invitation from the navy brass, inviting us to
the commissioning of David’s Ship Feb. 10th. Before we answer the invitation David, we would like to
know if the Meekers and Rices received an invitation or if we include their number on our card. If so
just who are going? Expedite this information as we should return our card as soon as possible.

Mother and I seemed to have a lot of business all of a sudden. She is quilting director of the R.S.
and I am all bogged down with the work of The General Secretary of the Senor Aaronics. Mother is
helping me with my reports but I have to attend a lot of meetings.

Hey David! I note on this invitation that all military personnel are required to wear full dress at
your shindig. Does that mean that I will have to rent a soup and fish? I am about to back out!

I hope you will pardon the appearance of this letter. After being washed in a Mexican river and
bounced over those miles of rough roads, this old typewriter “ain’t what she used to be” I tell Mother
we need a new one but she says no!., not until we have a color TV!, (That will be when the rivers in
Tucson freeze in July, because I don’t like them). So if the deckers stop, you will know that the old grey
mare gave up the ghost.

Love,

Dad

PS Lloyd, we did not send Brian’s hat. We will bring it when we go the first of Feb.

News Year Day, 1968

Dear Family,

It looked for a while as though Mother and I would spend New Year’s Eve in a river or mud hole in northern Mexico. After a week of deluge we finally took off on that Mexican job Wednesday. We had to go to Cananea and Hermosillo. Cananea is the mining town whose lights we saw Marta, when we were living out on that ranch near Ft. Huachuca. There is a paved highway that runs from Cananea to the Nogales highway. When we turned off on this road our troubles began. Bridges were washed out and we had to drive for miles over rough sandy, boggy detours. I think Mother splintered the floor boards she pressed so hard.

It took us about six hours to drive 50 miles. We had to return over the same road to go on to Hermosillo. We were stuck in the middle of a river on this part of the journey and had to wait for a truck to come along to pull us out. I know the Lord was with us or we would not have made it. We helped several people who had damaged their cars badly. We were one day in Hermosillo. Our Hotel was near the Market. (we had stayed here with Rina once before). Mother shopped while I worked.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank you all for your thoughtful Christmas gifts. Marion your package did not come until after Christmas – just as we were taking off. We took them with us and believe me those flaming night shirts and caps, (flannel) came in mighty handy in those cold Mexican Hotels. We wondered if the maids cleaning the rooms, seeing those red and white night caps and night shirts, thought that Santa Claus had been there.

We returned to Tucson Saturday Evening and we are still tired. We do not intend to do a thing this New Years day except sit here in our cozy Apartment.

Saturday night the Bishop called me in for Tithing settlement. I was so tired that I could hardly wriggle. I guess he thought it would be a good time to hit me when I was groggy. He asked me to take over the secretary of Senior Aaronics job. Last night the old Secretary dropped off a stack of books two ft. high. Mother promised to help me with the book work, but now that she has seen all the work to do, I think she has reservations.

Hey David! Just when is the commissioning? Just because you have a new girl you don’t have to desert us altogether.

We love you. We pray that Our Heavenly Father will watch over you and guide you during this New Year.

Dad

PS

Lloyd, we go Brian a cowboy hat in Mexico. We want a pic of him in it.

December 11, 1967

Tucson

Dear Family,

Mother gets hard to get along with this time of year. She wants to send everyone nice presents

and is so frustrated when finances won’t permit her to do it. “Thank goodness.” she said, “This year I will

have my own money to spend as I please.” Meaning her SS check. Then to top it all off, our December

checks have been lost, destroyed, or stolen. We are going to the SS Office to make a claim to-day, but

the man said there was little hope we would get them before Christmas.

So we are staying in our own little igloo for Christmas. It will make us sad to be away from our

Grandchildren, but another deterrent is that my health has not been so good. The weather has

been “Blah” and I have been feeling pretty bad recently. I don’t feel up to fighting that “Mad muddle of

mixed up motorists” who will be on the highway during the coming days.

We have heard from no one since my last decker. We did get your nicely wrapped, (Mimi?)

Christmas Package Marion, which we will open on Christmas. Mother talked to Bill Sunday and he and

Fran are becoming more reconciled to their loss. He promised to write, so we may have more news from

him also.

We send our love to each and every one of you and we hope and pray that you will have a

wonderful Christmas.

Vaya Con Dios,

Dad

December 15, 1967, Tucson

Dear Family,

The best “Christmas” we could possibly have received was a letter from Betty, telling us that,

after many x-rays, more tests and your prayers, the Doctor concluded that Renee did not have Hepatitis

after all, but probably had some gall bladder infection, not nearly so serious. You may be sure that we

thanked Our Heavenly Father. I told Renee that she was in luck to be a member of a family, some of the

members of which live in such a manner that they can expect their prayers to be answered.

It has been raining cats and dogs here for the past two days. Night before last I was called on a

case which involved visiting Hermosillo and several other northern Mexican towns. Yesterday morning I

went to get gas and had a hard time getting back to the Apartment, so I called the boss and we agreed to

postpone the trip until next week- if it quit raining by then. We were all packed and I was set to take

Mother with me.

I have held off writing this “Good news” letter, hoping that we would hear from some of you, but

nada! Mother was worried about the “bug’ biting the new baby and/or Marta, so we called. Everyone

was alright. We got the pictures we took in L.A. I am proud of the pictures of the baby, the rest of them

are just so, so. We will send them to Rina. She can send them to Betty. Lloyd, you or Bob send some of

your pics of the Baby and “Brian on to Marion.

Carol, the pics of Mother and I, I wanted to blow up, turned out very malo, either the one of me

was bad in one shot or the one of mother squinty in the other. If yours turn out good be sure and send

us the negative or slide.

We are braced to have a rather lonely Christmas- no Grandchildren. I think this the first time in

our lives that we have ever planned to eat out on Christmas day. Marion wanted us to go to her, rather

fly to SF. But we concluded that we could not and do the things we want to do this summer too.

Mother and I hope this finds you all well and hope you have a wonderful Christmas and that our

Lord will watch over you during the coming New Year.