CELEBRATING FATHER HINCKLEY'S 100th BIRTHDAY
In honor of father Hinckley’s 100th birthday, the Senior Aunts & Uncles (minus Jessie & Don and Jean & Rex – absent for health reasons) met at Cove Fort on June 24th for lunch and a tour of the Fort. Every turn brought renewed esteem not only for our pioneer ancestors, but for father’s vision and will to restore that edifice. Susan wrote: “Seeing Dad’s old buggy there [in the barn] touched the heart and brought back many memories. Perhaps the Lord prompted Dad to get that buggy 60 years earlier for just this purpose – to be at the fort at just this time for just this reason.” But Cove Fort was just the beginning of this birthday celebration! We continued on to the Fremont Indian ruins, then spent the night in Tropic near Bryce Canyon. On Friday the 25th we spent the day in Kodachrome Basin and Bryce Canyon experiencing some of the most beautiful places on Earth. On what would have been Father’s 100th Birthday, Saturday the 26th, we drove to his birth place....Hinckley, Utah. In the outdoor pavilion of a new stake center there in town we shared our love and appreciation for an incredible father. The following are just some of the thoughts and memories shared that day as recorded by Aunt Sue.
CANNONS: Kay remembered his love of giant Hershey bars, his addressing Mother as “Mommy Dear”, and how he flicked his nose with his forefinger. She recalled the days when he and Mother remodeled their home and how the children never avoided Dad’s work assignments because they felt it was a privilege to work for him. She says she has a rolling pin that is dented and gouged. It’s hardly useable but she keeps it because it reminds her of the time that Dad needed to move something heavy during their remodel and asked her for her rolling pin. He used that tool to move a large slab of cement like substance which subsequently marred the rolling pin. It is a sweet memory for her.
Ned shared some humor in his memory of Dad during the remodel. Ned was supposed to dig something up with a shovel. He was agreeable with this thinking, “How hard could it be?” So he began and soon Dad was at his side saying, “Let me show you how to turn dirt with a shovel,” and proceeded to share with Ned the art of shoveling.
Kay said that she felt Dad was a true artist the way he was able to decorate for Christmas and plan and manage his gardens. She indicated that it was always a privilege to be seen with Dad whether it was at a mission conference or in a tool shop. Wherever they went people loved him and knew him. JoAnn interjected here that people were ‘drawn’ to Dad. This we all agreed on. Wherever he went, there was someone he knew. He loved everyone and everyone love him.
Kay further recalled that Dad was a ‘project’ person. He always had to have something to do. She remembered him planning and taking her whole Kindergarten class to the farm and then later on taking her East High choir class to the farm. She remembers the Christmas baskets he would take to the widows. He had the ultimate respect for his parents and siblings and always had a mind-set to care for them. He cared for, not only his family, but for everyone in need.
CROSBYS: Richard remembered working for Dad on the farm one season. Dad asked him to take the tractor to the fueling station on the farm and fill it with gas. He asked Richard if he knew the difference between gas and diesel fuel. Richard didn’t but he couldn’t let on that he didn’t. So he said that he did and took the tractor to the fueling station. Once there Richard couldn’t figure out which of the two levers were for gas. He decided to just make a guess and lifted the diesel and filled the tractor. On the way back, just as he was entering the field, the tractor sputtered, shuddered, and stopped dead. Dad knew instantly what had happened. He didn’t get mad. He simply climbed under the tractor unscrewed something and let all the fuel drain onto the ground. Then to bring a lesson home he simply said: “Well, Elder. It will be a few years before anything will grow here.” Richard was amazed. He had expected an angy outburst of “colorful” language much like his own father would have used.
Louise remembered the time in the mission field when she was given permission to take the mission car out on the town one night with friends. When she returned home, she miscalculated the distance of the car from the side of the carport and unfortunately ran into it causing significant damage. She was terrified to tell Dad and Mom about it, but she went into their bedroom and found them still awake. She told all and waited for a dressing down. There was a long silence and then Dad quietly and simply said: “Well, Louise. You’ll have to quit school and go to work to pay for the repairs.” That was it. Nothing more. She had a sleepless night but never had to quit school because when Dad examined the damage the next morning, it wasn’t so bad after all. But she marveled at his restraint.
Louise also remembered that way back during the North Temple days, Dad used to bring candy bars home. He would hold them behind his back and you could have the candy bar if you could guess which hand it was in.
After moving to the avenues she remembers many Sunday afternoons lying on the living room floor with Dad while he read the comics to her and Kay.
Dad used to be concerned that some of Louise’s teeth weren’t aligned properly. But rather than having her get braces he suggested that while sitting at her desk in school, she should push her thumbs firmly on the teeth that protruded and that eventualy they would straighten. When that didn’t work, Dad tried to hook up some rubber bands on her teeth, but they would fall off as soon as Louise closed her mouth.
Louise remembers quite humbly the time when she was in charge of decorating for a dance at Bryant Junior High. Mom and Dad helped her design a huge heart and they had asked the ‘committee’ to help finish it. Of course, the committee put in some token time and then left, leaving the huge project to Louise and of course Mom and Dad. They stayed up with her till late in the night getting it all together. It turned out to be just beautiful and Louise will always be so grateful.
She feels that Dad had a lot to do with getting Richard and her together. While she was serving as a summer missionary in Anchorage with Richard as her District Leader, Dad wrote a letter to her saying: “Elder Crosby is pure gold.” She began to pay a little attention to ‘Elder Crosby’ from then on.
THOMASES: Susan shared some thoughts that she had gleaned from her children. They all remembered Dad’s overalls – even down to how they felt and smelled. They remembered how Dad would ask them to raise their hands and tell them not to put their hands down for anything. Then he would proceed to tickle them under their arms. Erin remembers affectionately how Dad once held her in his arms and told her to be a ‘good girl’. She has always remembered and tried to be a ‘good girl’. Evan remembers Dad feigning not being able to get up out of the couch and holding out his hand for help. Then he remembers Dad’s illness and how he could no longer really get out of the couch and how it was then a privilege to help him up. Amie remembers how he used to point, not with his finger, but with his whole hand, palm down. They each remembered his chuckle which no one can duplicate. It remains grandpa’s alone. They remember his pet phrases: “Well, sir”, “My, my”, and “Well, well.” They remember his distinctive blue eyes. They remember his tenderness and his ability to feel deeply which often brought him to tears.
Since it was not only Dad’s birthday but Grandma’s and Grandpa’s anniversary as well we believe that their’s is the sweetest love story every told. The deep love, appreciation, and respect they had for each other was an example to all of what a celestial marriage should be.
Evan referred to his grandpa as the patriarch of the family and that he believed he would always remain so. Susan agreed and still admits that even though it has been nearly 20 years since his passing that she still looks to him as the patriarch and leader, an example of how to solve problems. What would he say? What would he do?
Susan remembered Dad as an optimist. There is nothing that couldn’t be done. If Dad had a mind to do it, it was done. She remembers the quiet feeling each time she ‘went home’. Mom and Dad’s home gave her the opportunity to unwind and to step away from the world and become refreshed. It was a time to feel close to the spirit. Their’s was truly a ‘temple’ home. She remembered how open and accepting Dad was of everyone. No one was so low on the totem that he wouldn’t extend friendship and spend time with them. She remembered how busy Dad and Mom were at Cove Fort just prior to the transfer. Yet when she and Alisha drove down to help for several days, he took time out to drive them out to see the sights around the fort. He had to have been exhausted but he still took the time to do this for them.
Susan remembers the gift he had of including everyone is the conversation. She used to sit in on the conversation of visitors to their home. Everyone had a chance to talk and Dad knew how to draw interesting conversation from everyone.
Susan believes that Dad loved the world and all of God’s creations in it. She believes that is why his gardens grew so well. Those plants knew they were loved and appreciated.
As a small child she remembers Dad on the floor with his hands outstretched. He would have her stand on his hands and he would lift her up high off the ground. Though she was a little unsteady, he knew exactly how to keep everything in balance. It was scary but she never fell or got hurt. No one ever said ‘no’ to Dad without some fairly significant consequences. Dad was not used to being told ‘no’. It frustrated him if it happened and he didn’t know exactly how to deal with it.
Susan concluded her remarks by saying that she remembers Mother referring to Dad as her captain. It would be safe to say that all of us could say the same thing. We are all on the big Hinckley ship with Dad always and forever at the helm.
Jack took a moment to share an incident at the farm while he was helping Dad insulate the garage next to the ‘cottage’ (pig farm). He said it was a pleasure to work with Dad. They worked really well together. He could anticipate what Dad’s needs were and was able to keep up. Maybe Dad felt the same way about Jack because in the course of their work, Dad mistakenly but naturally referred to Jack as ‘Ralph’. Knowing the importance of Ralph in Dad’s life, Jack has always considered that to be a very big compliment.
Jack said that all the while he and Susan lived in the basement of Mom and Dad’s home on 12th Avenue, he felt a great spirit of dignity there.
HOWELLS: [Note: Since Jean was unable to be with us during the trip, Susan called her and got her memories of Dad.]
When I think of Dad, I think of a truly amazing and incredible man and one that I was so proud to call my Dad. I have never met another man who could work as hard for as long as he did. He was someone who considered it a challenge if he was told it couldn’t be done and he would set out to prove that it could be done. He was optimistic and always able to see the positive in every situation. He was a gifted leader that people adored. He had the ability to tell someone they were all wet and they would love him all the more.
Because of Dad we were given some wonderful memories from our childhood. I think we were blessed to have survived some of those experiences, but I am grateful we had them. I could go on and on but I will just list a few:
Our many exciting and adventurous camping trips. His using the old hay hauling truck to transport deep into the mountains - sometimes blazing our own trail. Setting up a campsite where none had ever been before.
The loads of fun and adventure on the farm. Swimming in the canal, riding horses, riding on the axil of the tractor, riding the ditcher, the swimming pool, drinking the wonderful well water, and the many fun cookouts. Of course we can’t forget the huge stake carnival and what a great event that was.
The way he taught us and expected us to work hard on the farm. The hours and hours - day after day - of pulling giant redwood weeds and rolling bales of hay, and the herding of turkeys and sheep, taught us many important lessons in working hard and sticking to it.
The hours of fun and delight that we spent in the water trough for the cattle swimming and cooling off on those hot summer days.
Who could forget the attention getting rumble seat that not only provided us with extra room in a very crowded car, but also provided lots of fun for us as we traveled.
It was obvious that Dad had a great love for Christmas. He always worked so hard to make it special, not only for us, but for many others especially the widows in the area. He was always very gifted in his ability to decorate and make things look beautiful.
Our many fun trips to California bring back lots of special memories: The long drives across the hot, hot desert, stopping in the shade of a sign board to eat a hot, juicy sticky orange or peach, the sunburns we all suffered from because we played too long on the beach, etc.
I was always impressed by Dad’s devotion to the gospel and he untiring efforts to fulfill his church callings to the best of his abilities. I always felt great pride every time he spoke in stake conference. His talks were always the best.
His desire to always keep our home and yard looking clean, neat and updated left a deep impression on us, and made us want to do our best also.
I was grateful that he always wanted to look his best.
Most of all, I love and admire him for his obvious love and devotion and deep concern for our Mother.
I will always be grateful to have had a Father that I could be proud of in every way. We never doubted how much he loved his family, the gospel, and our country.]
HAROLD & DIANE: Harold shared his memories by remembering the farm and the mistakes he made there as he was learning to plow a field. Dad was patient until Harold learned how to make the rows straight and not to cut any corners.
Harold felt that Dad was an ingenious inventor. Harold remembers the rumble seat in the old Oldsmobile. He remembers going to California and having an officer stop Dad. But since there was no law that he could find on his books against a rumble seat, the officer had to let Dad go. Dad’s inventiveness led to the creation of the derrick ride.
Harold feels that there were probably many years that were lean years in the Hinckley family but that none of us ever knew it because of Dad’s and Mom’s creativity in making things do and creating things out of very little.
Harold concluded his remarks by saying that he knew he could speak for Lon as well in saying how grateful they were for how well Dad accepted their wives.
Diane who was wiping away tears during this whole exchange, was only able to express her gratitude for the beautiful Patriarchal blessing that Dad had given to Adam.
STEPHANIE: Stephanie took a few minutes to express her love for Dad. She remembers affectionately having Dad at their home doing some remodeling. She was teaching piano and Dad was doing some work on the other side of the wall from where she was teaching. Suddenly the whole wall came down. She couldn’t do anything else but continue the lesson. She remembers the entertainment center that he built for her family at that time. Many years later as they were again remodeling and trying to decide what to do with the old entertainment center, their decorator told them to hold on to it for sentimental reasons if nothing else. They still have that piece of furniture.
Stephanie always remembers the spirit Dad and Mom had in their home. She felt it was a spiritual experience each time she entered the home. She remembered on one occasion during one of our planning meetings, we were getting a little frivolous. Dad settled us down and cautioned us to remember Alexander Pope’s cautionary couplet:
Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.
Stephanie shared her feelings at the time Lon was called to be the president of his stake. It was just two months before Dad died. Dad wanted to be a part of the meeting where Lon was sustained. And when Dad was asked to stand in the circle as Lon was set apart, he replied, “Am I to be so honored.”
MILLIGANS: (JoAnn spoke for Jessie.) Jessie remembered how well Dad used dinner time to teach and train his family. She remembers how well Dad solved problems not only at home but in all his church callings.
When Jessie & JoAnn visited the other day about Dad, Jessie mused: “Will any of us be as wonderful as he was?”
Susan interjected that when she had been visiting Jessie the day before the trip, both had become a little emotional as we realized we wouldn’t all be together. How grateful we were to Dad for making sure, in those early days of our young families, that we were always present at these kinds of events. Perhaps he knew the time would come when we couldn’t be together.
Harold put in that if Dad were still with us, he would have made certain that both Jean/Rex and Jessie/Don would have been here by whatever means.
PEIRCES: JoAnn’s first memory of Dad was when she was very ill at one time. Mother had been caring for her all day, and when Dad arrived home, he brought a daffodil and gave it to her.
JoAnn furthered remembered when she was about fourteen years old and the downstair bathroom needed painting. She volunteered to do the job. How hard could it be? Dad provided the oil based paint and JoAnn went to work while Dad went off to the farm. Looking back on it JoAnn can see how poorly she did managing to create big drips and streaks. But Mother kept telling her how well she was doing. She finally finished. When Dad got home, he inspected the work in her presence. He was rightfully horrified but his only remark was simply, “What have you done?” Then he set about trying to make the best of it. Lon spoke up and said that many years later they were painting the bathroom again, and he remembers seeing those old streaks and drips. They really had to work at them to get them out.
JoAnn expressed her gratitude for all the marriages that Dad performed for his grandchildren.
Earle remembered an embarrassing incident with Dad. Earle had been visiting with Dad at the home. On the way out Dad continued the conversation but suddenly Earle was falling asleep right there on his feet. Dad encouraged Earle to be on his way and to get some rest. Earle has always been grateful for how accepting Dad was of him. He loved Dad’s bear hugs.
LON: Lon made some concluding remarks and as a final tribute to our father, he read the final entry in Dad’s history.
“Looking to the years ahead, I hope they shall be rewarding and meaningful and that when the time comes to move on -- though it would be with the same reluctance that was mine as a small boy in not wanting to move from Hinckley unless my best friend could move with me -- that I shall be ready when I hear that distant whistle of the Heaven-bound train, and that when the Conductor calls: “All Aboard,” I shall have reservations in a Pullman Car with a sleeping berth, and that when the train arrives at that Depot beyond earth’s limits, I shall awake to be greeted there by many loved ones, great associates, and the many friends that have been mentioned in this short narrative.
“Truly it has been a wonderful and glorious journey with the sweetest traveling companion and loveliest family that a man could have.
“My greatest satisfaction is a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that God lives and that the marvelous plan of Eternal Life and Exaltation makes it possible, through the gift of His Beloved Son, our Savior and Redeemer, and through our adherence and faithfulness to the grand course of that Plan, in keeping the Covenants we have made in the Temple of the Lord, for us all to be united in our Eternal Family Circle.”
The hour drew to a close and we headed into the heart of Hinckley to visit the home where 100 years ago, Dad was born.
