destination downing: 2011

Adair, Verl William (Dick), Born August 22, 1920. Passed away December 8, 2011. Dick was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He married Maralee Plummer in April 1947. Survived by his wife Maralee of 64 years; three children: Dan (Barbara), David (Jan) Adair, and Dana (Steve) Ranzenberger. Also survived by 12 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. Dick flew for the original Frontier Airlines from 1948 until his retirement in 1980. He and Maralee served two missions for their Church in Western Samoa and Washington D.C. and served in the Denver Temple. Visitation Wed., 2pm-7pm, Olinger Hampden, 8600 E. Hampden Ave. Viewing Thurs., 10am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 3101 S. Flanders St., with Funeral Services at 11am. Interment, Eastlawn Memorial Gardens. Flowers are always nice, or in memory of Dick, contributions can be made to KADA Foundation, P.O. Box 3514, Littleton, CO 80161.

I was asked to give the eulogy:

My grandpa began his turn on earth August 22, 1920 in Salt Lake City with an instant partner in crime, his twin brother Vern. Born to George and Olga Adair “The twins” as they were referred to, were the second and third of five brothers and kept the family constantly on their toes.

When they were eight, the twins were taken on a streetcar down to the temple grounds in Salt Lake City. They were baptized in the baptismal font in the Tabernacle. He always remembered the twelve oxen that held the font.

Full of life, energy and a fully functioning “Adair” gene, the twins always backed each other up and always had a good time – no matter what they were doing: whether sneaking into the family store to raid the candy counter, taking a donkey to school dressed up like miners, or picking fights with the biggest kid in school.

They loved sports – particularly baseball and football. Their primary baseball team won the all-city championship with Grandpa as the catcher and Vern was the pitcher and they made a great team.

When they were about 11 years old, their uncle Lee decided he didn’t like their names – Vern and Verl – and so he started calling them by Bob and Dick and they used those names ever since.

After graduating from East High School, Grandpa, a young man with a purpose and determination, wanted to get to California for a great job on a ranch. With no other means to get there, he jumped in a boxcar and took the train the whole way. Well, the great job ended up being not so great, it was shoveling manure, and he jumped in a boxcar and rode all the way back home.

In 1940 Grandpa joined the Army air corps with the goal of becoming a pilot. Before he could complete his training, he was in a devastating accident. Left with a broken back and a year and half recovery in the hospital, the doctors told him he would never fly. He was then honorably discharged and made his way back to Utah. While attending Utah State he started flight school – and against the odds was able to fly and receive his pilot’s license.

As he built up his flight hours he moved to California and started working for Swift Air Service. It was here that he was first introduced to his soon to be wife, my Grandma. Grandma recalls being told about a handsome new pilot – who wasn’t just one of those airport bums. Grandpa said she was the most beautiful woman he ever saw. Grandma fell in love with him at the Valentine’s dance. Grandpa asked her to marry him while flying in a two-seat airplane. Grandma said yes and they were married in April of 1947, 64 years ago.

With Danny in tow, they moved back to Salt Lake City to help with the family business. Soon after, David and Dana came along and so did a captain position with Frontier. The family then moved to Aurora, Colorado to a house on Del Mar Circle where Danny and David wrestled and rolled their way through childhood.

Grandpa loved his kids; he loved being a father and was very supportive of them and their activities. He went to all of boys sporting events and was an avid fan. Dana remembers him bringing and fashioning a charcoal grill for her and the rest of the cheerleaders at a very cold game. When my dad and two of his friends made the newspaper page for shaving their heads which at the time was kind of a big deal, Grandpa came right in and stood by the boys. In the article they quoted Grandpa saying “what was done was done; I pitched in and trimmed all three of them up all neat and clean.”

They enjoyed going on family trips together, camping and boating.

As the grandchildren came, Grandpa settled into his new role nicely. Being the type of Grandpa who taught you how to do things, who went water skiing and fishing, played games with you, and let you drive the boat. Who got the video camera out and to capture the good times. Who rode roller coasters and gave you scriptures. Who you knew loved you and wanted what was best for you.

Later on, he and Grandma had the opportunity to serve missions in Western Samoa and in the Washington DC temple. They also enjoyed serving in the Denver Temple as temple workers. They had fun traveling and were able to go all over the world and treasured being together. They found joy in their great-grandkids with family always remaining the center.

He was a man who could fix anything.

He was enthusiastic and upbeat and fun to be around.

He had a great feeling for practical jokes – and loved to laugh.

He had fun playing cards and games.

He liked to fish and golf.

But most of all, Grandpa loved the Lord, he loved his family and he loved to fly (in that order).

The last several months Grandma cared for Grandpa – and everyday, Grandpa would make it a point to tell her thank you. He loved her so very much as she did him. In a card to Grandpa not too long ago, Grandma wrote:

You have been a true partner in this dance of life. For sixty-three years I’ve loved being your wife. The tempo has varied during all these years but we’ve kept on “swinging” through good times and tears… Once in a while you’ve stepped on my toes, but when you’re learning to dance that’s just how it goes. Now we’ve learned all the steps and they’re playing our song – may I have this last dance till our days are all gone?

Only a few days ago, Grandpa said to Grandma, aren’t we lucky – aren’t we lucky we have the gospel in our lives.

I feel so blessed to have lived close to this couple and to have had my grandpa take an active part in my life, my sister’s life and in the lives of my cousins. We were all fortunate to truly know him. I know we all loved and looked up to him and have many memories of the wonderful and fun times we had with him.

As Ezra Taft Benson said to him after ordaining him, “May the Lord Bless you and the Devil miss You.”

PERHAPS!

mommy: "what did you learn at school today?"
aidan: "all sorts of things"

"that would be spectacular"
it was eighties night on dancing with the stars and since we frequently call aidan "aidy" he thought it was his night, "it's my night, it's my night"

"i suppose so"

"our baby is crying!"

as steve was making sandwiches and putting some mustard on the bread, aidan said "daddy, don't squirt any on me" and i asked him when daddy had ever done that to him. he replied, "he hasn't ever done it but i know he wants to"

in nursery on easter aidan learned about how Christ was in the tomb; when he was recounting the story to us, he said "Jesus was in a trap and then they moved the rock and he wasn't there. he was alive!"

at aidan's well check, the nurse called his name to come back, and he walked up to her and asked, "are you a good nurse?" then she said she was and he said "ok" and went with her. the same thing happened when the doctor came in to the room, "are you a good doctor? ...ok"

"the moon is following us!"

"darth bedder is my favorite" (all of his v's seem to be be b's; bolcano, globes, etc.)

"contar" (guitar)

"are you ok mommy?" (aidan has been very sweet and considerate as i have been sick)

as i get to day care to pick aidan up, he runs over to kathi and says "okay kathi, i have to go now, i'll see you tomorrow"

"we have to follow the constructions" (instructions)

"we need to build the crib and put it in my room right next to my bed. then when i wake up i can say hi baby"

"i want to keep this valentine, because i love myself"

"globes" (gloves)"

"what you said?"

Steve gave me a swat - and Aidan said/yells "don't hit my mommy!" Steve says, "why not?" and Aidan says "because she's special; she's a princess!"