Best reasons to agree: +6
This is my dad's life history. Also check out the ongoing projects for my mom, and mom's mom, and dad's mom.
I asked my dad the following questions:
1. What is your full name? Why did your parents select this name for you? Did you have a nickname?
It was his Mom's dad's name (James Anderson). Melvin and Marvin because he was the oldest. He was only 15 minutes older. He would always rub it in.
2. When and where were you born?
Dad was born at the Dee Memorial Hospital in Ogden Utah. This is also where my Mother-in-law was born.
He also lived on the Fort Warren Army and Air Force base, in Shayne Wyoming. Baptized in Shayane. He was living there when WWII broke out in 1941 (December 7th). His Dad was shipped out a month later to Africa. Air force was a branch of the army. They were fighting Germany in 39 and 40. Was living in Shayane when Pearl Harbor was bombed.
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Dad lived in a big three story house. He remembers the way down the fire escape was like a slippery slide.
The house was close to a big prairie. He remembers going out into the prairie with his dad in a Jeep. Had a slide from the 3rd floor.
Would poor water down the hole and catch the gofer out of the hole. Had a camp fire, 3 fire trucks came, and they hid under the porch.
Melvin, Dale, and Dad moved to Salt Lake while he was shipped out. Lived near her mother. Had relatives in the area. Mowed the lawn with the little push mower.
During the War they moved to Camp Lee Virginia when his dad was stationed. Lived there for 4 months. Near Richmond Virginia. Lived there for 4 months until he was shipped to New Guinea. Moved to Monrovia, last year in Jr. High. Met my mom the next year. Moved 2 or 3 places in Monrovia. Dad was shipped to Korea. Went for the Korean prisoner exchange. Moved to Japan for his last year in high school. In High School was in Tokeo. He was the only american who had life saving, etc, and ran the swimming pole.
In the Army was in Sendi. For 2 summers ran a swimming pool (pool manager, lifegaurd, swimming instructor, in Sendai Japan).
Came home. Went to BYU, rode with her. She was in Heritage Halls. Carlene was a dorm mother. She was a Sophmore and Dad was a freshman. He lived down town with a couple of his buddies. He didn't want to take money from his Mom and Dad so he wrote the draft board. Went to Fort Ord by Montera on the Ocean. Got engaged on week vacation, back to fort Ord for 6 weeks, went to Japan. When he was in High School was a life guard in Japan. When he went to Japan in the Army instead of going to become an infantry person, he was put into the special services office, which is how he went into PE. Called him on the phone... went to Company M... went to Division headquarters... Real un military... When he said this is private Laub, they told him not to salute... worked for 18 months... Helped with his school... Had a friend who was from Slippery Rock College in Pennsylvania... The only thing they did was PE... Went into PE. Got books allowance, $150 a month on the GI bill, paid tuition and housing...
Laid carpet when he was in college... Had a friend when he was in High School and so he knew about it... Took summer class, even took a class at Christmas Vacation.
Lived in student housing, which was old army barracks. Had brand new carpet. Had nice furniture. Stayed there 3 years, took a job in Glendora California, at Goddard Jr. High School.
Did student teaching in Tooele Utah Had 2 assignments. The first one was teaching PE in the school district for 4 periods a day. The 2nd assignment was running the teen center at Tooele Army Ordnance Depot. Did that for 6 weeks.
1914 South 8th East Salt Lake City. Lived there up until Jr. High. Front porch, balcany upstairs. Closed. Small small lawn. Liked living close. Made money shoveling sidewalk. Worked on Grocery store on 9th East. Would walk home with groceries for little old ladies, and would get a tip. Got $0.35 an hour. Worked 3 or 4 hours a day, 2 or 3 during school.
Boss would go downstairs and shoot rats (dirt floor). Dad had to get the rats.
Hooky Bob behind cars in the winter.Capture the flag in high school.
While living in Monrovia in California took a 50 mile hike (or more). Started at Cedar Breaks, followed the river. Would shoot fish. Brought a sheep for food. Had to kill it. "That was a hard experience". Killed chickens. More than a week. A cougar followed someone back to camp. 15 people in the troop.
- Its hard to understand yourself very well without trying to figure out parents.
- Your kids will want to know about their grandparents.
- If your kids become famous, biographers will want to know about your family.
- Writing about your parents can be a fun activity that brings your family together. Its a good way to remember stuff.
- A well rounded person can have fun, work hard, relax, and also find time to write about their experiences, or document what they are doing, or did.
- You can't just do stuff all the time... you also have to reflect... going through the process of gathering stories, photos, and memories allows you to process, and look back...
- Every time you spend doing one thing is time you can't spend doing something else.
Score:
# of reasons to agree: +6
# of reasons to disagree: -1
# of reasons to agree with reasons to agree: +0
# of reasons to agree with reasons to disagree: -0
Total Idea Score: +0
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| Mom and Dad in Sun Valley. |
I asked my dad the following questions:
1. What is your full name? Why did your parents select this name for you? Did you have a nickname?
It was his Mom's dad's name (James Anderson). Melvin and Marvin because he was the oldest. He was only 15 minutes older. He would always rub it in.
2. When and where were you born?
Dad was born at the Dee Memorial Hospital in Ogden Utah. This is also where my Mother-in-law was born.
He also lived on the Fort Warren Army and Air Force base, in Shayne Wyoming. Baptized in Shayane. He was living there when WWII broke out in 1941 (December 7th). His Dad was shipped out a month later to Africa. Air force was a branch of the army. They were fighting Germany in 39 and 40. Was living in Shayane when Pearl Harbor was bombed.
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Mom and Dad at BYU.
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The house was close to a big prairie. He remembers going out into the prairie with his dad in a Jeep. Had a slide from the 3rd floor.
Would poor water down the hole and catch the gofer out of the hole. Had a camp fire, 3 fire trucks came, and they hid under the porch.
Melvin, Dale, and Dad moved to Salt Lake while he was shipped out. Lived near her mother. Had relatives in the area. Mowed the lawn with the little push mower.
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| Marvin and Carlene. Reception at Mom and Dad's house. His mom had invited friends and relatives. Bows in hair from presents. Binghms (Mothers Sisters and Brother) Aunt Luella Scola (owned casket company), Aunt Zoy |
In the Army was in Sendi. For 2 summers ran a swimming pool (pool manager, lifegaurd, swimming instructor, in Sendai Japan).
+7-11-2012+2-37-01+PM.JPG) |
| Dad's shoes from when he was a baby |
Laid carpet when he was in college... Had a friend when he was in High School and so he knew about it... Took summer class, even took a class at Christmas Vacation.
Lived in student housing, which was old army barracks. Had brand new carpet. Had nice furniture. Stayed there 3 years, took a job in Glendora California, at Goddard Jr. High School.
Did student teaching in Tooele Utah Had 2 assignments. The first one was teaching PE in the school district for 4 periods a day. The 2nd assignment was running the teen center at Tooele Army Ordnance Depot. Did that for 6 weeks.
1914 South 8th East Salt Lake City. Lived there up until Jr. High. Front porch, balcany upstairs. Closed. Small small lawn. Liked living close. Made money shoveling sidewalk. Worked on Grocery store on 9th East. Would walk home with groceries for little old ladies, and would get a tip. Got $0.35 an hour. Worked 3 or 4 hours a day, 2 or 3 during school.
Boss would go downstairs and shoot rats (dirt floor). Dad had to get the rats.
Hooky Bob behind cars in the winter.Capture the flag in high school.
While living in Monrovia in California took a 50 mile hike (or more). Started at Cedar Breaks, followed the river. Would shoot fish. Brought a sheep for food. Had to kill it. "That was a hard experience". Killed chickens. More than a week. A cougar followed someone back to camp. 15 people in the troop.
3. How did your family come to live there?
Dad was high way patrol man in Ogden, got called into the Army because he was in the reserve and so he had to quite the highway patrol.
When he was a little boy he was proud of him, because he had a motorcycle He was a motorcycle patrol man. In fact he remembers riding with him, and he was very proud of him.
He was an officer in the reserve. Just about everyone got called in during WWII. Married didn't matter. Had 3 kids, still had to go.
Had a glass shield. Red light, blue light, and a siren. Black.
Dad was high way patrol man in Ogden, got called into the Army because he was in the reserve and so he had to quite the highway patrol.
When he was a little boy he was proud of him, because he had a motorcycle He was a motorcycle patrol man. In fact he remembers riding with him, and he was very proud of him.
He was an officer in the reserve. Just about everyone got called in during WWII. Married didn't matter. Had 3 kids, still had to go.
Had a glass shield. Red light, blue light, and a siren. Black.
4. Were there other family members in the area? Who?
Marvin's Grandma lived about 1/2 a block, and Melvin and him would pull weeds and mow the lawn, and would spend a lot of time with Martha Anderson. Gas was hard to get during the war. Vasco was able to get coupons because he was traveling all over the country. They would travel in Utah. Went to Enterprise Utah and rode horses with Uncle Milt and Uncle Reymond. In Beaver Utah, they got a Jeep and rode around, took the jeep down to enterprise. Alta drove the car and Vasco would take the jeep. At the ranch, that is all they used. Set off army smoke bombs in extent volcanoes. Kids thought it was adventurous.
None of Vasco's relatives lived close... They were all in Southern Utah. He had a sister in Jensen in Pocatello and one in Ogden. Aunt Zoy Bingham was in Spanish Fork. Alta had a sister in Salina Utah, and a brother in California. Didn't see the sister in California.
Mom's sister's husband owned a casket company in Salt Lake. Kurt and Luella Scolla. They were the closest to them, because they lived close.
Alta had a sister in Provo, and Marvin had cousins his age, mostly girls. There were a couple of cousins that went off to war together. One of them was killed in Gwam (maybe), and one was killed by lightning after the war was over. They were stationed together. Marvin and his brothers used to go to Prove and ride horses with them too. They would go out to Utah Lake, with horses, and ride on the frozen lake. They lived in Lake Fork.
They went a few times and rode out to the Utah Lake. That was fun riding in a wagon with hay that was being pulled by horses. They went out on the ice with the horses on the Wagon. Would have been in 1942 or 43 while dad was away in the military.
5. What was the house (apartment, farm, etc.) like? How many rooms? Bathrooms? Did it have electricity? Indoor plumbing? Telephones?
Had plumbing. 3 Bathrooms, and a maid that lived on the 3rd floor with her husband. Milli Turner was the maid. They got free board and room. She was married to an enlisted man. Big apartment. Had electricity and telephones, that you had to dial your number.
Also had telephones and stuff in Salt Lake. Still remember's Carlene's phone number in Monrovia. Had party lines. If it rang 3 times, it was our phone, if it rang twice it was for someone else. The other party could pick the phone up and listen, if they wanted to.
When they moved to Monrovia, had private lines.
6. Were there any special items in the house that you remember?
Going for rides in the car. Yellowstone. With Dad, Mom, and Brothers. Used to see more animals than we do now.
8. Describe the personalities of your family members.
Mother was so sweat. Was a very giving person. Dad was very strict. People would say, yes sir and do what he said. Good friends with his twin brother. Dale was older, and not as close. Very close with his twin.
9. What kind of games did you play growing up? What kind of things did you do?
Capture the flag. Kick the can. Used to play monopoly a lot. Also with his Mom and Dad, but especially with his mom. Mostly with scouts, not so much kids in the neighbor hood.
10. What was your favorite toy and why?
"You would laugh if I told you what my favorite toy was. He was worn smooth. Had to be sown up. Melvin and him had teddies bears, and they played with them all the time.
11. What was your favorite thing to do for fun (movies, beach, etc.)?
Shows were $0.25, and had cartoons. At 7, 8, 9 years old would walk to the theater. On 21st house. Would hop on the bus for $0.10 and would go down town to watch shows. Mom trusted them when they were 8, 9, 10 years old, and maybe a couple of other buddies. Sugar House was on 21st south, had a little community, theater, and some stores.
Elementry school was also on 21st. High School right above it. 4 high schools, South, East, West, and North. Would have gone to East High. Went to Jr. High in Salt Lake, was in an elementary school.
Jack Armstrong. Dee Stringham.
12. Did you have family chores? What were they? Which was your least favorite?
Fed rabbits, chickens, got coal into the house. Scariest, because they had to do that at night some times. Would go down real slow, and came back real fast. Washed dishes (never had dish washers). In Ogden (lived there first) would go get the coal. In Salt Lake (age 11 or 12) it was just delivered.
13. Did you receive an allowance? How much? Did you save your money or spend it?
Spent it. Didn't remember getting much of an allowance. Dad would give him a penny for a Hawk, or a nickle for a deer. He would keep him alert, by paying him. The first person to see a licence plate from a particular state, would get a penny. Made more money shoveling side walks.
14. What was school like for you as a child? What were your best and worst subjects? Where did you attend grade school? High school? College?
Started off kindergarten in Ogden, doesn't remember much about it. Both Melvin and him were held back because they had Mumps. Melvin had it first, and then my dad.
Lived downtown Shiane for a while, before they got on the base. Walked home from school, and it was cold. Only 3 or 4 blocks, but it was cold and the snow was deep.
When they moved to the military base, the bus would pick them up and deliver them.
In 1941, was baptized, right after he was baptized went to Salt Lake.
In Salt Lake went to Forest Elementary school. 1st through 7th grade (was in 7th grade when he left). Was in Salt Lake, 3rd, 4rth, 5th, 6th, 7th grade. Dad was on leave, but went for drives when he came back. Went to Yellowstone often, after seeing relatives in Pocatello Idaho.
Went to Clifton Jr. High in Monrovia. Monrovia, Arcadia, Duarte High School (MAD). "MAD our hats off to you". Big, Big high school. That is where he first played football, and Tennis. Earned his Letter in football.
Was Center at Narimasu Japan High School. Center line backer on defense. Liked defense better than Offence. In Japan didn't have the best helmets.
15. What school activities and sports did you participate in?
Football. Drama club at Narimasu High School in Japan. Didn't put on big school plays, just had them in the class. He was the hero in one, and the villain in the other. Annual staff, sports editor. Took pictures, and laid it out. When you come buy I'll show you the yearbook. That is the section I made (the part with him and Melvin).
Dad was voted the most popular boy. The Girl that he was dating was voted the most popular girl.
16. Do you remember any fads from your youth? Popular hairstyles? Clothes?
Had a crew cut. Peroxided his hair, when he was Monrovia. Cut it all of in Japan, and kept it that way. Rolled the sleeve up on T-Shirt (muscles would show). He cuts his own hair. Doesn't go to the barber.
17. Who were your childhood heroes?
Liked football players. When working @ Grocery Store, Von J Featherstone was an assistant manager. He sold programs at the university. Didn't watch a lot of TV. Listened to all the boxing matches but they weren't heros.
His Los Angeles Scout Master, Ken Bills was a hero. 15 got Eagles at the same time. Helped him lay carpet. That is how he got into the carpet business.
Admired his dad. He wasn't home a lot. Was a war hero. He had a parade in Utah. He was the highest ranking officer in Utah, full Colernal, adjagent general. Dad where his scout uniform, got in with him in the Jeep for the 100th year celebration (in 1948) of the "This is the Place Monument". He was 14. He was stationed at Fort Dougles by He was the grand marshal of the 24rth of July .
18. What were your favorite songs and music?
Liked Garth Brooks. Didn't have any favorite songs. When he went to Japan in High School, he liked country music. They played more country music. Loved les miserables. When they got married he loved the musicals, My Boy Bill, sound of music, etc. Before they had kids. When he wanted kids.
19. Did you have any pets? If so, what kind and what were their names?
Tippy. Dauksy.
20. What was your religion growing up? What church, if any, did you attend?
21. Were you ever mentioned in a newspaper?
When he got his eagle. When he was athletic director. Receiving a big check (donation for the football stadium).
Being AD was a fun job. Central was more relaxed.
22. Who were your friends when you were growing up?
Los Angeles (Don Burge. PhD at Carbon College, Kay Brown was a professor at BYU. Died after being married a few years. Friends from high school. Got Eagles together. Went camping a lot. Friends from church). Melvin hang around with a wilder group.
In Japan was friends with Joe Brewer. No LDS kids over there. 1 girl was a freshman, she was 14 he was 18 or 19.
He sends a Christmas Card.
Icea Iceburg
23. What world events had the most impact on you while you were growing up? Did any of them personally affect your family?
WWII dad was gone. Had a flag in the front window with a star in it, that said a man away in a combat zone. Read the papers, read the news about all the bombing. Tracking his dad. Big fight in Egypt in Cyro. In New Guinne and the Japanese were there. Ever day looked for letters from him, and hoped he wouldn't get a letter from the government.
Korean War
Had a scout master in Salt Lake that adopted Melvin and him
24. Describe a typical family dinner. Did you all eat together as a family? Who did the cooking? What were your favorite foods?
A lot of meat loaf and chicken. Breakfast always was favorite. Always had bacon and eggs and toast and jelly. He cooked eggs, and loved Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches. Mom would call on one of them to pray, unless dad was there. Prayed at every meal, and prayed at night. Mother was lonesom. She bought a home in Salt Lake without him there.
25. How were holidays (birthdays, Christmas, etc.) celebrated in your family? Did your family have special traditions?
Always had family together. Her mother, sisters would come. At Thanksgiving would have 10 or 15 people. Sunday meal would all be together. Breakfast maybe was hit or miss, because Dale might leave early.
Had 2 sisters in Salt Lake, 1 sister in Southern Utah, and Pocatel.
Dad loved to Travel. 30 days leave ever year, taken in Summer time.
26. How is the world today different from what it was like when you were a child?
When he was young a lot of young kids were working. Grocery store, paper routes. Hand clippers for edging the grass.
27. Who was the oldest relative you remember as a child? What do you remember about them?
Dad had a brother in Enterprise Utah that was an old bachelor, that was an old grump, but we always went and saw him. Loved Uncle Raymond, and Uncle Milt and they were both great to Dad and Melvin. Would let them ride horses. Even had chaps for them to ride. We thought we were cowboys. We would go to their ranch near enterprise, and ride all over the hills.
My mother's side had ladies, but they weren't any fun. My uncles we would go shooting, riding horses, and having a good time. Mom would always have us see Aunt Zoy and Luwella. Zoy was in Salana Utah, and we would go up... Sometimes a ball would go over the fence. Had German war prisoners, with guards in the towers. They would kick the ball over the fence. Had them going out to do the farm labor. They enjoyed the labor better than just sitting in a cell all day long.
28. What do you know about your family surname?
Laub is Foliage.
29. Is there a naming tradition in your family, such as always giving the firstborn son the name of his paternal grandfather?
No. Just liked the word David. Picked common names because they wished their names were more common. Had a kid in class who's name was Peter Rabitch.
30. What stories have come down to you about your parents? Grandparents? More distant ancestors?
Most of the stories were about traveling. Mother's dad was a rail road guy. Heard he was always on the rail road. Dad's parents died about the time he was born, and didn't know him. Dad's mother died when he was young, and he lived with a step mom, and didn't like her. He left home pretty soon. Went on a mission to Hawaii, 3 years. Loved his mission.
Would go spring vacation.
31. Are there any stories about famous or infamous relatives in your family?
Nope. Mom and Dad were missionaries in New Zealand and Atlanta Georgia. Was stationed in New Guinea in the Army, and so he was glad to go back to New Zealand (didn't want to go back to New Guinea).
One time they went to eat at the Army Barracks in Virginia.
32. Have any recipes been passed down to you from family members?
Not really.
33. Are there any physical characteristics that run in your family?
Mother was
34. Are there any special heirlooms, photos, bibles or other memorabilia that have been passed down in your family?
There is a woodworking plane.
36. When and how did you meet your spouse? What did you do on dates?
37. What was it like when you proposed (or were proposed to)? Where and when did it happen? How did you feel?
38. Where and when did you get married?
St. George Utah.
39. What memory stands out the most from your wedding day?
Where we went: Zions canyon. It was on our Honey Moon. Having a full time partner. That was a new thing for me. Married in the St. George Temple. Both parents came. No cousins or anything. Reception in California, and in Salt Lake, but not in St. George.
Their parents knew each other well. They were in the same ward together in California. Got along well. Weren't friends necessarily
40. How would you describe your spouse? What do (did) you admire most about them?
Caring about other people.
41. What do you believe is the key to a successful marriage?
Give 150%. I don't think you can give too much in a marriage.
42. How did you find out your were going to be a parent for the first time?
Adopted 2. Found out we could get a little boy that was 3 days old. It was quite an adjustment because we didn't have anything for him. We didn't have time to prepare.
In Santa Monica. Kay Brown, a fried of theirs, called to tell them there was a baby who's mom wanted it to go to a Mormon couple. He was a good friend all through high school. Someone in their ward had the baby.
43. Why did you choose your children's names?
Didn't like their unusual names growing up. Beloved (waited a long time). Catherine sounded dignified, Cathy sounded fun, so could have both.
44. What was your proudest moment as a parent?
Seeing kids graduate from college, going on missions, successful in their lives. Happier now then when I was on my mission, with a good job, happy marriage.
45. What did your family enjoy doing together?
Traveling. WWII traveling was restricted, but he could, because he had to . Went to Chicago. Stayed in a big hotel. And Maurice Tillet a professional wrestler from the 1940s walked into the elevator. He was very big, and had coli-flower on his ears.
46. What was your profession and how did you choose it?
Teacher, Physical Education. Worked in a Sports office in the military (Japan) and fell in love with it. Was a business major at first.
47. If you could have had any other profession what would it have been? Why wasn't it your first choice?
Forest Service. Almost took a job in Vernal Utah working for the US forest service. Thought about business in high school. Took typing, accounting, business math.
48. Of all the things you learned from your parents, which do you feel was the most valuable?
Hard work. Scout Oath things. Dad was a good provider and was loyal to his family. His mother was always cheerful. Melvin never says anything negative about anyone.
49. What accomplishments were you the most proud of?
My choice of a wife.
Marvin's Grandma lived about 1/2 a block, and Melvin and him would pull weeds and mow the lawn, and would spend a lot of time with Martha Anderson. Gas was hard to get during the war. Vasco was able to get coupons because he was traveling all over the country. They would travel in Utah. Went to Enterprise Utah and rode horses with Uncle Milt and Uncle Reymond. In Beaver Utah, they got a Jeep and rode around, took the jeep down to enterprise. Alta drove the car and Vasco would take the jeep. At the ranch, that is all they used. Set off army smoke bombs in extent volcanoes. Kids thought it was adventurous.
None of Vasco's relatives lived close... They were all in Southern Utah. He had a sister in Jensen in Pocatello and one in Ogden. Aunt Zoy Bingham was in Spanish Fork. Alta had a sister in Salina Utah, and a brother in California. Didn't see the sister in California.
Mom's sister's husband owned a casket company in Salt Lake. Kurt and Luella Scolla. They were the closest to them, because they lived close.
Alta had a sister in Provo, and Marvin had cousins his age, mostly girls. There were a couple of cousins that went off to war together. One of them was killed in Gwam (maybe), and one was killed by lightning after the war was over. They were stationed together. Marvin and his brothers used to go to Prove and ride horses with them too. They would go out to Utah Lake, with horses, and ride on the frozen lake. They lived in Lake Fork.
They went a few times and rode out to the Utah Lake. That was fun riding in a wagon with hay that was being pulled by horses. They went out on the ice with the horses on the Wagon. Would have been in 1942 or 43 while dad was away in the military.
5. What was the house (apartment, farm, etc.) like? How many rooms? Bathrooms? Did it have electricity? Indoor plumbing? Telephones?
Had plumbing. 3 Bathrooms, and a maid that lived on the 3rd floor with her husband. Milli Turner was the maid. They got free board and room. She was married to an enlisted man. Big apartment. Had electricity and telephones, that you had to dial your number.
Also had telephones and stuff in Salt Lake. Still remember's Carlene's phone number in Monrovia. Had party lines. If it rang 3 times, it was our phone, if it rang twice it was for someone else. The other party could pick the phone up and listen, if they wanted to.
When they moved to Monrovia, had private lines.
6. Were there any special items in the house that you remember?
- Piano. Took piano lessons 1 summer. Dale was good. Dad didn't like it.
- Had a dog, Tippy. Small mongril. No leash. Ran free. Melvin and Him had bunk beds. Marvin was on the bottom, Melvin on the top, and the dog under him. Didn't have it very long. It got ran over, didn't get another one because they were in high school. Marv and Carlene had a dotson, too cold to take to Idaho. Chain link, corner lot.
- Had a Coal Furnace with a stoker, and an auger. You would have to take the clankers out.
- Mom was spending a lot of time doing Genealogy, 2 or 3 days a week. The genealogy center was just a whole in the wall at that time. Would take the buss. In her history she wrote about how she got very sick. She promised that if she could be there for her 3 sons, she would do everything she could to help. A lot of people helped while dad was gone. She went on a mission to the Southern States. Very religious person. 4'-8". When he left home, his arm was over the top of her head. Was a neat mother. Always happy and pleasant. Alta Lealette Anderson.
- Melvin and him slept on the back porch. Glass windows all the way across the top. And they had big down blankets. They loved the porch. It was great in the summer, because they had all these windows that opened the length of the room.
Going for rides in the car. Yellowstone. With Dad, Mom, and Brothers. Used to see more animals than we do now.
8. Describe the personalities of your family members.
Mother was so sweat. Was a very giving person. Dad was very strict. People would say, yes sir and do what he said. Good friends with his twin brother. Dale was older, and not as close. Very close with his twin.
9. What kind of games did you play growing up? What kind of things did you do?
Capture the flag. Kick the can. Used to play monopoly a lot. Also with his Mom and Dad, but especially with his mom. Mostly with scouts, not so much kids in the neighbor hood.
10. What was your favorite toy and why?
"You would laugh if I told you what my favorite toy was. He was worn smooth. Had to be sown up. Melvin and him had teddies bears, and they played with them all the time.
11. What was your favorite thing to do for fun (movies, beach, etc.)?
Shows were $0.25, and had cartoons. At 7, 8, 9 years old would walk to the theater. On 21st house. Would hop on the bus for $0.10 and would go down town to watch shows. Mom trusted them when they were 8, 9, 10 years old, and maybe a couple of other buddies. Sugar House was on 21st south, had a little community, theater, and some stores.
Elementry school was also on 21st. High School right above it. 4 high schools, South, East, West, and North. Would have gone to East High. Went to Jr. High in Salt Lake, was in an elementary school.
Jack Armstrong. Dee Stringham.
12. Did you have family chores? What were they? Which was your least favorite?
Fed rabbits, chickens, got coal into the house. Scariest, because they had to do that at night some times. Would go down real slow, and came back real fast. Washed dishes (never had dish washers). In Ogden (lived there first) would go get the coal. In Salt Lake (age 11 or 12) it was just delivered.
13. Did you receive an allowance? How much? Did you save your money or spend it?
Spent it. Didn't remember getting much of an allowance. Dad would give him a penny for a Hawk, or a nickle for a deer. He would keep him alert, by paying him. The first person to see a licence plate from a particular state, would get a penny. Made more money shoveling side walks.
14. What was school like for you as a child? What were your best and worst subjects? Where did you attend grade school? High school? College?
Started off kindergarten in Ogden, doesn't remember much about it. Both Melvin and him were held back because they had Mumps. Melvin had it first, and then my dad.
Lived downtown Shiane for a while, before they got on the base. Walked home from school, and it was cold. Only 3 or 4 blocks, but it was cold and the snow was deep.
When they moved to the military base, the bus would pick them up and deliver them.
In 1941, was baptized, right after he was baptized went to Salt Lake.
In Salt Lake went to Forest Elementary school. 1st through 7th grade (was in 7th grade when he left). Was in Salt Lake, 3rd, 4rth, 5th, 6th, 7th grade. Dad was on leave, but went for drives when he came back. Went to Yellowstone often, after seeing relatives in Pocatello Idaho.
Went to Clifton Jr. High in Monrovia. Monrovia, Arcadia, Duarte High School (MAD). "MAD our hats off to you". Big, Big high school. That is where he first played football, and Tennis. Earned his Letter in football.
Was Center at Narimasu Japan High School. Center line backer on defense. Liked defense better than Offence. In Japan didn't have the best helmets.
15. What school activities and sports did you participate in?
Football. Drama club at Narimasu High School in Japan. Didn't put on big school plays, just had them in the class. He was the hero in one, and the villain in the other. Annual staff, sports editor. Took pictures, and laid it out. When you come buy I'll show you the yearbook. That is the section I made (the part with him and Melvin).
Dad was voted the most popular boy. The Girl that he was dating was voted the most popular girl.
16. Do you remember any fads from your youth? Popular hairstyles? Clothes?
Had a crew cut. Peroxided his hair, when he was Monrovia. Cut it all of in Japan, and kept it that way. Rolled the sleeve up on T-Shirt (muscles would show). He cuts his own hair. Doesn't go to the barber.
17. Who were your childhood heroes?
Liked football players. When working @ Grocery Store, Von J Featherstone was an assistant manager. He sold programs at the university. Didn't watch a lot of TV. Listened to all the boxing matches but they weren't heros.
His Los Angeles Scout Master, Ken Bills was a hero. 15 got Eagles at the same time. Helped him lay carpet. That is how he got into the carpet business.
Admired his dad. He wasn't home a lot. Was a war hero. He had a parade in Utah. He was the highest ranking officer in Utah, full Colernal, adjagent general. Dad where his scout uniform, got in with him in the Jeep for the 100th year celebration (in 1948) of the "This is the Place Monument". He was 14. He was stationed at Fort Dougles by He was the grand marshal of the 24rth of July .
18. What were your favorite songs and music?
Liked Garth Brooks. Didn't have any favorite songs. When he went to Japan in High School, he liked country music. They played more country music. Loved les miserables. When they got married he loved the musicals, My Boy Bill, sound of music, etc. Before they had kids. When he wanted kids.
19. Did you have any pets? If so, what kind and what were their names?
Tippy. Dauksy.
20. What was your religion growing up? What church, if any, did you attend?
21. Were you ever mentioned in a newspaper?
When he got his eagle. When he was athletic director. Receiving a big check (donation for the football stadium).
Being AD was a fun job. Central was more relaxed.
22. Who were your friends when you were growing up?
Los Angeles (Don Burge. PhD at Carbon College, Kay Brown was a professor at BYU. Died after being married a few years. Friends from high school. Got Eagles together. Went camping a lot. Friends from church). Melvin hang around with a wilder group.
In Japan was friends with Joe Brewer. No LDS kids over there. 1 girl was a freshman, she was 14 he was 18 or 19.
He sends a Christmas Card.
Icea Iceburg
23. What world events had the most impact on you while you were growing up? Did any of them personally affect your family?
WWII dad was gone. Had a flag in the front window with a star in it, that said a man away in a combat zone. Read the papers, read the news about all the bombing. Tracking his dad. Big fight in Egypt in Cyro. In New Guinne and the Japanese were there. Ever day looked for letters from him, and hoped he wouldn't get a letter from the government.
Korean War
Had a scout master in Salt Lake that adopted Melvin and him
24. Describe a typical family dinner. Did you all eat together as a family? Who did the cooking? What were your favorite foods?
A lot of meat loaf and chicken. Breakfast always was favorite. Always had bacon and eggs and toast and jelly. He cooked eggs, and loved Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches. Mom would call on one of them to pray, unless dad was there. Prayed at every meal, and prayed at night. Mother was lonesom. She bought a home in Salt Lake without him there.
25. How were holidays (birthdays, Christmas, etc.) celebrated in your family? Did your family have special traditions?
Always had family together. Her mother, sisters would come. At Thanksgiving would have 10 or 15 people. Sunday meal would all be together. Breakfast maybe was hit or miss, because Dale might leave early.
Had 2 sisters in Salt Lake, 1 sister in Southern Utah, and Pocatel.
Dad loved to Travel. 30 days leave ever year, taken in Summer time.
26. How is the world today different from what it was like when you were a child?
When he was young a lot of young kids were working. Grocery store, paper routes. Hand clippers for edging the grass.
27. Who was the oldest relative you remember as a child? What do you remember about them?
Dad had a brother in Enterprise Utah that was an old bachelor, that was an old grump, but we always went and saw him. Loved Uncle Raymond, and Uncle Milt and they were both great to Dad and Melvin. Would let them ride horses. Even had chaps for them to ride. We thought we were cowboys. We would go to their ranch near enterprise, and ride all over the hills.
My mother's side had ladies, but they weren't any fun. My uncles we would go shooting, riding horses, and having a good time. Mom would always have us see Aunt Zoy and Luwella. Zoy was in Salana Utah, and we would go up... Sometimes a ball would go over the fence. Had German war prisoners, with guards in the towers. They would kick the ball over the fence. Had them going out to do the farm labor. They enjoyed the labor better than just sitting in a cell all day long.
28. What do you know about your family surname?
Laub is Foliage.
29. Is there a naming tradition in your family, such as always giving the firstborn son the name of his paternal grandfather?
No. Just liked the word David. Picked common names because they wished their names were more common. Had a kid in class who's name was Peter Rabitch.
30. What stories have come down to you about your parents? Grandparents? More distant ancestors?
Most of the stories were about traveling. Mother's dad was a rail road guy. Heard he was always on the rail road. Dad's parents died about the time he was born, and didn't know him. Dad's mother died when he was young, and he lived with a step mom, and didn't like her. He left home pretty soon. Went on a mission to Hawaii, 3 years. Loved his mission.
Would go spring vacation.
31. Are there any stories about famous or infamous relatives in your family?
Nope. Mom and Dad were missionaries in New Zealand and Atlanta Georgia. Was stationed in New Guinea in the Army, and so he was glad to go back to New Zealand (didn't want to go back to New Guinea).
One time they went to eat at the Army Barracks in Virginia.
32. Have any recipes been passed down to you from family members?
Not really.
33. Are there any physical characteristics that run in your family?
Mother was
34. Are there any special heirlooms, photos, bibles or other memorabilia that have been passed down in your family?
There is a woodworking plane.
36. When and how did you meet your spouse? What did you do on dates?
37. What was it like when you proposed (or were proposed to)? Where and when did it happen? How did you feel?
38. Where and when did you get married?
St. George Utah.
39. What memory stands out the most from your wedding day?
Where we went: Zions canyon. It was on our Honey Moon. Having a full time partner. That was a new thing for me. Married in the St. George Temple. Both parents came. No cousins or anything. Reception in California, and in Salt Lake, but not in St. George.
Their parents knew each other well. They were in the same ward together in California. Got along well. Weren't friends necessarily
40. How would you describe your spouse? What do (did) you admire most about them?
Caring about other people.
41. What do you believe is the key to a successful marriage?
Give 150%. I don't think you can give too much in a marriage.
42. How did you find out your were going to be a parent for the first time?
Adopted 2. Found out we could get a little boy that was 3 days old. It was quite an adjustment because we didn't have anything for him. We didn't have time to prepare.
In Santa Monica. Kay Brown, a fried of theirs, called to tell them there was a baby who's mom wanted it to go to a Mormon couple. He was a good friend all through high school. Someone in their ward had the baby.
43. Why did you choose your children's names?
Didn't like their unusual names growing up. Beloved (waited a long time). Catherine sounded dignified, Cathy sounded fun, so could have both.
44. What was your proudest moment as a parent?
Seeing kids graduate from college, going on missions, successful in their lives. Happier now then when I was on my mission, with a good job, happy marriage.
45. What did your family enjoy doing together?
Traveling. WWII traveling was restricted, but he could, because he had to . Went to Chicago. Stayed in a big hotel. And Maurice Tillet a professional wrestler from the 1940s walked into the elevator. He was very big, and had coli-flower on his ears.
46. What was your profession and how did you choose it?
Teacher, Physical Education. Worked in a Sports office in the military (Japan) and fell in love with it. Was a business major at first.
47. If you could have had any other profession what would it have been? Why wasn't it your first choice?
Forest Service. Almost took a job in Vernal Utah working for the US forest service. Thought about business in high school. Took typing, accounting, business math.
48. Of all the things you learned from your parents, which do you feel was the most valuable?
Hard work. Scout Oath things. Dad was a good provider and was loyal to his family. His mother was always cheerful. Melvin never says anything negative about anyone.
49. What accomplishments were you the most proud of?
My choice of a wife.
Oh my gosh! My mom was born in the Dee Memorial Hospital in Ogden. It's a small world after all!!! (This is Amy)
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