President Gordon B. Hinckley said that despite the violence that has characterized this century, "at the same time, this has been a century of enlightenment and progress. .

"And somehow under the providence of the lord, my brothers and sisters, you and I have been born in this great season, in this the dispensation of the fullness of times when the God of heaven has restored to the earth all of the powers, the authority, the blessings of all previous dispensations of time. I thank the Lord every morning of my life for the land and time of my birth. How profoundly grateful we ought to be---a chosen generation, a holy congregation of saints who, as I interpret, believe in God our Eternal Father and in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ."

AMEN! How true and how blessed we all are for the great abundance we enjoy and we owe that debt of gratitude to our wonderful parents and grandparents and all those who sacrificed so much for our happiness, our well being, and our testimony.

"Celebrating their golden wedding anniversary this month are Mr. and Mrs. Calvin D.McOmber, long time residents of Pocatello who now make their home at 549 Desoto Street, Salt Lake City. (Later moved to 122 Duplex Place, SLC)

A weekend of festivities is being planned to honor the couple. Friends and relatives are invited to a reception Friday from 7:30 to 10 p.m. It will be held at the Capital Hill Ward Chapel in Salt Lake City. The family requests no gifts.

Saturday evening will feature a special gathering of McOmbers' eight children, seven sons and one daughter, all living, and their 39 living grandchildren.

Traveling from Palo Alto, California, will be Mr. and Mrs. Ferryle B. McOmber and family and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Teerlink and family. Arriving from Los Altos, California will be Mr. and Mrs. Emerson McOmber and family and from Hayward, Calif., Mr. and Mrs. Adrian McOmber and family.

Pocatellians who will attend the anniversary activities will be Mr. and Mrs. Calvin D. McOmber Jr. and family, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur F. McOmber and family.

Salt Lake residents helping with arrangements are Mr. and Mrs. Winston McOmber and family and Mr. and Mrs. David McOmber and family. Missing will be the oldest grandson, George McOmber, who is serving in the LDS Finnish Mission.

This will be a month of wedding anniversaries for the McOmbers. Besides the golden wedding, the Emerson McOmbers will observe their 20th anniversary June 21. The Arthur McOmbers will celebrate their 19th anniversary the same day. June 27 will mark the anniversary of the Teerlinks.

The golden anniversary couple was married June 24, 1909, and later the nuptials were solemnized in the LDS Temple October 7, 1909.

Calvin D. McOmber was born August 22, 1885, in Hyde Park, Utah, a son of Orange and Marinda Griffith McOmber. In 1897 he made his home in Star Valley, Wyoming. Later in 1902 he went to Dublan in Old Mexico. He received his schooling at the Juarez Academy.

Achsah Stout McOmber was born November 14, 1889, in Rockville, Utah, a daughter of David F. and Henrietta Cox Stout. In 1901 she moved with her parents to Dublan, Mexico. She attended Juarez Academy also.

From 1914 to 1925 the McOmbers made their home in Oakley, Idaho, where he served as Superintendent of the Sunday School and a member of the ward bishopric.

The couple resided in Pocatello from 1925 to November 1, 1958. McOmber was for many years a member of the High Council of the old Pocatello Stake. For the last 15 years he served as patriarch of the West Pocatello Stake. He is at present patriarch of the Salt Lake Stake.

After the McOmbers had sent six sons on LDS missions, they served a full time mission in the Southern States.

Mrs. McOmber has been active in the LDS Women's Relief Society serving as both theology class leader and literary class leader

Winston Isaiah McOmber Born December 27, 1918 Oakley, Idaho.
Married Louise Tyler June 5, 1944 Salt Lake Temple.

Adrian Stout McOmber Born January 29, 1921 at Oakley Idaho.
Married Lulu Grace Cook, April 26, 1944 at Logan Temple,

David Ivins McOmber Born January 24, 1923 Married Rachel Ann Baird, September 29, 1947 at Logan Temple, Utah

Velma McOmber Born February 26, 1927, Pocatello, Bannock, Idaho
Married Clarence George Teerlink in the Salt Lake Temple on June 27, 1947.
The Calvin Delos and Achsah Stout McOmber Family in early '30s
Back L to R, David, Winston, Ferryl, Arthur, Adrian
Front: Calvin Jr, father Calvin, Velma, mother Achsah and Emerson Calvin D. McOmber Sr. writes about his children: (1950's)

There isn't much to say more than that our family is an ordinary LDS group, striving to live according to the standards of the church and the principles of the gospel. As a poor youth, I was unable to go on a mission, but hoped the privilege would be mine later. I would like to have had a mission at age 17. As our sons came along my wife and I hoped we could sustain them on missions.

The fulfillment of our hopes began to materialize in November of 1932 when our oldest son, Calvin, left for his mission to Czechoslovakia. He served for 42 months. On January of 1934 our second son, George Emerson left home for his mission to the Southern States where he served in the Mission Office with the newly appointed President La Grande Richards for nearly eighteen months. He balanced off the 27 months as President of the Florida district and came home in time to meet his brother Calvin at April Conference, as he returned from Europe in 1936.

In June of 1944, the call came from President Grant for my wife and I to take a six month mission to the Southern States. We entered the mission home November l1, 1944. Upon our arrival at Atlanta Ga., we were assigned to labor at Tampa Florida where I was appointed a member of the Branch Presidency. We did regular missionary work also worked in the Branch organizations. We returned to our home May 29, 1945.

Our seven sons and one daughter have all been married in the Temple and are active in the Church. Our daughter Velma M. Teerlink is President of Idaho Falls 9th Ward Relief Society at the age of 23.

I trust there is no element of boasting in this letter for we wish only to express our appreciation to our Father in Heaven for the choice blessings our family has received and are now enjoying in the Church by reason of the Gospel. I hesitated writing until several of our friends urged me and asked for more information concerning the missions of our family. The first two boys over lapped 27 months, Arthur and Ferryle, 12 months, Winston and Adrian, 6 months. All are active in their ward, stake, and temple callings. Thus our strict observance of the Word of Wisdom, having never used tea, coffee, tobacco, or alcoholic beverages.

Calvin was born in Groveland in a small log house, a suburb of Blackfoot, Idaho, April 11, 1910, the first child of Calvin Delos McOmber, Sr. and Achsah Stout. The family had residence at that time in Guadalupe, Old Mexico to which they returned and where they resided until the revolution and expulsion in 1912. By this time he had a younger brother, George Emerson, his only close companion to the time of his departure on a mission to Czechoslovakia in 1932.

After a two year stay in Logan, Utah, the McOmber family moved to Oakley, Idaho, filed on some land on the west slope of Warm Spring Mountain, starved three years on a dry farm and moved to town. It was here that Calvin spent his childhood herding cows, working on the farm and roaming bare-footed in the sage brush around their home. Paying off debts and survival occupied all the time of the family including the older boys, Calvin and Emerson....except of course, church attendance and service on Sundays.

In Oakley Calvin graduated from the Oakley Rural Grade School (eight grades) and finished one year in the High School. Here he got his first experience in a church position as president of the Deacons' Quorum with Earl Larsen and Willie G. Nelson as counselors. Besides passing the sacrament in church services, the Deacons did the janitor work. This meant cleaning the chapel with its six class rooms and firing two large heaters in the chapel. They were thankful that the class rooms had electric heaters.

In 1925, the family moved to Pocatello early in the Summer, except for Calvin who was working for L.J. Robinson Sr. on a ranch between Oakley and Burley. He followed in early Fall. By this time, he had six younger brothers: Emerson, Arthur, Ferryle, Winston, and David. The family had concluded there were to be no girls in their family despite their longing for one.

In Pocatello, the McOmber family soon had many friends, mainly in the Church where most of their social contacts were made. Calvin and Emerson made marks in High School athletics. Emerson went on in college basket ball playing for U.I.S.B. and B.Y.U.. But church responsibilities came first with them. The family "had all things in common" financially. Each boy turned in all his earnings to the parents. Little or less was spent for shows and other pleasures. The church activities were the main source of social delights. The Fifth Ward with Bishop James A. Quinn at the head was very friendly and glad to put members of the McOmber family to work.
Sunday School Superintendent Harry Anderson called Calvin to teach a Sunday School class, and he has taught one class or another ever since. Except for a few years in school in Utah and three and a half years on a mission in Czechoslovakia, he has lived in the fifth and sixteenth wards in Pocatello. He is grateful to the leaders and members of these wards and the stakes of his residence for much opportunity for development in the Church. Likewise his brothers, and even a sister, Velma born at 268 Roosevelt Ave. in the Fifth Ward, are grateful for the training they received in their youth in the Church.

In 1932, Calvin was called on a mission to Czechoslovakia. There he served nearly three and a half years under the leadership of Arthur Gaeth. The extra time beyond the three year mission was spent working with a minister near Prague whom he baptized before leaving for home, in the Spring of 1936. Since then most of his life has been in Pocatello where he has been privileged to serve in many positions in the Church. He was president of the Pocatello Stake Mission, counselor in the Fifth Ward Bishopric to Bishop Louis E. Henderson, member of the Pocatello Stake High Council under President William P. Whitaker, counselor to President Wayne Austin and to President Myron L. Western and is currently serving since October 25, 1975 as counselor to President Delbert V. Groberg in the Idaho Falls Temple Presidency. Since 1959 he has served a Patriarch to the Pocatello West Stake. Since 1964 he has been an officiator in that temple.

Most of his life he has taught in fields of medical science including Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology and in religion including all the courses offered in Seminary and Institute of Religion. Teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been most interesting to him. This, he calls "the science which includes all science, the truth including all truth." His hobby is carpentry.

He retired from professional teaching Sept. 30, 1975, two days before being called to President Spencer W. Kimball's office for interview relative to a call to the presidency of the Idaho Falls Temple. The last twenty-two years he served as Associate Director of the L.D.S. Institute of Religion at Pocatello, Idaho State University.

On April 30, 1937 he married Frances Brodil of Prague, Czechoslovakia in the Salt Lake Temple. He had met Frances while they both were serving missions. Frances was a member missionary there. They are the parents of five children: George Brodil, Frances Marie (deceased), Calvin Brodil, Charles Brodil, and Ruth. Except for Charles who had brain damage at birth and is living in a special home for retarded adults, all these living children have college degrees and have served missions for the Church. George B. went to Finland, Calvin to Austria and Bavaria, and Ruth to North Britain. They were all born at Pocatello, Idaho. George: May 19, 1938; Frances Marie, June 21,1939; Calvin Brodil., October 19, 1941; Charles April 13, 1944. and Ruth (Mrs. John P. Pratt) July 17, 1945.

Education:
High School: Oakley High School and Pocatello High
University: University of Idaho, Southern branch at Pocatello, Idaho
Idaho State College at Pocatello (now Idaho State University)
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
Brigham Young University, Utah.
B.A. in Zoology and Chemistry at BYU.
M.A. in Educational Administration and Modern Scripture, at BYU.

Church Activities:
Mission to Czechoslovakia 1932 to 1936
President of Pocatello Stake Mission
Sr. President of 346th Quorum of Seventy
Counselor in the Bishopric, Pocatello 5th Ward.
High Councilor Pocatello Stake
Councilor in Pocatello West Stake Presidency
Temple Officiator in Idaho Falls Temple
Patriarch to the Pocatello West Stake
Counselor in Idaho Falls Temple Presidency
Czech Mission representative, Under President Kimbal, and went two times to Czechoslovakia with Frances to visit and help the Czech saints behind the Iron Curtain at President Kimbal's request.
Assistant Scout Master, Republican precinct committeeman #23, Bannock County, Idaho, Dairy Farmer, home builder, and apartment land lord, sang tenor in the ward choir and family quartet, a great athlete with the ward and student competitions.

Teaching experience:
Taught High School Chemistry and Human Physiology
Taught College Chemistry
At the Public Hospital to Nurses, taught Human Anatomy and Physiology.
In the Church Educational system was Seminary principal and teacher and Associate Director of the Institute of Religion at Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho. Ruth McOmber Pratt, writes of her father, Calvin D. McOmber, Jr:

To You, My Dear Daddy By Ruth

Dear Father, standing tall, straight and true
I'm so thankful God gave me to you

Handsome, strong, upright and brave
Honoring your priesthood, our souls you did save

Valiant, obedient, steadfast to God's call
Teacher, builder, athlete of basketball

Blessed by your hands, anointed our heads
Healed us, protected us, sheltered our beds

You gave us perfect safety, harmony and song
Our home was a haven, a refuge from all wrong

A strictly disciplined man, frugal and fine
Truly tempered steal, you were refined

Temple worker, farmer, missionary too
Thank you dear daddy for giving me to you.

Consequently, she raised her children in "the Church", which was her home. She embraced Mormonism to its fullest and stayed true to its principles, even during the next war without contact or priesthood leadership with the Church. She is known as the Mother of the Czech mission for it was her efforts that brought the mission into Czechoslovakia after she had persevered for ten long hard years writing to church leaders, mission presidents and then finally to President Grant. To her great joy, President John A. Widtsoe came under President Grant's assignment to dedicate the Czech mission July 24, 1929. Frantiska Vesela Brodil passed away soon after the dedication with a testimony on her lips and joy in heart that her life long dream had become realized: A mission to her beloved country of Czechoslovakia had been established and missionaries were being sent to her land.

Frances (daughter), attended High School (Gymnasium) and Business College in Prague where she lived with her mother and sister, Jane. They returned to their native land after the war. Frances and Jane, her sister, worked as member missionaries and spent countless hours translating the German Book of Mormon into Czech. Both Jane and Frances were well trained as translators and were employed for their translating abilities. Frances worked as a Sunday School teacher, Genealogist, and Gleaner Girl. Both sisters married Czech missionaries and went to " Zion", the dream of their life. Frances tells it in her own words:

"In the Autumn of 1932, a new group of missionaries arrived in Prague. Among them was Elder Calvin Delos McOmber, Jr. We attended our Mutual Meeting where President and Sister Gaeth introduced them to us. I didn't know that I was shaking hands with my future husband!

The new missionaries were transferred to different cities and we didn't see Elder McOmber, except at conferences. President and Sister Gaeth kept telling us what a wonderful and successful missionary Elder McOmber was. We were happy to hear that, but didn't pay too much attention. "He probably is their favorite," I thought. At the end of his mission, Elder McOmber transferred to Prague where he spent a few months finishing his mission, being asked to extend. He spoke well, knew the Gospel, and had many admirers because of his sincerity and strong testimony. I was one of his secret admirers. We had a special farewell meeting for him before he left, having filled 30 month's honorable mission.

About one month after Elder McOmber left, he sent us a very casual and polite letter, greetings from home. Then in the fall of 1936, we found another letter in our mailbox. Jane took it, opened and started to read it. She turned hurriedly and said: "Oh, this is only for you!" She was right. I received a most beautiful letter from Elder McOmber, written in a humble and loving spirit. He said that he was attending college in Pocatello, helping his Father in the dairy business, and doing missionary work. He didn't have very much to offer in material things, but that he had learned to love me and asked me to be his wife.

I was stunned and happily surprised when I read his sweet and honest words of love and admiration. The one I truly loved had asked me to be his wife! Now I could admit it. I wrote him back and mentioned the odds and difficulties such a marriage would bring to him. I told him that I loved him, also. He answered that he was aware of all these things, that he loved me and would like to marry me. I was over-joyed! I received a very nice and kind letter from Calvin's parents. However, parting with my sister Jane was very very difficult. "

I arrived in Pocatello, Idaho April 25, 1937 and we were married April 30, 1937 in the Salt Lake Temple by Elder John A Widtsoe. President Widtsoe had been the European Mission President and Knew us well. We were invited to their home for our wedding breakfast."

Frances and Calvin had a great love for each other and had a very happy life together. Frances worked in the church all of her life and was a very dedicated mother to her children. She was a real home body. Home made bread, Czech breads, stew and soup were family favorites and she always had a loving hand and kind word of encouragement for us. To this day, age 90 years old, she still says,' I love you, more than myself.' She is struggling with Alzheimers and lives with her daughter Ruth, in Orem Utah. On November 3rd, 1980, my mother Frances was visiting her sister Jane in Salt Lake City, awaiting her husband to pick her up from his assignment from California. She had a dream that night that her husband, Calvin came to her all dressed in white. He put his arms around her and kissed her. She awoke and told her sister Jane the dream. That morning a call came from California: Calvin has had a heart attack and has died. We were all terribly grief stricken. It was a terrible shock to all of us.

I, Ruth, have had many comforting dreams where Daddy has come to me. One was a beautiful dream where I saw him being embraced by a large group of people. There were many families. Families within families. What a great reunion awaits those who are faithful to the Lord as was my father. His greatest desire was to go on a mission. Another dream was so beautiful. I saw my father on a stand speaking to an audience as large as a foot ball stadium. He asked me to come and sing with him. We sang together: " Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory of the Coming of the Lord". I awoke with tears of joy. Perhaps Daddy is the
"Billy Graham" in the spirit world. No doubt he is teaching his beloved Czechoslovakian people. I know he is our guardian angel and is checking in on us from time to time. I hope he isn't disappointed in us.

Missionary service of their children:
George: Finland
Children: Richard to Sweden
Roger to California
Mark to Colorado
Steven to Canary Islands
Michelle to Nova Scotia Canada 1995

Calvin Brodil served in Germany
Children: David to Texas
Carl to Czechoslovakia

Ruth to North England
Children: John Calvin to Portugal
Julie to Spain, Bilboa mission 1995
A total of 14 missions served thus far, and hope for many more
there are 20 grand children and nine great grandchildren .
George Brodil McOmber, a grandchild writes about Grandfather:

"Grandfather was always, in my recollections, a very kind, gentle, and caring man. Grandfather was always quick to include me and the other available grandchildren on trips to get cattle from the pasture grazing lands. Grandfather helped me to gain my Eagle Scout award by instructing me relative to all merit badges involving animals, dairying, agriculture etc. He also provided work projects to earn money to go to camp or buy uniforms etc. Grandfather kept a cow or two and I always knew that I could negotiate the use of his new car if I would milk his cows for him. Grandfather was always exemplary of the Gospel. The only position I recall Grandfather holding, was that of Patriarch which I think of often as I now try to fill the same calling as Patriarch, Grandfather and Father."

Years later, Grandfather (Calvin D.McOmber) Blessed his great grand son: Mark George McOmber, son of George and Carol, the first Sunday in May 1960's. Four generations:

Second child: George Emerson
Family L to R: Nancy, Legrand, Evelyn, Emerson Jr,Emerson Sr. Josie, Carolyn, Ann in the front
Emerson Sr. Was the only child born in the colonies, Old Mexico January 24, 1912 Guadalupe, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Elementary school in Oakley Idaho
High School: Pocatello High. Played the Idaho Championship basketball, and received national recognition in a Chicago competition.
Idaho State College played basketball, majored in science two years
BYU graduate in chemistry, 1933 star basketball player.
Served a mission to Southern states, District President at Florida
Became a chemist and established his own business:McOmber Soap and Chemical Co. (which once was the McOmber Dairy) at 2711 Pole Line Rd. Pocatello Idaho
Married Josie Tindal in the Salt Lake Temple June 21,1939
Served as Stake Mission President, and Stake High Council and
Served as Bishop of the 9th ward for eight years, Pocatello Idaho.
1956 moved to California and went into building and construction.
Licensed General contractor in 1958High Council of Palo Alto, Stockton served faithfully, then to Clements, CaliforniaOver 20 years of Temple work at Oakland, California, with his wife Josie.

George Emerson McOmber Writes about Family History:

"For a Book of Remembrance we have written among us, according to the pattern given by the finger of God and it is given in our own language".
Moses 6:46

My parents, Calvin Delos and Achsah Stout McOmber, were living in the small Mexican colony of Guadelupe when I was born in January of 1912. There were two main colonies, Juarez and Dublan, and at least six others which were populated mainly by polygamist families.

My mother's father, David Fisk Stout, had four wives and twenty-eight children. My grandmother, Henrietta Cox, was the first wife. Her responsibilities included being the midwife and the school teacher for the colony.

There were no modern conveniences, yet there was much of great value for us. There was no crime in the communities as the majority of the population was devoted Church members. Everyone was expected to earn his own way and be willing to help his neighbor. One hundred percent church attendance was common. Our faith in God was firm; we knew He would see us through our extremities.

Realizing the importance of education, schools were built. My mother graduated from an academy built in Juarez.

Some famous Church families had colonized in Mexico at that time. The Eyrings, Romneys, Farnsworths and others trace their Church heritage back to Mexico.

Mexican bandits and reactionaries drove the colonists out of Mexico when I was six months old. Notice came from the Church leaders for us to gather what belongings we could and board a freight train that would be passing through Casas Grandes and on to El Paso, Texas. There we would be provided with food and shelter.

From Mexico my parents moved to Oakley, a little town in southern Idaho. We lived there for eleven years. We had the barest necessities of life. My older brother and I herded cows in the summer and went to school in the winter. From Oakley we moved to Pocatello, Idaho.

While in Pocatello, I helped my folks with our dairy and went to school. I was starting center on our high school basketball team. We won the state championship in 1929 and played in the national tournament in Chicago, which we nearly won. After high school I attended the University of Idaho Southern Branch where I also played basketball. After a game against B.Y. U., I was asked if I would be willing to play on B.Y.U's basketball team. I accepted the invitation and went to Provo in 1932. Our team won the Rocky Mountain Conference championship. I graduated from B.Y.U. with a B.A. degree.

On January 2, 1934, I left for a mission to the Southern States. This was the beginning of my adult life. LeGrand Richards was my mission president; I was blessed to be his personal secretary for ten months of my two year mission.

The next great event was meeting, courting and marrying Josie Tindal. We lived in Pocatello for seventeen years after we were married. Our six children, Emerson, Carolyn, LeGrand, Nancy, Evelyn, and Ann were all born there. I served as Bishop of our ward for 8 years. In 1956 we moved to California. For several of the years we lived in Palo Alto, I served on the stake high-council.

At this writing we have served as Temple Ordinance Workers for over 20 years. We have twenty-four grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

JOSIE TINDAL MCOMBER,
Emerson's wife, WRITES:

My life was, from the beginning, the life of the Mission Field. I was born in Hampton County, South Carolina. Our family consisted of my parents, an older brother and an older sister. When I was about two years old a little brother was born. Two years later a little sister was born. What a happy family we were.



However, our joy was turned to sorrow when my little sister suddenly died with pneumonia. Just three months later my father died. Our grief was almost more than my dear mother could bear. In the depth of her sorrow she was confronted with the responsibility of providing a living for the family. We were, at that time living in a little settlement about seven miles from Charleston, S.C. My mother obtained employment at the Navy Yard in Charleston. She arose at four o'clock in the morning each day and walked three miles to where she caught a street car which took her to the Navy Yard. After working all day she caught the street car and rode as far as it would take her; then she walked three miles home. Our older sister just seven years old looked after us younger children. We were very happy when Mama got home.

After about nine months my mother had saved enough money to rent a large house in Charleston. She took in boarders and made enough money to provide a living for the family. My older brother could now come home from living in the country with my uncle. We were certainly happy to be all together again.

Our home became the center of Missionary activity. We had Elders staying at our home most all the time; also President Charles A. Callis frequently sat at our table. And later when President LeGrand Richards became the mission president we were blessed with his presence on many occasions. Elder Melvin Ballard stayed at our home on one occasion. Growing up in the Mission Field was a
happy and inspiring experience. I attended many cottage meetings and was the branch chorister for six years.

Our dear mother always wanted us to have the best education available. The Charleston schools were, at that time, regarded as the best in the country. Our teachers were competent, dedicated women. They not only taught academics, but Christian principles as well. When I was about twenty-two years of age I was called and set apart as a regular missionary by President LeGrand Richards. That was a great privilege.

One of my companions was a young lady from Pocatello, Idaho. Her name was Mary Whitaker. After my mission I had a desire to go to Salt Lake City and go through the temple and to visit my friend Mary Whitaker. It was there that I met my future husband, Emerson McOmber. Inasmuch as both of us had served missions in the Southern States Mission we had much in common to talk about. Besides that we had come to love each other. About a year later, on June 21, 1939, we were married in the salt Lake Temple by Elder George F. Richards, father of our mission president, LeGrand Richards. Elder G. Richards at that time was acting Patriarch of the Church. HE gave me my wonderful Patriarchal Blessing.

We began our married life in Pocatello, Idaho. All of our six children were born there.

Their Children Missionary Service:
Emerson Tindal McOmber: Served in the North British Mission
Children: Delwyne Emerson: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mark: Yucatan, Central America
Carolyn: English teacher mother of seven
Children: Brooks Jr.: Munich, Germany
Kayle: French speaking, Austrian Mission
Anika: Austrain mission
LeGrand: served a mission in the Northern Mexican Mission
Children: Dan: Brazil Belo, Horizonte Mission
Matt:Argentina, Resistencia Mission
Evelyn served in El Salvador/Guatemala, Mission

LeGrand writes:
" I personally do not remember much of my paternal grandfather, but I do remember Grama's little scripture parties and her marvelous bread. Great Stuff!"
Emerson and Basketball at BYU
Emerson and Adrian working at the McOmber dairy Idaho State Champs, 1929 Basketball players

Ferryle and Arthur as youth

Third child: Arthur Fisk McOmber
Family taken 1962 Back, left to right: Howard, Susan Arthur, front: June and Arthur

Conductor on the Union Pacific Rail Road in Pocatello, Idaho. Business man and Realtor. He has always been active in Church service. Arthur was born after the family was driven from Old Mexico. He is named after Arthur B. Clark, step father to Calvin D. McOmber Sr. He was the first to be born in Oakley, when the family knew its greatest trials and financial stresses. He did a lot of stake missionary work. Served as stake dance director. Dancing was a great love.
Attended Oakley Grade School
Attended Pocatello High School
Served a Mission to the Southern States
Worked on the Union Pacific where he met Howard N. Martineau,who intruduced him to June Martineau.
Married June Martineau On June 21,1940 (Div.'75) Died December 5,'79
Married Mary Kathyleen Merkley May 24, 1979 Salt Lake Temple At the time of this writing, Arthur Sr. is struggling with Alzheimer's disease. He is living in Vernal with his second wife, Aunt Kathy.

Arthur says that he grew up in a big "little city" of the west, called Oakley. He remembers that the family did things together. "We would get in a circle and have a big meal. My father was a wonderful man and loved a good joke. We would go to the canyons together. We would have picnics. My mother was a wonderful woman. She always would say, 'let's do this', and laugh and play and enjoy each other."

A story that is told about Arthur when he was a young child, clutching a quarter and smiling from ear to ear. He was working with his father on the farm. There were hired hands that would come and work with the family and eat with the family. After saying the blessing at the family meal, one of the men came up to Arthur and asked " Will you show me how to pray?" Of course, Arthur was happy to give him a lesson on how to give a prayer. The man gave him a quarter ($.25). Arthur was so excited and thrilled that he never forgot the appreciation. The brothers teased him a little, and said that Arthur was the first paid minister in the family.

Arthur loved to work and get the recognition from a very highly competitive family. He'd work hard to get the job done and forget about being paid for it.

After a very difficult time with an ulcer, Arthur went to a doctor in Vernal. The doctor told him, he had the largest ulcer he had ever seen. There was a special blessing given for his health. The next visit to see the doctor, it was totally healed. The doctor was surprised and Arthur told the doctor, it was the power of prayer and his good care.

Missionary service:
Arthur II went to Canada
Arthur III went to Germany
Michael is in Thailand 1995
Howard went to Scotland
Howard Jr went to Scotland
Jesse went to Tiawan, wife Melissa went to Dominican Republic
Dannie Melissa went to Ogden Utah, 1995
Susan, mother of three:
Bill went to Washington DC mission, served in Maryland
Annette went to :South Carolina mission
William E. Lemmons, husband of Susan served and died in Viet Nam and received the Purple Heart for his war mission to Viet Nam. He was an example of the Church there and died honorably, serving his country. The U.S. army in 1967 declared him missing and in 1978 declared him deceased.

David Arnsbrack: While living in Ohio, he received his mission call to the Western states, which area included Vernal (though he did not go there.)

June Martineau McOmber:

Received her Doctorate of Education and taught school many years. She taught at the Idaho State College, Pocatello. Her last years she lived in California.
She was great at giving readings and was a talented thespian. She was a very gifted and brilliant teacher. She was well loved by all her students and family and contributed much to the teachers learning the skills of teaching where ever she taught. She taught Gospel Doctrine classes at Sanora for five years before she had a head on traffic accident that took her life December 5, 1979 on the LaGrange Rd., Tuolumne, California. She was born June 9, 1916 at Montpelier, Bear Lake, Idaho, the daughter of )Mary Clark and Howard Martineau. Her mother, Mary C. Martineau was also a school teacher, and taught my (Ruth Pratt) first grade, at Jefferson Elementary, Pocatello Idaho. Aunt June was instrumental in getting the Pre-school program started at Idaho State University.

Mary Kathyleen Merkley McOmber,
" Aunt Kathy", wife of Arthur

Married Arthur May 24, 1979 in the Salt Lake Temple. Kathy was born in Vernal. Her family homesteaded the Vernal area. She grew up with very loving parents. She had a very happy childhood. "We always had what we needed, even during the depression. My great great grandfather Christopher Merkley gave a gold piece to Joseph Smith back in Nauvoo. The prophet told him that because of his generosity, his family would never go without. That came true. "He was one of the first to build the Nauvoo temple. He was a Patriarch in the church. After the Vernal area was settled, he helped build the tabernacle here. His funeral was the very first service after its dedication. It was Easter time. He provided a lot of food for new comers and early settlers.

"I grew up in Vernal. When I was a little girl, I road a horse to school about two miles away. My Grandmother lived about two blocks from school so she would meet me and take me off the horse and put me back on again to go home, because I was too little to do it by myself. When I was in the fifth grade I attended Maeser School in Vernal. Uinta High School was where I went to High School. My favorite thing in High School was the Drama Dept. I loved being in all the plays. Dallon Oaks' mother was my teacher and she was wonderful. She taught many subjects. When I was in High School I won the Drama Contest at a competition at BYU with Dr. Pardoe. It was in readings and one act plays. It was a competition with So. Idaho, Utah and Wyoming.

"After High School I intended to go to college, but I met and later married Arnold Ahrnsbrak. He was a medic in the Army. He joined the church but was never active. I had two sons David and another son, Nelson who died in Wyoming. Arnold was a Nuclear Engineer. Arnold's work took me many many places. That is how I met Velma. We were living in Idaho Falls at the time and I was working in the Relief Society there. I found out that Clarence and I had a common relative, Isabrand Sanders. We bonded ever since. I used to buy soap at the McOmber Soap and Chemical and took it to Vernal. I knew the family in passing.

"I lived in Pennsylvania. We lived in Ohio for nine years. When I lived there I knew a very fine man named William McOmber who was a Methodist Minister. He was quite handsome. He said that one of the brothers had gone off and joined the Mormons.

"When I lived in Illinois I was the Relief Society President. A young couple came in and they introduced themselves as Arthur and Dianna McOmber. Dianna worked as my secretary and I took care of their children at times.

"I have worked in about every position in the church for a woman. Two times as Relief Society President, Primary President, MIA Drama Specialist, Chorister regularly, taught many classes in Relief Society, Spiritual Living teacher, literature, everything except Home making teacher. I knew the McOmber family and met Calvin and Achsah when I would buy soap. After thirty two years of marriage Arnold and I divorced. I met Arthur through Velma. One of my ancestors is a Thurman from Hyde Park and I think we may be related through the Griffiths.

"I have always loved the arts. My son, David is a professional artist. He was commissioned by the Church to paint President Lee which is now at the Church Art Museum west of Temple Square, SLC, Utah. David in working as an Art Teacher at a Vernal High School as well as being a painter. David was married in 1976 to Laura Chavez. I was married to Arthur May 24th, 1979 in the Salt Lake Temple."

Aunt Kathy is a very lovely and a very talented woman who has known and loved the McOmbers even before she met and married Arthur.

David, her only living son, and his wife Laura, have been a great help to Aunt Kathy and Uncle Arthur. Uncle Arthur is struggling with Alzheimers and Aunt Kathy is not well with health problems. She still keeps a cheerful attitude and sweet spirit.

Arthur, Jr., relates
his memories of Grandfather
Calvin D. McOmber, Sr.

"I have a couple of small stories that illustrate some of Grandfather's characteristics. One day I was working with him at the Colonial Motel. First we saw a spirited Palomino horse running down (north) Pole Line Road. It had a length of rope flying behind it with the noose around it's neck. Half an hour later a man ran by. Out of breath he yelled, "Did you see a ---*! horse go by here?" We said yes and pointed the direction he went. The man said for $20.00 I'd sell the **-- thing! Two hours later he came walking back down ( south) leading the Palomino. The horse was fighting him, tossing his head and prancing.

Grandfather got down from off the ladder and walked up to the man. "Do you still want to sell him?' Grandfather asked. The man raised the price to $100.00. Grandfather said, "Sold." and wrote him a check. He gave the man directions to his home on Pole Line and asked him to take the horse there. I was proud of the way the horse relaxed as Grandfather ran his hands over his neck and lifted his legs to look at his hoofs. He even let Grandfather check his teeth. After work, Grandfather would work with the horse. He soon had him very gentle and a good neck rein. The horse was in beautiful condition and rode with a lot of style. I was sad when Grandfather sold him but he did make a good profit and he saved the horse from the cruel man who had no use of a spirited animal.
While we worked on the Motel (owned by Arthur Sr.), we were putting some cement forms in and one of the anchors was nailed into the asphalt. Grandfather started hammering in the large nail. It went through the 2x4 and into the asphalt and stopped. He hit it solidly three more times. I got down close to look because the nail was still above the board about two inches. My eyes popped out when I saw that the big nail had mushroomed and split open under the head. Grandfather's hammer blows were so true that the nail would not bend one way or the other but instead was coming apart under the blows. I guess the nail had hit a rock in the asphalt. These events happened in 1958.

In the Spring of 1956, Howard and I wanted some way to earn money. We decided if Grandfather would let us have a garden spot we would grow vegetables and sell them. He agreed and gave us a large spot next to his garden area only behind the white house when it was moved off the corner lot. We roto-tilled the soil to a fine texture. We had carried many wheel barrows of 'gold dust' from the corral before we roto-tilled. We had a hand held plow with a wheel in the front. We were making furrows when Grandfather came out to see how we were doing. He gently asked what we were doing. We said, "we're making the irrigation ditches." He smiled and told us the soil had lots of moisture and we should plant first and then put the ditches in later. He came out again and we were planting the corn like we would plant flowers, one at a time in the bottom of the furrow. We were hot and the big plot was looking a lot bigger to us. He brought a hoe and showed us how to lift a little dirt and expose the dark moist soil and then throw three or four kernels of corn seed in the hole and then drop the soil on it trapping the moisture inside. He then tapped it down with just the right pressure from his high topped shoe. He did a few and then watched as we tried. I did the hoe and Howard threw in the seed. The rows were not too straight but the corn germinated great. We hated to thin at the starts because we were greedy and loved every plant. A few weeks later Grandfather came back where we were irrigating and said, "you need to pull those suckers".
"What's a sucker" we asked. He grabbed a large stalk growing out of the side and broke it off. We were amazed. We thought those were bonus stalks and would give us corn. Our garden looked very sad after we had taken off all those big suckers. They made good silage. The next year we broke them off as soon as they appeared. Grandfather was a gentle teacher.

When I was fifteen my friends and I decided to get our Patriarchal Blessings. These two friends were twins. They had become acquainted with the church through scouting. They were very devoted, intelligent young men with strong testimonies even through their father was an atheist and a chemistry professor at ISU. Their mother was a very active Jehovah Witness. Their testimonies were challenged continually.

We made an appointment with Grandfather and on the assigned day, we went to the red brick home. He gave the blessings in the living room. I remember sitting on the couch listening to my friends blessings. I became more and more amazed as Grandfather told them the desires of their hearts. He knew their personalities and tendencies. He spoke to them by revelation of things only the three of us had talked of. Gradually the amazement was replaced with a feeling of shame. I had only thought of my Grandfather as a gentle teacher and master carpenter and a gentler of wild horses. I intellectually knew he was a Patriarch for the church but I had not realized that meant he literally received personal revelation for all he blessed. He was a pure clear conduit to the mind and will of the Father in Heaven for each member who came to him. That testimony was born to all three of us as we shed tears of joy at the blessings we received and the fact that we were in the presence of a true prophet of God. I have heard that he gave well over 2000 blessings."

Love, Art

Thankyou Art for that fine account of Grandfather. Grandfather could never see a horse being mistreated. He loved horses and had a gift with animals.

Arthur and Diana have a fine son on a mission, Elder Michael McOmber.

My Memories of Grandfather,
by Howard McOmber

I grew up in Pocatello so I have a lot of memories of Grandfather. When Arthur and I were teenagers, we spent one summer growing about a half acre garden at Grandfather's. Grandfather had a wonderful sense of humor and he used to smile a lot at us. We started by digging ditches for the water to run down. He asked, "What are those?" we answered that that was our irrigation system. "What have you planted?" He asked. We told him that we hadn't planted anything yet. He said, "Well a lot of folks plant a crop and then water the plants."

Grandfather gave me my Patriarchal Blessing as well as my wife Elizabeth's, and many others in the family. I asked him how he knew what to say. He said, "I just put my hands on a person's head and then I just say what the Holy Ghost says."

When I was a very small boy no more than six years old, Grandfather was a missionary to the Bannock Indians. He set up a week when my father was to bring out a program from our ward to put on for the Bannock Creek Branch. I had learned the articles of Faith. So my Father wanted me to recite them for the Indians. I went to the Saturday Matinee about every Saturday and I knew all about Indians. I knew that if we went to the reservation we would all be killed.

Grandfather ran the meeting. The Indians prayed in the Bannock language. I thought as soon as they say the opening prayer they will kill us. But the opening prayer passed and to my surprise we opened our eyes in this life. I thought as soon as we sing the song they will kill us. But the attack didn't come. I thought as soon as I get up to say the Articles of Faith they will shoot me with an arrow. I somehow managed to stumble through them more scared than I have ever been before or since but still no death nor carnage. Finally the program ended and with the closing prayer I scooted out to the car.

Later, Grandfather owned a house in Salt Lake City that we bought on DeSoto. He was again called to be Patriarch in the Salt Lake Stake. He always had a lot of little widows that he took care of. He fixed taps, doors, windows etc. for them and they felt that they had their own guardian angel. He also was an actor in the Salt Lake Temple before they had filmed endowments sessions. He was a very good actor and I got a lot of compliments on his dramatic skills. Grandfather was so faithful and so dedicated that it has left a mark on all of us. It is almost taken for granted that if you are one of his descendants you are going to be active in the church. I am sure that even now Grandfather checks up on us and sees how we are doing. I am positive that he is cheering us on along with Grandmother from the other side of the veil. I believe that soon we will all see him again and I am sure we will have to tell him how we did and how well we lived the gospel."


Howard and Elizabeth's daughter Dannie Melissa is now serving a mission to Ogden, Utah. Their eldest son, Howard Jr., served a mission to Scotland, Jesse served a mission to Taiwan. Jesse married Melissa Merrill who served a mission to Dominican Republic.

Aunt Kathy's son: David with his wife, Laura and their children. They are living presently in Vernal,. Utah where David has his art studio.

When we left Oakley, it was so very hard for me. I really liked the people of Oakley. Everyone was so congenial and everyone liked everybody. My father, Calvin Sr. was a farmer, so we had horses to ride, crops to harvest, and chores to do. I grew up with lots of work to keep me and my six brothers busy before and after school. We moved to Pocatello in 1924. It was a hard adjustment for me to move to Pocatello. It took quite a while to like it there.

During the McOmber dairy days, I remember getting up early in the morning, 5 a.m. to get to the Bannock Hotel. We had quite a delivery route, to stores, restaurants and the Bannock Hotel. Mr. Brady owned the Bannock Hotel and had a great respect for Father. We had to get up early because father wanted the milk to be cooled and fresh to get to Mr. Brady before breakfast. Mother masterminded the care of the milk. We had five gallon cans of milk and that milk was well cared for. It was strained and cooled immediately after milking and put in the refrigerators. The dairy saved us economically. It provided us with educations and missions. We always had a good ratings when our milk was tested.

I remember some friends took me to the Woolworth store and I noticed they were putting things into their pockets. I spoke up and said "What are you doing?" and they explained "Shut up you little fool". I realized they were stealing. When I got home I told my mother and she said "don't even be seen with them. The dairy kept us so busy we didn't have time for mischief."

In 1937 I was old enough to go on a mission and left college to do so. In the spring of 1942, I joined the Navy because the U.S. was at war against Germany and Japan. Before the war ended I had met and married Merial Lambert.

It was during the service for the US government that I met Merial. I was a simple service man for the Navy ....and what a cultured lady she was! We were posted in San Francisco. The church had activities for us there and I met Merial."

Aunt Merial said that the church sponsored the weekly dances for the service men and it was her "Patriotic Duty" to go to help out with these dances. She remembers she had a cold and could hardly talk when she met Uncle Ferryle. They were married in 1943 in the Chapel of Chimes, Oakland, by Bishop Nalder of San Francisco ward. In 1944 they were sealed in the Idaho Falls temple by President Kilpack. Some time after the war ended they moved to Palo Alto California with their four little boys, Bryant, Michael, Robert, and Martin. Meri was born a little later. They are still living three blocks from their first Palo Alto home and like it there very much. They feel very blessed to have such wonderful children.

Uncle Ferryle attended Idaho State Southern Branch (now known as ISU of Pocatello) and also attended college in California and graduated from University of California at Berkley. He taught school and had his sabbatical in 1968 when they toured Europe.

One of the high-lights of another trip to Europe in 1984 was going into Czechoslovakia, still behind the Iron Curtain. Since Calvin, his older brother had died and had given some Patriarchal blessings to some Czech saints, brother Morrell asked Ferryle to please take the blessings to Brother Snedelflier, the acting president of Czechoslovakia. It was such a thrill for brother Snedelflier to see Ferryle, and could see the resemblance of the McOmbers and what a joy filled their hearts for the blessings. Our appreciation to Uncle Ferryle. Church service as teacher, Bishop Councillor, temple worker are a few of the many jobs Ferryle has had in the church.

From a letter written by Ferryle to his father, dated June 9, 1942, US Navy, we read:

Dearest Father.

I believe this is the first time you have ever had a letter from me on Father's Day. It always seems a bit sentimental to say the things which one feels and often thinks in his inner mind or for me to enumerate to you the many wonderful qualities which make you what you are and the man your family is proud to own.

But now I want to say how much I am coming to appreciate your fineness and the things you have done for me. As I look back, I see that you have been very kind always, and very generous toward me. In your keen judgement and appreciation of the finer things of life, you have taught me to know what is good and beautiful.

How much you have sacrificed comfort and the longing for enjoyment in order that I could share something with you! I am not unaware of the ease you might have enjoyed had you shut your eyes to the principles which you endorsed--that of giving your all to your family. I believe that you have given up every personal consideration which was yours to expect whenever it stood between you and the principles for which you stood. I see this now.

Dear Father, although it has not been granted that I am a good worker by your side, and I am aware of my failing to render much assistance to you in many long hours of your toil for us, it is not because I have not wanted to help, nor felt less proud at your slightest word of praise, but because only of my short coming. I fear that other sons have been more valiant than I, have caused you less grief, and sorrow, and stood more faithfully by you. I don't suppose I can change much now --- so was my life, and my way at best, but please know that I did try and shall always try to make you proud of me and the work, if any, which I might do.

And now as it slowly becomes my turn at the helm of my own life's ship, it is a deep wish of my heart that I can steer so well as you, can set my goals so high, and forget myself so completely as you have done in your lifetime. I am afraid I cannot. It seems too great a task, but with God as my helper and your life before me and the memory of your love and sacrifice strong about me, I cannot fail.''

May God be with you always as he has always been. May your life continue long, and be an inspiration to many as it is to me. These are my inner thoughts on this Father's Day.

Sincerely, and with love, Your son, Ferryle
His father replied: March 28, 1959,

Dear Ferryle,
No greater tribute of love and devotion could be written or expressed in words by a son to his father and only exceeded in sincerity and beauty by your own life and may you have as much joy and pride in each of your sons as I have in you.
Sincerely, Your Father

Also a letter that Calvin Delos wrote in response to Ferryle's tribute:
A letter was written by CD McOmber Sr. From: R.F.D. #1 n. Pocatello, Idaho July 12, 1942
My Dear Son Ferryle,

I have delayed writing to you in answer to your most beautiful tribute to your father because I have felt an utter lack of words to express my deep appreciation for such a letter.

Never have I read a more sincere and beautiful tribute given by one person to another and because of it coming from my son to me, makes it beyond comparison.

My son, you have stood just as faithfully by my side as any of the boys and done your part just as well for tho' my work has been more close to the farm, the business needed your kind, cheerful, faithful service and even more you have honored your parents in the life you have lived, ever faithful to your heritage and you as each of the others have been a part in building a place of honor in this community, just as I have ever hoped it would be, the name McOmber has come to mean trustworthiness, and right living.

My sons are doing many of the things I would like to have done, but through our struggles, I hope a foundation for real and true manhood has been laid that as you men go on in life your standards and efforts shall ever be high above reproach.

The Gospel of Christ surely is the power of God unto Salvation, temporally, spiritually here and here after. By adhering to its principles one is better prepared to meet the problems of life.

Tho I own no home of my own yet, I'm proud and happy in the thought of what, as a family we have been able to accomplish in preparing each for the battle of life. So Ferryle, as I reread your letter, it gives me reassurance of the most splendid qualities of manhood you possess and I'm sure as long as you live near to the Lord and have in your soul such lofty sentiments, you will ever do honor to your humble, stumbling father who has fought alone through the greater part of life, but now there are eight of you, seven sons and one daughter, to support each other and to be a sustaining influence one for the other.

I trust that when my work here on earth is done there shall be seven of your sons to carry on the name and eight to carry on in life in an honorable way. When I feel blue, I read your letter also the messages sent by Winston and Adrian. May God bless and protect you against evil and harm and bring you back to us as you went away,
Father
P.S.
The Griffith reunion will be held here next Sunday PM. Wish you could be with us, Father.

A precious letter from father and son, one to be treasured. The Children of Ferryle and Merial are:

Bryant, who has four children; Michael who has four children, Robert who has four children,; Martin who has four children, and Meri Kathryn who has four children. Twenty grandchildren in all.

Bryant served in Germany, West German Frankfurt Mission; Has served in the Bishopric and High Council.
Michael served Tahiti Mission, Sings in the Tabernacle Choir, and is a Speech specialist. Michael's son , Jared, served a mission to South America 1994.
Robert served in the New England Maine and Nova Scotia Mission, and is a Bishop in Farmington Utah.
Martin served in the Dusseldorf German Mission, like his dad, and has served as Bishop.
Meri Kathryn has served as Primary President, MIA Woman's President.

Merial and Ferryle have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and have 20 grandchildren.

Uncle Ferryle has a great sense of humor and always could make one laugh or smile and see the humorous side to any situation. Meri Kathryn relates a cute story of when Grandma McOmber (Axie) turned 40 years old. She was crying and said "I'm getting so old". In response, Uncle Ferryle said, "don't cry mother, you've always looked old to me." At this statement, Grandmother had to laugh . We need a book written from all of Ferryle's funny jokes and wit. We all loved to be with Uncle Ferryle since he could make us all smile, no matter.

MERIAL CLARK LAMBERT MCOMBER,
wife of Ferryle

Although I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 18, 1916, my family moved to San Francisco, in 1927. I loved growing up in the 'city' as there was always something interesting and exciting to do. As a young girl I loved playing tennis in Golden Gate Park with friends on Saturday.

I was the first child born to Avery Clark and George Cannon Lambert, Jr. Both of my parents had previously been married and lost their spouses by death. My mother had one daughter, Ruth Woodruff, and my father had 3 sons: Needham, Scott and Martin, and a daughter, Kathryn. Later my sister, Geraldine,a nd brother George were born. We were all one happy family.

(Meriel remembers that her family had also gone to the Old Mexican Colonies and that her relatives taught the Stout family at the Juarez Academy.)

From Salt Lake the family moved to San Francisco. Her brothers attended law school at St. Ignatius College ( now called University of San Francisco). They attended the San Francisco Ward on Hayes Street. Scott, a brother, was the first non-catholic valedictorian in the history of the University. Another brother, George, attended the University of Notre Dame and U. Of California at San Francisco Medical School and became an Internist.

Our home was always Church oriented. Particularly my Mother was an inspiration to me. She was always a leader in our Ward. She was a primary President and Relief Society Teacher for some 20 years, and an active participant in Sunday School classes."

Merial loves to travel and her family visited many lovely places during her growing up years. While she was in high school her sister Ruth took her to New York City by bus to visit a sister Katie and her husband, Bill. She saw Denver, Colorado, Chicago World's Fair and Buffalo New York. She was able to stay in New York for a semester. Her sister owned a 27 foot boat, called the "Katiedid" which took her many fun places on the 'sound'. She visited Lake Saranac in the Addorondick Mountains in central New York, Washington DC, Baltimore, Md, and Philadelphia. She visited the Opera and was thrilled to hear Lily Ponds sing in 'Lucia De Lammermoor.' She attended Carnegie Hall concerts, several shows on Broadway, and movies at the Radio City Music Hall. She loved her music appreciation classes that enriched her life. After her trip to the East, she returned to San Francisco and graduated from Polytechnic High School in June, 1934. She attended Cogswell Jr. College in San Francisco. She worked in the London and Lancashire Ind. Company for two years to earn money to go to BYU for one year.

"During World War one, I met Ferryle B. McOmber at a dinner party given by our Stake MIA President, Ruth Martin. We dated over a year before becoming engaged. I had a formal and beautiful 'announcement tea at Ruth's home in San Francisco. It was quite an occasion. We were married by Bishop Nalder of San Francisco Ward on Nov. 27, 1943 in Oakland. My father was very ill and in the hospital at the time, in fact, we went directly from the wedding to the hospital so he could see me in my wedding dress. He passed away six weeks after our marriage."

The young couple lived in Albany, by Berekley where Ferryle was stationed at Mare Island in Vallejo, in the Navy and Merial worked for the insurance Co. After a year of marriage, Merial found out she was expecting and the very next day Ferryle was shipped overseas. This was a hard time for the young couple. Velma came and spent time with Merial. To their great joy, the war ended six weeks before the baby came. "We were so thankful to have a fine healthy son!"

After the Navy, Ferryle attended law school and worked part time at a cabinet shop. After the baby was four months old, Merial and Velma were going to Sunday School with a friend, Bill Nibley. They had a serious accident with the 'F' train, which hit the car from behind and demolished it. Velma and Merial were in the hospital for weeks; Velma with a dislocated hip and Merial with eleven fractures. Mother McOmber came for several weeks and helped them get back on their feet. Velma healed and graduated from Albany High School before her mother returned to Pocatello. During this time, Ferryle also had an accident and was on crutches.

Ferryle changed his major and graduated from U.C. Berkeley and taught school at Burbank Jr. High School. From the accident, they received a legal settlement and used it for a down payment on a home. Father McOmber came and helped build an addition as a rental which was a blessing to them while they lived in El Cerrito. The apartment was very attractive and he was an excellent builder. While in El Cerrito, Ferryle had been Stake Sunday School President under O. Leslie Stone. However, for the health of the children, they moved to a warmer climate of Palo Alto, and lived at her sister's home while they went to visit Europe.

With their five children, they have had the opportunity to travel the US and Europe, as a home study social studies Sabbatical leave. The most important thing to them is "Family, church and being true to yourselves and your beliefs. If any one of you get lost or off the track, so to speak, it would grieve everyone of us more than you could ever imagine, until you had again found your way back---but that is such a waist of time to 'find the way back', better to 'keep the faith'. We love each of you and you are really what makes our lives meaningful and rewarding...May our Heavenly Father be your constant companion and the Holy Ghost prompt you to "choose the right' when you are tempted to do otherwise, then you will each have the happiness he has promised to you if you keep his commandments and you boys must be sure to always honor your priesthood as your fathers have done!" Love, Merial

Missionary Service of the children:
Bryant to Germany
Michael to Tahaiti
son, Jared to So. America
Robert to New England, Maine (Nova Scotia)
Martin to Germany

Born: December 27, 1918 Oakley, Idaho
Attended Roosevelt Elementary School, Pocatello, Idaho
Attended Pocatello High School, Pocatello, Idaho
Attended Idaho State College or, (UISB) University of Idaho, Southern Branch
Served a mission to North England States, 1940
Married Louise Tyler, June 5, 1944 in the Salt Lake Temple
Called to war after one month of marriage,
Served in the Army, fought in World War two, survived the Battle of the Bulge.
Returned home and attended the University Of Utah, received his BA
in Social Studies.
Taught School in Salt Lake City for 20 years
Served as Stake Missionary in Salt Lake City
Served a full time mission with Louise in 1984 to Manila, Philippines
Served another full time mission to England 1988, Manchester, England
Serves at the West Jordan Temple as sealer and officiator 1995 My parents, Calvin Delos McOmber and Achsah Stout McOmber had been driven out of Old Mexico during the Poncho Villa Revolution in 1912. With their two sons, Calvin of two years and Emerson six months, they traveled north to Cache Valley, Utah, where father tried to find employment. They learned about an opportunity to homestead some land near Oakley, Idaho where the government had built a new dam for irrigation. Taking Marinda, father's mother with them, they traveled northward over one hundred miles to Oakley in Cassia Co., Idaho. A long hard struggle for survival followed for the next ten years. Five more sons were born including Arthur, born 28 July 1914, Ferryle 30 October 1916; Winston 27 December 1918; Adrian 29 January 1921; David 24 January 1924. Without steady income and ten or so people to feed while living in a very small house they were reduced to living on whey from the nearby cheese factory. Our clothes were made by mother and we went barefoot. We had a dapple grey horse named Barney that my older brothers rode as they herded cows on the open range.

We moved from Oakley due to the water problems. The soil was volcanic ash and the water would disappear before it reached the farms, causing water conflicts among the water recipients. Today they have solved this problem with pipes. Back then many people were upset about not having enough water. To avoid conflicts, the lack of water, Father sold his farm of twenty one acres and moved to Pocatello. We left in an old Model T. truck. I road with grandma Henrietta Stout. My brothers went on top. Our dog 'Shep' jumped off the truck and went running back to Oakley. "STOP THE TRUCK"! we called. We stopped and went back to find Shep and proceeded to Pocatello. Mother road the train with David to Pocatello from Burley, being just ten miles south-east from us.

It was the summer of 1925 that we made that move to Pocatello, Idaho. Father had set up an orange drink stand in town. We lived on Roosevelt Ave. in Alameda. We rented a house at 228 Roosevelt. I started school in the first grade at Roosevelt Elementary school a few blocks to the East. Father sold the drink stand and rented a farm from S.E. Brady and built a four room frame home with a full basement. (This home is still standing at 2711 Pole Line Road, Pocatello Idaho.)

When we left Oakley we brought with us a cow which helped supply our milk needs. Sometimes later we added another cow. When both cows were fresh, mother sold some milk to the neighbors. After moving out to the farm, more cows were added and more customers until we had a small dairy operating. In 1932 Calvin was called on a mission to Czechoslovakia. Father negotiated with Mr. Brady to sell milk to Hotel Bannock. Then father bought out the McNeely Dairy which had several stores including the Safeways as customers.

The dairy provided work and income to support missionary work. Emerson and Arthur served in the Southern States. Ferryle was serving in Germany when World War 11 broke out in 1939. He and the other missionaries were able to evacuate from Europe and return to the United States. I was called to serve in the New England States Mission in 1940. I entered the mission home in 5, September 1940 and arrived in Cambridge Mass. a month later having stopped off to see Niagra Falls and the World Fair in New York City on the way.

I was sent by President Levi Edgar Young to Newport, Rhode Island to work with Oliver K. Mecervy. On the way I was supposed to meet with Blair Bradshaw in Fall River Mass. and wait for my companion. However, I missed getting off at Fall River because I didn't understand the railroad conductor so I rode onto New Bedford then returned back to Fall River on a bus. Fortunately I had the address of Elder Bradshaw and was able to find his room. He had gone on to Brother Clungs place. I stayed in Newport, Rhode Island for over a year and tracted onto Newport after Elder O.K. Maservy left and William West came. We rented a hall from the Chamber of Commerce to hold our branch meetings."

Winston was the district President in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
With a personal interview, Ruth asked a few questions:
"How did you meet your wife?"
Well, after we moved to Pocatello, we went to the same ward. We met at Church. We were in the same sunday school class in the 5th Ward. Our first date was at a Basketball game at U.I.S.B (University of Idaho Southern Branch). It was September 1939.

Louise relates: " Winston went on a mission Sept. 1940 and I began teaching school at Lago, Idaho with a class of 24 children, grades 1 to 4. It was in a two room schoolhouse. I wrote to Winston and he wrote to me, but we were just friends."

Uncle Winston: " I served at New England, Newport Rhode Island on Bliss Road. I could see the ocean and looked out and saw the waves crashing on the rocks. I dated after my mission and later chose Louise Tyler and we were married June 5th, 1944. Only one month of marriage and the U.S. called me to the army. I went to Texas. Hot Hot Texas in July and August. Many men fainted from the heat as we went on our marches. I was about 160 pounds. Since I had worked long hours in the Dairy Plant (12 to 16 hours a day) I was more accustomed to hard work." My life was spared, though I saw many friends die. I was one of about 12 men left after the battle of the Bulge. We marched through Europe, from the Netherlands, to France. It was a bad time of my life."

He relates a story of how he was stationed in a little farm where he saw two cows. One cow was in need to be milked, and the other cow was dry (no milk). He told his friends they could go milk the other cow and he would milk the fresh cow. (Being easterners, they didn't know the difference). Winston milked the cow very successfully and all were very amazed that he got so much milk. They were not very happy that they tried and tried and not one drop came out of their cow. "Well, you just have to know how to do it," teased Winston. The men were happy to get some milk to drink. Their rations were not that great, being only a little can of spam and some meager packages of food.

Did you work even on the Sabbath? "Of course, we had to milk on Sunday. There were no cows that gave exception to the Sabbath. We attended all our church meetings and yet the cows still needed milking."

After the war, Winston returned home and attended the University of Utah, graduating in 1948 with a BA in Social Studies. He was a teacher for twenty years. He started at Camus and taught in Salt Lake District for eighteen years, elementary for 10 years and High School for 10 years. He and Louise resided at 1109 Glendale Drive and later moved to 1149 So. 11th East. After twenty one years there they moved to Steffenson Ave. East Salt Lake City. They have had eight children, raised seven (see group sheet).

Both Aunt Louise and Uncle Winston are Temple Workers. Winston has served on four stake missions and three full time missions:
Stake mission at Glendale, SLC, Utah
three stake missions at Bonneville Stake, serving for about 10 years in this capacity. He served as Sunday School Superintendent. Now is working at the Salt Lake Temple as officiator.
1984 served with Louise at Manila Temple, Philippines
1988 served in the Manchester, England mission with Louise

How did you like England: "I got to like the English by joking how stupid the Americans were, then it broke the ice and they would tell how stupid the British were. We got along with the British. We were called to the Leadership and Proselyting and Reactivating the 'lost sheep'.

Winston has spent his time as teacher, church worker, husband and father, and already a great grandfather. As of 1995, there are 25 grand children and a new great grand child born March 17, 1995, Linda's daughter is now mother.

Louise Tyler McOmber,
Winston's wife:

One lovely Indian summer day, late in the afternoon of October 23, 1918, I entered this world as the first of ten children of Harvey and Lenora Davidson Tyler. It was a time of excitment as World War I drew to a close. It was also the time of a raging influenza epidemic.

In 1920, we moved to Twin Falls, Idaho. Doris, my sister was a baby, just a few months old. Life in Twin Falls holds many fond memories. I recall the huge gardens--picking juicy warm tomatoes, corn, colorful Indian corn, pop-corn, watermelons, cantaloupes, pepper cress, ground cherries, and onions. Then there were the tree houses built with the help of cousins who were so much fun.

I recall my first visit to the Al G. Barmes Circus. Grandfather Davidson supplied me with peanuts and caramels to feed the elephants. This was my only recollection of Grandfather Davidson. He died before I was six.

My brother, Raymon, was born in Twin Falls in November 1922. On January 1, 1923, we moved to Pocatello, Idaho where my father had found employment with the Union Pacific Railroad the previous summer. Pocatello memories are closely interwoven with my mother's sister Mary Housley and her children, Edna, Grant and Esther. Uncle Eskil Davidson and his wife Mary were full of fun and pranks. I can't forget Aunt Mary's ukelele and her rendition of "Lydia Pinkam".

When we first came to Pocatello we attended the second ward, but not long afterward, it was divided and we then attended a small frame meeting house--the Fourth Ward. President Heber J. Grant came to dedicate it. A few years later while we were having Sunday School, the building caught on fire. The Sacrament was being passed; it was finished and we filed quietly from the building. By that time fire engines had arrived. The building was then completely remodeled. A new furnace replaced the two wood heaters. We had many new classrooms, also.

My education was at the Washington Elementary school, then Franklin Junior High, and Pocatello Senior High School. Then I spent three years at the University of Idaho Southern Branch (now Idaho State University). With an Associate Degree in Elementary Education, I began teaching school. I spent two years at Lago and then four years in Pocatello. Later I received a Bachelor's Degree from Westminster College in Salt Lake City in 1967 and taught in Salt Lake City for another seventeen years.

In 1934, we moved from the fourth Ward to the Fifth Ward where I was to meet my future husband, Winston McOmber. We began dating in 1939. September 1940, Winston left for his mission to the New England States and three days later I began my teaching assignment in Lago. We resumed our courting upon his return. By then I was teaching in Pocatello. We were married June 5, 1944. By July, Uncle Sam had claimed prior rights and he was soon overseas in a war. Upon Winston's return from the army in 1946 we moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where he immediately entered the University of Utah. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1948 and a Master of Arts Degree in 1952. Winston was elected into the National Honorary and Scholastic Fraternity, Phi Alpha Theta, an honor he never tells about. In September 1950 we moved to Kamas, Utah where he taught school for a year and a half. The home in which we were living was sold and we returned to a new home in Salt Lake.

Over the years we had eight children. The first were twins, born January 15, 1847, Brent and Bruce. Linda was born in 1949. Winston Tyler arrived shortly after we moved to Kamas. While we were living in our Glendale home, Steven and Karen arrived. In 1955, we moved to a larger home. Here Stanley and our last baby were born--living only four hours.

We have tried to bring the children up close to the church and to live by the principles of the Gospel. Bruce served a mission in Austria after serving in the Army in Germany for three years. Karen served in Argentina and Stanley in the Ohio Columbus Mission. Brent was called to Brazil, but became ill and didn't go. Linda's mission has been her lovely family. Our first great grandchild arrived prematurely in March 1995, Kaili, to Alisa and Matt Arveseth. We have twenty five grandchildren with a twenty sixth due any minute. Another great, grandchild will be arriving next fall to Evelyn, Bruce's daughter.

I am grateful to our Father in Heaven for our wonderful children, for our rich heritage, and for the closeness of our family--our immediate as well as our extended families. We were happy to have their support while we served our missions in the Philippine Temple and in the England Manchester Mission. We have enjoyed many years working at the Jordan River Temple. Winston has been a sealer there.

I am thankful for my sweetheart, for the wonderful companion he is, and the exemplary father he is to our children, and for his wonderful parents who taught him well, and were a great help to us in many times of need.

The gospel means so much to us. It sets the tone of our lives; helps us with our goals and desires that we may achieve an everlasting life in the hereafter, with a great family. And, as President Benson said so many times, "We do not want any empty rocking chairs there."

Linda McOmber Burton, oldest child has six children and is currently working for UPS.
Brent has a Master of Science from the University of Utah and works for the U of U.
Bruce went to Austria on a mission and spent three years in the army France, married with nice family...see family group sheet.
Karen went to Argentina South Mission and has two degrees: Nursing and BA in Spanish from U of U. Has three children.
Stanley served at Ohio, Columbus mission, has a BS from U of U.
Tyler went to Okinawa in the army and has four children.
Steven lives in Logan and is the manager of a cheese factory there and has a fine family.
Linda's son, Chritopher Burton went to Argentina South American mission

Tyler Remembers Grandpa

"I remember Grandpa always wore a hat. He used to come visit us here in Salt Lake They always wanted me to jump backwards for them. They couldn't believe their eyes when I could stand facing a wall and make a large jump backwards. I remember they always asked me to do that."

Family: Back L to R: Douglas, Logan, Gail, Earl, Kent, Mark
Front: Ann, Adrian Grace and Carol

Father, Mother, Calvin and Emerson were forced from their home and farm in Old Mexico during the 1912 Revolution which caused all the Mormon Colonists to flee to Texas. The folks only had a few clothes and two days' food. They were able to work their way up to Logan, Utah.

After hearing of homestead opportunities in Oakley, Idaho, where the Government had built a dam, my parents moved there. Father borrowed money, and built a home there, but not enough water came into the dam. Arthur, Ferryle, Winston, David and I were all born in this home in Oakley. We could to afford electricity; we used a kerosene lamp for light. We ate wheat and drank and cooked with whey from the cheese factory, which was being thrown away. After ten starvation years, we left the farm and moved to Pocatello, Idaho. I was four years old. Father started up a small business that didn't do well. When I was six years old, Ferryle, Winston and I would get peoples' cows and take them out away from town and herd them for ten cents each, per day.

Soon Father agreed to build a house on a farm, if we could live in it for a few years. We bought some cows and our dairy was started. The depression hit and people could not pay their milk bills. Our struggle continued, but with seven brothers we were able to go on to college and missions. The dairy required that we work every day of the year.

When I was ten years old, I was herding cows alone during the day, plus chores before and after. When I was thirteen, I milked seven or eight cows night and morning before and after school. One day that year, I milked my cows plus my brother's for thirteen total cows. Then we switched jobs. I ran a milk route, getting up at 4:00 A. M. during warm weather and after school in the winter.

We had very little social life. However, I did go to some school dances and took my girl friend in a milk truck. She sat on a milk case. One day the track coach came into class and called me out. He said he would take me to the track meet and get me home in time for the milk route. So I went and placed first in the discuss and second in the shot-put. He wanted me to come out for practice, but I said, "no." For two years, I went only to the track meets and earned my athletic letter each year.

Cecil Cook came to live with us when I started college at Idaho State in Pocatello. He helped us in the dairy for a place to live while he also attended college. I became interested in his sister, Grace. We met when she came to see him. My interest increased. In 1941 I went up to a dance in Riverside on the Yellowstone Highway by the Snake River. Grace was surprised that I would come. We corresponded a few times. We had one date to a show before Grace came to my Farewell for my mission in March of 1942. We corresponded some while I was on my North Central States Mission. I served in St. Paul, Minnesota and in Winnipeg, Canada. I returned home March 21, 1944.

Grace and I were married April 26, 1944. We lived in the old milk house (converted into a apartment) at the dairy until December of 1945. Our first child, Douglas was born 12:30 A.M. September 24, 1945. Grace was determined to go to the Idaho Falls Temple dedication September 23rd!
Douglas may have been born in the Temple!"

Grace and Adrian went to Logan, Utah for his college education, Majoring in Agriculture, minoring in Chemistry. He worked for the government and later became a school teacher. They moved to Hayward California and taught Math and Science. Adrian has served as Seminary teacher, High Councilman 6 years, High Priests Group leader 6 years. Cancer was found on his vocal chords. After going through cancer treatments, diabetes set in. He is quite healthy today, and keeps up a busy schedule. He retired from teaching in 1984 and is working with apartments and real estate.

Adrain writes about his father : Calvin Delos McOmber, Sr. May 13, 1995

Ruth Pratt has asked me to write some of my memories of Father. I shall write some of the most vivid recollection I recall.

"Father always made me proud, especially when he gave talks as a High Councilman in ward and stake meetings. Although he never graduated from college, he was called upon to speak at professional meetings at a hotel, court room, or political organizations. He expressed himself well.

When I was about nine years old, Father was building our new home on our farm on Pole Line road in Pocatello. I was herding cows on the other side of the farm. I could hear him sawing boards and occasionally giving a big loud sneeze. Finally we moved into our new home. Our dairy business grew rapidly. The old Model "T" Ford sedan was retired so we bought a panel delivery truck for delivering milk to retail homes and wholesale stores. Father managed the business. We worked part time in the winter and full time in the summer.

Father provided a life time of dedication and faithful service to his family and church despite hardship and long periods of near poverty. Even when he lost his home and all he had in Old Mexico, except Mother and their two sons, Calvin and Emerson, he stayed faithful to the church.

Being faithful to the end was his faith promoting example for us all. I never heard him swear, nor heard him use bad language."

LuLu Grace Cook McOmber,
Adrian's wife

My childhood and youth was spent on our farm in Archer, Idaho, eleven miles south of my birthplace, Rexburg. I am third eldest in a family of eleven children, equally divided, five sisters and five brothers. I attended the elementary grades at Archer and gave the Valedictory address upon graduation. I also won spelling matches, sports events, and took tap dancing from my teacher, Alpha Walsh. When I was about ten or eleven, I began taking piano lessons for three summers, not taking during the winter months due to the cold.

At thirteen, I attended the Jr. Genealogy class and began my Book of Remembrance. Grandmother Munns gave me encouragement and inspiration as she was doing genealogical and temple work. When I was fifteen, I was sustained as Play Leader in Primary and also served as chorister, and later as organist for the Primary. In Jan. 1939, I won a Bible for the best Church History notebook in sunday school."

Grace was a very active teen. She was a student at Archer high School and also Madison High of Rexburg. She majored in business and was a member of the National Thespian Club, being in many plays. She entered The Declamation contest and was rated Superior in the District meet at Burley, idaho. She took music lessons and dancing lessons. She was the Gold and Green Ball Queen of the Archer Ward, Rexburg.

She met Adrian while a Senior in High School. She was in a play entitled "War" which was performed in Pocatello. Her brother Cecil was working for the McOmber Dairy and brought Adrian along. She met Adrian again on Senior Day when he invited Grace to visit. Grace attended Ricks College where she attended business classes. She taught shorthand and typing at the Idaho Falls Business College. She moved to Pocatello and worked for Garrett Freight lines and served as a Stake Missionary. She was the queen of the Pocatello 1st ward Gold and Green Ball. She transcribed patriarchal blessings and typed Patriarchal blessings for Patriarch Calvin D. McOmber.

After Adrian returned from his mission they were married in the Logan Temple, April 26, 1944. They first lived in the Pocatello 5th ward. She has been active in the Church all her life, serving as Relief Society Board member in Logan, chorister and pianist positions, Genealogist, scout leader, visiting teacher,primary teacher and organist, sunday school teacher and regular temple worker. She has had eight wonderful children. In spite of a hip problem due to a fall from an apple tree in her youth, Aunt Grace has been a wonderful example to all of us for her genealogy work, her keen mind and her dedication to the principles of the gospel. We are all very grateful for the resource she has given to us on our family history and group sheets. A great contribution to us all!

Children Missionary Service:

Douglas to Hong Kong China, Doctorate in Far Eastern Studies, workes at Washington DC, defense Dept.
Logan (Clair) to Eastern Canadian mission, Doctorate of Medicine
Gail to Italy, (pharmacist, living in Salt Lake City)
He served in Milan, Italy
Earl David to Chile, So. America.
Mark to Paris France and graduated in the Medical field, works at the Utah Valley Hospital, Provo,resides in Orem Utah.

Douglas served a mission to Hong Kong, China, Later married Cliffie Kwok- Mun Chan Aug. 18, 1973, has two children, Elaine and Joseph.
Doctorate of Far Eastern Studies.
From : Douglas McOmber:
When grandfather and grandmother lived in Salt Lake City, I visited them several times in 1962-1963. I was a freshman at BYU. Grandfather's chats with me and his stories of living in Mexico helped me to get to know him. Because of those visits, the good feeling of knowing that my grandfather was a man of quiet strength and wisdom stays with me even now as a precious memory.

Family in 1960: Left to R. Marilyn, Becky, mother Rachel
Mark, father David, Paul, Val, and Julie in the front

The family established a dairy soon after we moved onto that farm on which I had many rich experiences, most of which was learning the value of family and industry. The church was the central focus of our lives.

Shortly after settling on the farm, my oldest brother went on his mission. Each brother followed in his turn. When it was my turn to go, the great and dreadful World War II was raging and all young able bodied men that was not deferred was called to active service. At that time I was deferred due to my involvement in a vital industry, that of producing milk. At that time I was managing the dairy farm. I felt that I should enlist along with two of my older brothers, Winston and Adrian. Adrian did not pass his physical due to a hernia. Winston and I both were sent to Infantry Replacement Training Centers. (IRTC) Winston went to Fort Hood, Texas. I went to Camp Fannin, Texas. We were about 150 miles apart, but never got to see each other until after the war was over.

I spent 18 weeks of intensive military training. We were now ready to be shipped to the battle front, either to Europe or the South Pacific. United States was at war with both Germany and Japan at the same time. Providentially, I was asked if I would consider remaining at Camp Fannin as a non commissioned officer training new recruits. It didn't take me long to accept the offer. It is very seldom a Private is asked if he would like to do something. He is nearly always commanded. I had evidently done quite well in my basic training. There was only eight, out of more than one thousand men,who were given this choice. It was because army life was so much easier than the dairy farm. It was actually quite enjoyable. For 18 months I taught men how to protect themselves and how to use all the weapons given to the infantrymen to take lives or destroy property. During the later part of this assignment, the U.S. Airforce dropped the infamous atomic bomb on Japan. They quickly surrendered. Camp Fannin was closed down and I was sent to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma for six months and then was discharged in July 1946.

Civilian life was wonderful. I went home and languished in my freedom. I wasn't sure what I should do next. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life in dairy farming. I decided to attend USAC-Utah State Agriculture College. My brother, Adrian and his wife, Grace were living in the older home of Mother's sister, Aunt Daisie. Daisie had added a new addition to the front of the old home and she was living there. I rented a bedroom in the new addition and enrolled at Utah State University in Industrial Arts. My Freshman year at that college was the most enjoyable, care-free year of my life. The government had passed a bill that gave us veterans full scholarships for the amount of time we were in the service. I received full tuition, books, supplies, plus $120.00 a month living expenses. By going summers, I was able to complete a four year course in just three. My Freshman year was the most enjoyable year of my life. I was a free man, having just been discharged from military and enrolled at USAC in Logan. About the second month of school in October, I met and started dating the most beautiful and righteous girl I had ever met, Rachel Baird. She also was the most popular girl of the school. I am still amazed that I was successful in marrying her. (David relates that he was so nervous when he first introduced Rachel, that he said, "this is Fay Laird from Layton", (meaning Rae Baird, from Payson) Opps.! We were married the following spring on April 10, 1947, in the Logan temple. I was a freshman, Rachel was a senior. She graduated and taught school for two years while I completed school, which was April, 1949.

Our first child was born, Val David on Valentine's day. Following graduation, I got a job teaching school in Elsinor, at the Jr. High School. We moved to Richfield, a much larger city than Elsinor which was about ten miles north. The school had a total enrollment of 75 students. Only two teachers and the principal did all the teaching. I found myself teaching not only Industrial Arts which was my major, but was the coach, the phys. Ed. teacher, the math and science teacher. Since I was on the track team at Pocatello High School and College, and played on the M-Men Basketball Team, Phs. Ed.was quite enjoyable.

I taught one year at Elsinore and applied for a job at Olympus Jr. High School in Holladay, south of Salt Lake City. I taught there for ten years and while there, Marilyn, Julee, Mark, Becky and Paul were born. We bought a home in Murray and lived there for three years. While there, I served as MIA President. We lived in Holladay for the next seven years. I did a lot of moonlighting as a carpenter, evenings after school teaching and during the summers. During the ten years while I was at Olympus I built ten homes, (four of which we moved into). The last of these I built in Heber Valley, about three miles north of Heber City. This was a very beautiful setting. In 1960 I taught shop at Heber High School. We moved into an unfinished home. It was a very cold winter and we were away from family and friends. We felt the Heber schools were not the best for the children. We finished the home, sold it and moved into Provo.

I built a beautiful home in a choice location near BYU, 1089 Cherry Lane. In the walk-out lower level of the home I built an apartment and made the other half into a pre-school. We lived in this home for twenty years. Rachel's School became the most successful advanced Pre-School in the county if not the state.

I continued teaching at Lincoln Jr. High for two years. My salary for teaching was lass than $5,000.00 a year. It discouraged us, so I gave up teaching. I had a contractors license and went into building full time. I built two homes in Moab, and one in Greenriver, Utah. I built about sixteen homes in Utah County. I have been in the building business for thirty five to forty years. The homes I built were very beautiful, some sold for $ 250,000.00 to $300.000.00

In the early 1980's interest rates went up to 21%. This put me out of business. We sold homes we had acquired and other values but became financially broke. I tried other avenues to get ahead, but these failed. The following ten years were difficult years. We lost our beloved Cherry Lane Home, and school. We knew if we worked and prayed hard, we would be able to overcome financial depression and achieve again. We did work and pray hard and have been blessed.

I was a Bishop on campus for seven years, which I enjoyed very much. Our children married in the temple and we are now blessed with 25 grandchildren. These are great rewards in our lives. I am now serving at the Mission Training Center. This is my third year and is such a wonderful way to give service. I love the dedicated missionaries, and the work and association there.

I finished a very nice condominium in Orem. We are enjoying this and are meeting new friends and neighbors.

Rachel is working in literacy in Provo and soon in Orem. She has worked hard to get family literacy programs into this county.

We are looking to the time we can go on a mission together. David's Wife:
Rachel Baird McOmber

I, like Nephi, was blessed to have excellent parents. Hazel Rebecca Twede and Abner Harley Baird, were both decedents of prominent, faithful pioneers. At the time of my birth they were living in Provo on the hill across from where the Marriot center is today. My grandparents Gideon and Rebecca Twede had a home, and large ranch in west Payson. My Grandmother was a mid-wife, so at the time of my birth, September 29, 1925, my parents went to Payson and I was born there in my Grandparents home. I have spent much time in that home in my childhood, and teen years.

When I was three years old my parents moved to Payson. My grandfather needed help with the land. I loved the trees, bushes, flowers and animals that were in that environment. My life with my parents, my sister, Ruth, my three brothers, Robert, Fred, and Alan, were pleasant. Mother read to us every evening and we had many good books in our home and in our grandparents home. Father took us often to the mountains, canyon lands and on state excursions. My grandfather died when I was only five and I spent much time with my Grandmother Twede. She had a large modern home for that time and area. I loved her fun, nurturing ways and I was blessed to have two marvelous mothers. We, also, had many good neighbors and friends.

I graduated from Payson High School and received a scholarship to Utah State University. I felt that this was where I would meet my husband. This was true, when I was a senior at USU, I met a tall, very handsome man. He had dark, curly hair and was named David Ivins McOmber. I was attending Mutual at the Fifth Ward in Logan. David was the teacher of the M-Men and Gleaner class. I was a Gleaner Girl (now known as Laurels).

I liked this M-Men teacher right off. Later, on April 10, 1947, we were married in the Logan Temple by President El Ray Christiansen. (I had lived in the apartment across from the temple, in the Temple President's home.). I graduated from USU and taught in the Logan and Cache Districts for two years. Then, in 1949 Val David McOmber was born. This completely changed our lives forever. We were so excited to have such a fine son, I wanted nothing more than to care for him. It was fulfilling to be a Mother. We loved Logan but moved so Dave could support us as he taught Industrial Arts in other locations.

We were blessed with Marilyn, Julee, Mark, Becky, and Paul. These children are the greatest accomplishment of our lives. They are excellent parents and contribute much in their professional and private lives. These children were born in Salt Lake while Dave was teaching at Olympus Jr. High School. Dave was an excellent teacher and very well liked by his students. One of his students later was our bishop in Pleasant View Ward in Provo. We moved to Provo where our children graduated from Provo schools and later BYU and other universities. These fine children have blessed us with 25 beautiful grandchildren.

We opened a private school in Provo called the Peter Pan Pre-School and I was Miss Windy. I loved teaching and taught for twenty years. I have authored and produced a beginning reading program with 72 little storybooks and 900 pages in two writing books. These books are in most states and in five countries. I have received thank you letters from many areas. Now I am writing a program for the new adult reader and this program is being put on an interactive computer program on CD-ROM. We are having many successes with the beginning reading students at The Project Read/Family Literacy Center at the Provo Library where I am currently working as director and educational consultant.

In the 1970's and 1980's, for twelve years, I taught at the BYU Summer Youth Programs, The Academy for Girls. Marilyn, Julee, and Becky attended and became counselors and advisors to the girls. I wrote new programs and was voted the favorite teacher. This was an enjoyable project, but kept us very busy. I enjoyed it mostly because my girls were with me. (And sometimes the boys, however, they were busy helping Dave build homes).

One of the highlights of my life has been working with the Sister Missionaries at the MTC. I have worked with them for twelve years. I wrote lesson books in spirituality and personal preparedness. I especially loved the women I worked with. They were mission president wives and other outstanding women from Utah. They are and will always be my dearest friends.

I have had the joy of being a temple worker at the Provo Temple for four years. This is an honor and I received spiritual satisfaction from this.

I have been working at the Provo City Library for three years now in literacy. I started working with the new adult reader, noticed the children were not being taught. I have been instrumental in bringing a Family Literacy Program into Provo, the first in Utah. I am now working to get outreach centers in Utah. One should be going into Orem in May, 1995. Later there hopes to be one in Springville and American Fork. This has been accomplished with grants and many visits to the city fathers. We now have 85 people in family literacy and many more needing help. These are supported by volunteer tutors.

Dave and I are looking for the time when we can go on a full time mission together. When he finishes his excellent work as a Branch President at the MTC and I get the Family Literacy programs in place, we hope to do this.

We are very happy to be in our own home after a struggle of losing a home and finally acquiring funds to have Dave help with the finishing of this very nice home in Orem."

May 3, 1995, Rachel received a great honor from the Chamber of Commerce of Utah Valley for her outstanding Community Service:

To Rachel Baird McOmber
46 N 420 E
Orem, Utah 84057

Dear Rachel,

On behalf of the Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, we would like to officially inform you of your selection as OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNER FOR 1995. Congratulations on being chosen as one of Provo's elite! We commend you on your efforts to improve the quality of life in this city.

The award will be presented to you at our annual Reed Smoot Outstanding Citizen Awards Gala Banquet held on Thursday, May 18, in the Memorial Lounge at the Wilkinson Center on Brigham Young University's campus. A reception will begin at 6:00 p.m. And dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.

We hope the evening will be an enjoyable one for you; as you are surrounded by people who appreciate your efforts to make Provo one of America's "Most Liveable Cities".

Others who were honored were: Joe Cannon of Genieve Steel and Steven Covey of Seven Habits. Sincerely, Steven T. Densley, President

Aunt Rachel has always been one who has loved children and who has dedicated much to teaching beginning reading. She has been the hostess with the mostess to her nieces and nephews as we were attending BYU. She has enriched our lives and the lives of many in the community and the world with her phonic readers for teaching reading. What a blessing she is to our family.

Model T Ford story

Uncle David was telling us a humorous story about the time when he was sixteen years old: "I was riding our old Model "T" car down in Pocatello when a policeman pulled me over and parked in front of me. Suddenly, my car smacked in the rear bumber of the policman's car. He looked at me and asked: 'try your lights.'....no lights. ' OK, try you horn,'......no horn, 'then let me see your license,' ....no license.. 'Well, I can see you have no brakes! Who are you, anyway? You better go on home.'

Later, David saw the policeman come to the house and noticed that his father and the policeman talking, then laughing, and he left.
'Better fix your car!' He added.

I think my father worked with the policeman and were friends.

Uncle David relates a story of how important it is to listen to the "still small voice":
Listen to the still small voice

When David was a young man, working on his father's farm he often had his daily chores of feeding, milking, etc. One day as he was was coming out of the barn he noticed a docile Bull coming too. For the fun of it, he yelled "Boo!" to the bull. The bull did not jump, so David turned around to walk away. Just then, an impression came to him : "look around". As he turned around, he noticed anger in the bull's eyes and the back of his legs began to flex. The bull was mad

and started shaking and pawing. David knew he better run and run fast because he was cornered. With his heavy gum boots on, he ran across the corral. He barely made it to the fence, when the bull bunted him right over it. He called for help and his father came running after that bull with his pitch fork and chased it away. Always listen to the still small voice because it could save your life, advises Uncle David.

Another time David was working with his father, doing some bailing of hay. They were using a Jackson Fork which was a three foot long sharp pronged Fork (tines ) that helped lift the bails. It would release the hay. The tines were ten feet above David as he worked. He felt a voice say: JUMP! So he jumped! Before his feet could hit the ground, he heard a loud crack. Just then the derek pole snapped that held the sharp tines. The whole thing dropped right where David was working. The long tines of the large Jackson fork went right through the hay wagon. His father looked up and with great worry, asked: David are you alright? Yes was his grateful answer. REMEMBERING MY FATHER, CALVIN DELOS MCOMBER, BY HIS YOUNGEST OF SEVEN SONS, DAVID I. MCOMBER

Father was born in Hyde Park, Utah. He received his formal education there to the eighth grade. He worked at the Cache Valley Cheese factory following his schooling. At an early age, his parents divorced. His mother married Arthur Benjamin Clark and he was adopted into the Clark family. He kept his name however.

All though his formal education was limited, he was very intelligent, being able to carry on an intelligent conversation with any one. He was a man of dignity and character and a man of the highest principles. He had a great sense of humor. For example: We had just finished eating supper, and Ferryle, his fourth son, who also had a great sense of humor, said " to bed now, to bed now, to sleep like a log" Then father finished the rhyme "now that you've eaten just like a hog."

Father was honored and loved by all who knew him. He was a gentle man. He truly was a gentleman. In his day they wore hats and he wore a hat most all the time out of doors, but never in the home. He always tipped his hat when meeting a lady. A very cultured man. He was a spiritual giant. As long as I can remember, he was on the stake High Council or the stake Patriarch. He gave me my patriarchal blessing which has been a great source of strength and which has been fulfilled of every wonderful promise. I love, honor and revere him."

Missionary Service of the family:

David Sr. Served as Church teacher in the Army, taught the missionary lessons there. His Children:
Val David: California North Mission
Val's son: David, to Texas
Mark: Germany
Paul: Chili
Marilyn's son: Derek, to Netherlands of 1995

Marilyn, the daughter of David and Rachel, writes:

"I met at Joel's home in the Spring of 1972 while Joel was home on leave in the Marine Corps. I was visiting with his brothers and sisters at a BYU family home evening group. We married August 25, 1972 and moved to Yuma, Arizona where he was stationed with the USMC. In December of 1972 we were transferred to Hawaii where our first two children were born.

In 1976 we left the Marine Corps and moved to Utah and then to Oregon where Joel started his own business designing special residential homes. Our last four children were born here. In 1988 we left Oregon to reside in Utah.

Our oldest son is currently serving in the Netherlands Mission.
Velma and David on a log

"In one of the most impressive ceremonies of the season, Miss Velma McOmber, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Calvin D. McOmber of Pocatello, became the bride of Clarence G. Teerlink, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Teerlink 273 North State St. Salt Lake City. The ceremony was solemnized by Elder John E. Widtsoe of the Council of the Twelve in the Salt Lake Temple Friday morning.

Guests attending the wedding included the parents of the bride, the parents of the groom, Mr. and Mrs. David McOmber and Mrs. Adrian McOmber of Logan, Mr. and Mrs Arthur McOmber of Pocatello, Mr. and Mrs Calvin D. McOmber Jr., Mr. and Mrs. William South, Mr. and Mrs. Winston McOmber, Mrs. David Stout and Mrs. Dewey Stout, all of Salt Lake City.

Following the ceremony a wedding breakfast was served at the Teerlink home at 273 North State St. for all the wedding party and also Mr. and Mrs. Heber Teerlink, Mr. and Mrs. Browning Rowe and Alvin Teerlink, all of Modesto, Calif.

A reception was held at the Lion House Friday evening, at which over 500 guests were received. The bride was charming in her gown of sheer silk marquisette and lace fashioned with princess lines, etc."

Velma grew up in Pocatello, Idaho and spent many hours helping her mother inside the house, not so much out with her father. She remembers how wonderful it was to have a Patriarchal blessing from her father. It has been a great sorce of comfort and guidance in her life. As she grew up, she would visit her older brothers and help out with their little ones as they came along. When Merial had Bryant, she went to Albany California to help her and attended high school there. It was at one of the church dances that she was introduced to Clarence Teerlink, Lawton Sunset Ward, Berkley Stake. June 30th was when they met. It was July 2, 1944 and Clarence was off duty from his Navy ship. She remembers he said, "How are you today?" When he asked her for a date, she replied that he would have to ask her brother Ferryle first. She had promised that she would not date anyone unless Ferrlye gave his consent. Ferryle said is was alright and Clarence took her to the July 4, Independence Ball. Afterwards he went out to sea. When he returned he invited her to: Desert Song. Velma was so amazed how he was able to get tickets at such a late date. Clarence did get tickets even if they did get them in the orchestra pit.

Velma was in a very serious train accident when going to church one Sunday with her sister-in-law, Merial. She was very blessed to have chosen to sit in the front seat of the car. "We'll just be cozy, and all sit in the front", she said. After the train had hit the car, the back seat was totally demolished.

Mother Achsah came to help the two recover and give aid and health to the family. Aunt Velma did graduate from Albany High. When Velma and her mother were coming back to Idaho, they had to take the Grey Hound bus. No one had cars back then. Clarence accompanied them and noticed a very long line of people waiting. Well, Clarence doesn't like long lines, so he went up to the main desk and the next thing Velma knew, they were at the head of the line. Her mother, Achsah, said, " Marry that man, he'll make a good provider." Clarence had explained to the driver that she had just gotten off of crutches due to an accident. With that explanation, they were well seated and off to Idaho. The war had ended and how glad everyone was. However, one sorrow did come into Clarence's life when the announcement of the war's end in 1945, the USS Indianoplis was sunk, which carried his brother. He knew both joy of meeting a beautiful girl friend and being out of the service, and sorrow of losing a dear brother.

Clarance was 25 years old and Velma had just graduated from Albany High School, a sweet age of seventeen years old, which slowed down Clarance a little bit, ( only slightly). After High School, Velma was accepted to the BYU and couldn't find housing. Clarance advised her that Salt Lake City had plenty of housing and that she should attend the University of Utah. Well, one thing led to another, and the rest is history. They were engaged at Christmas time. "He gave me a diamond for Christmas and we were married June 27, 1947. He graduated from U Of U. in 1949."

From a letter to her sister in law, Frances, Velma writes:

12-14-81

Dearest Frances,

I think of you nearly every day and wonder how you are getting along. Clarence said when he was up there a few months ago that all seemed to be going very well. I suppose you'll all be getting together for the holidays. Tell all of the children hello for me and hope you all have a most joyous holiday season.

I miss Calvin very much still, and I'm sure you do much more than any of us. Clare and Norma are expecting their fourth child close to Christmas. They are happy about that. Suzie still continues to work very hard providing for her children, teaching and training each day. David and Gail are kept busy with their four little ones. It's a great life's work to raise a family to live the commandments. Clarence travels quite a bit. He goes to Salt Lake City and up the California coast, then over to Hawaii every two months or so. Richie takes good care of me while he is gone so I feel good.

Frances, I love you very much. You have always been so very dear and gentle and patient with me. I do not measure up to your beautiful soul, but you are such a very special sister to me. I want you to know that I appreciate all of your loving and kind ways to us all as a family. You were always Calvin's queen! He always spoke of you in such a loving reverent manner. You were both the most beautiful couple together. Take care of yourself,
Velma.

Velma has been a most beautiful and stately person. We all have admired her beauty, not only in appearance but in her heart and soul. She was the apple of her daddy's eye and the joy of her mother's heart. She was their little princess. She is the "Miss America" to us. To date, Aunt Velma has retired from her job and she and her husband Clarence are enjoying retirement years. Clarence worked as the district and regional manager of Kirsch Co. Clarence was born June 28, 1919 Salt Lake City. Navy Man '46

Aunt Velma and Uncle Clarence with Suzette, Left is Clarence Jr. and David

Velma as a little girl with her father, Calvin McOmber Sr.

David McOmber Teerlink writes: 1995

"I remember going to visit Grandfather and Grandmother as a child at their home in Salt Lake City. When I was old enough to have memories, this is where I remember them most, on Duplex Place. I remember receiving my Patriarchal Blessing under his hand when I was only thirteen, and how lucky I felt to have my own grandfather perform that holy write.

My mother told us many stories about growing up in Idaho with Father and Mother as she calls them. As Grandpa's health deteriorated in the late sixties, due mostly to diabetes, they found it necessary for them to move to where consistent attention could be given to his dietary needs. My dad made arrangements to convert our garage into a one room apartment where they could live close by. So it was to our family they came to stay. I think my mother prepared us pretty well, because I remember looking forward to it but with some reservations. I suppose it may have been inconvenient to teenagers at times, but what stays with me to this day is Grandpa's cheerful attitude, his concern for other's well-being and absolute devotion to Grandma. I found out later how he had worried about being a burden to our family when they lived with us, but my respect and love for Grandpa only deepened. He must have been suffering terribly from problems typical of old age but, I cannot recall ever hearing him complain.

Grandpa had a unique way of saying my name that he used in an endearing way. I can still hear him say it as plainly now as he did before. I have many memories of their living with us. But as I look back on it now, with the clarity of years past, I realize how blessed we were to have him in our home, to enjoy the light of his example even if only for only a short time."

As I, Ruth remember you David Teerlink, you were just a little baby (Did I say little? You were the biggest baby I ever held.) Grandma used to call you 'little Bar-bet-bells', in an endearing fashion. Grandmother put wheels on the bottom of her cribs and we would rock you back and forth to help out your colic and croup. Many times I would sit on the floor by the crying babies, pushing the bed back and forth with my legs. It seemed to put the fussy children to sleep.

I felt sad and very lonely when our cousins moved to California.

Suzette and I have many memories of combing Grandmother's hair, putting her to sleep, and then enjoying some of her lovely honey taffy. Grandmother used to wear her hair in long braids and wrap them over each other on top of her head. I think her hair came down to her waist at one time. She cut it later on as she got older. She loved to have someone brush her hair. That "someone" was usually Ruth who lived close and handy.

Grandma's Honey taffy: 1 cup honey
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter
Boil to a soft ball stage, meaning a drop of boiled honey must lump together in a cup of cold water. Cool until manageable to handle and pull into golden taffy, place on powdered sugar plate and serve for a lovely treat. We called this our pioneer candy.

Missionary work of the Teerlinks
Clarence Sr. Mission :to Spanish-American 1941-43
Clarence George Teerlink, Jr. Mission to Belfast, Ireland, 1969-71.
Son : Christian to Brazil, as of 1995
Son : Ray to Perth, Australia 1995
David McOmber Teerlink, mission to Texas-North, Spanish-speaking '72 74
Richard McOmber Teerlink mission to Santiago, Chile '83-84
Suzette's son Brian Jr., went to Seattle Washington mission, returned 1994
Grandmother Achsah stood in Ruth's wedding line, August 14, 1970
Back to Front, Left to Right: Linda McOmber, Becky McOmber, Marilyn McOmber, Karen McOmber Julie McOmber, Bride Ruth McOmber Pratt, Carol Evans McOmber, Susan McOmber Lemmons, Helga Pratt, Mary Jane South Hart, Ann Richards McOmber
Front: Kathryn Pratt, Grandmother McOmber(Ashsah), Frances B.McOmber &Cindy McOmber. Grandmother insisted on standing up the whole time. Calvin Brodil McOmber, son of Calvin and Frances remembers Grandfather as kind and patient.
"I always liked him. I remember watching him build the Putman house that was near ISU. Grandfather was a carpenter and I used to go with him and watch him work. He was always busy in church work, but I remember him mostly as a stake patricarch. As a gardener, he used to take pride in his big beautiful Gladiolas and Roses. He always had a vegitable and flower garden. He was active in the Republican Party and even ran for an office of judge. I remember a Palamino horse named "Duke". We used to go to the Indian Reservation area and round up cattle, "the low lands", near American Falls area.

Grandma always had a Bible story, some taffy pulling and games with marbles. She would play the piano to "My Bonnie lies over the Ocean". We always would sing with her. She always had a wash cloth to wipe my face when I came. When I got a drink of "salts and soda", it was always my liver. When I went to the store, if she didn't like the price, or the product, I had to take it back. So there were lots of trips back and forth, back and forth." Calvin & George with Grandpa Calvin D. McOmber, Sr.
Grandfather's trade card:
Velma and Emerson planting a garden Pocatello, Ida.
Calvin Jr at Logan Stout home 30's
Grandfather going to church, Pocatello Idaho
Old Star, horse....note the arrow indicating the dog house built by Adrian and Enos. Aunt Sadie, Emaline, &Velma with doll from christmas