MY DAD

My Dad…How can I possibly describe him…Handsome, Generous, Loving, Spiritual, Strong, Sensible, Supportive, Gentle, Considerate, Mender, Protective, Respected by all and so much more.
I have so many great memories of my dad.
Dad never told me what to do, but he had this way of making you want to do what he felt was right without actually telling you to do it. I think part of it was that great respect he gained from everyone who knew him.….having been a Bishop in Murray for many years, it seemed he knew everyone. I remember when I was in High School, every time some one would call and ask me out, I would of course ask him if I could go…he in turn would call their Bishop. Then he would come to me and say: "Sis" If you knew what just found out about this young man you would not want to go with him." My verbal response would be…"Okay" but my mind was thinking: "I wouldn't???????" I think I probably
He loved nature. Among the treasures of his that I have in my possession is a tape of birds singing. We had gone to Big River on our way to the Grand Canyon and then had stopped in Bryce National Park on the way home. All along the way he carried his little hand held tape recorder and every time he would hear a bird chirping or singing out came the recorder. I loved watching Jared wonder around the field when he had his horse…checking the fence and the gate and just puttering around the pasture…It was just like watching Dad.
Dad could fix anything. Nothing ever lost it’s value until it absolutely could not be repaired.
If you were to ask Craig what memory he had of Dad…he would probably recite the story of being at Moon Lake and the annual Steak Fry. Craig bumped into dad’s arm somehow and caused him to drop his steak on the ground. Dad just looked at Craig and said: “Ah Hell” and went into the camper…He did not come out the rest of the night.
Although a very serious man…he could be kind of silly.
He cut his own hair for as long as I can remember. It was gray…closer to white…also as long as I could remember. He wore the top quite long and combed it back. He used to pull it forward and it would fall down past his nose. I thought that was the funniest thing ever. That was one thing he continued on with the grandkids and they loved it. I can remember them begging him to pull his hair down.
I miss him…He could always make things better…He may not have been able to change things…but he could always make it better. He had just the right words to say…just the right approach…just the right spirit.
I remember being in Yellowstone and feeling sick. I was laying on the bed in the cabin and Dad started to laugh this silly laugh and he just kept laughing until he made me forget that I thought I was sick and started laughing with him.
One time while Craig and I were dating I had invited him to go to the Ponderosa fishing on Labor Day. Sunday night he called and said that he could not go…his own father wanted him to go fishing with him. I was crushed. I had a car stereo that another guy had given me and because I was dating Craig I had chosen not to put it in my car.
As I stood there with my broken heart and cried…Dad looked at me and said: “Hey let’s go put that stereo that that nice young man gave you in your car. We were out there until I think 2:00 in the morning putting that stereo in my car.
I remember one winter when I did not have a coat that looked very good. One day Dad walked into my house and held up a hundred dollar bill and said: “Hey sis, look what I found out in the drive way…it had a note on it that said a new coat for Pam.”
Another time we had been out to get firewood, the lug nuts on the wheel of our truck came off as we were driving around Deer Creek Reservoir. The damage was such that we needed a whole new wheel. Dad showed up at our door with a bottle full of 50 cent pieces that he had been saving…just enough for a new wheel.
He was so unselfish…Had he been a millionaire none of us would have wanted for a thing.
Dad made everyone feel like he was their best friend. Craig always said that he felt like he was his favorite son in law…but as Dad’s funeral one of the men who spoke said:
“Don Bagley made everyone feel like he was their best friend.” Craig just looked at me and smiled…then whispered…”That is what I thought…guess I was wrong.”
If there was one thing I was raised with it was the knowledge that I was loved.
I never left the house without being told: “I love you sis.” I treasure that memory.
I knew without even the slightest doubt that my father loved me…that he loved me enough…that if necessary…he would give his life for me.
Oh how I miss you Dad. We will all remember you on this Father’s Day…The great man that you are…The great legacy that you left for us. I Love you Dad…HAPPY FATHER’S DAY♥