Papa Voorhees

My grandfather passed away on the 5th of May from complications of a stroke 2 1/2 years ago. Even though his health wasn't great, his passing was a bit of a surprise. The time of his passing was such a blessing because my aunt Kathy and mom who both live in California, happened to be in Utah for a wedding and graduation, which made it possible for all four siblings to be with their dad as he passed away.

OBITUARY
H. GAIL VOORHEES Visit Guest Book
H. Gail Voorhees 1921 ~ 2010 H. Gail Voorhees, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grand-father, passed away on May 5, 2010 in Holladay, Utah, at the age of 88, of causes incident to age. He was born on June 24, 1921 in Manti, Utah to Henry and Aileen Voorhees. He married Earlene Christensen on July 14, 1952 in the Manti LDS Temple. Gail was best known for his beautiful gardens. He was a sports fanatic, and starred in track and basketball in college. He had a sharp wit and was a great storyteller. He earned an accounting degree from BYU, and an MBA from NYU. He served as an officer in the Navy in World War II, and built a successful manufacturers' representative business. He is survived by his children; Greg (Billie), Lou Ann Thompson (Michael), Kathy Lloyd (Terry), Christy Allen (Wayne), 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two on the way. He is also survived by three brothers: Neil, Don, and Doug Voorhees. He was preceded in death by his eternal companion Earlene, sisters Renee and Ruby, and brothers Lynn and Ivan. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, May 10, 2010 at noon in the Holladay 8th Ward Chapel, 5450 S. Holladay Boulevard. Friends and Family may call one hour prior to the service. Interment at the Holladay Memorial Cemetery, 4900 Memory Lane, Holladay, Utah. The Family wishes to thank the many employees of The Highland Care Center, who loved and cared for Gail since October 2006, following a debilitating stroke, "Mr. 134" and our family couldn't have done it without you! We love you dad and though we dearly miss you, we rejoice that you and mom are together once again!
Published in Salt Lake Tribune from May 8 to May 9, 2010

Three Amazing Papas!
I'm so grateful I was able to see Papa and have him meet Stella a few months ago.

Part of the funeral program was "Remembrances of our Papa,"by the grandchildren. I have a lot of great memories of my papa, but the memory I shared was when I lived in Utah while going to BYU from '96-'98. Even though I'd wanted to go to BYU my whole life and had worked really hard to get there, I was very homesick. I started going to papa's house on the weekends to get a taste of home. He'd sit in his gray recliner and watch sports (lots of Jazz games!) and I'd lay on the couch dozing in and out (catching up on much needed sleep) and sometimes Doni would sit at the end of the couch with me and rub my feet.
Occasionally my roommates would come down for the weekend for a bit of an escape too. At times I worried I was imposing on him, but if I didn't come down, the next time I saw him he'd say that he'd missed my visit and he always stock the freezer with my favorite frozen yogurt. Since we both have a sweet tooth he'd usually by some sort of treat at the bakery and he'd get us dinner at Meirer's Chicken. I'd never spent so much time with Papa before, and I loved it. He shared lots of stories, we kept each other company and his home was a place of refuge for me. I will be forever grateful to him for that and for the time we spent together.

Papa had military honors and the ceremony was very touching.

The four siblings

Holden never misses an opportunity to perform.

Travis didn't hear me and my mom shouting at him to stop the car before he hit this cement garbage can. It was really quite heavy and took both of my brothers to move it back in place. Fortunately there was no damage to the car and what's even better is the fact that I didn't do it! :)

My little man.

My adorable niece Lucy Lou and her daddy.

Ms. Stella jane and my cousin Blakeley's baby girl ,Brinlee jane, they're two months apart.

Love this picture of my dad and Carson, perfectly content. They look like two peas in a pod with their matching smiles.

Papa and Doni's posterity.

My parents are so supportive to one another. They're the other one's constant companion lending support and help through all that something like this entails: grieving, planning, organizing, working really hard and running around like crazy.... They're such good examples to me, love them.