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Show -NEWS- Spanish Fork Covering what matters most WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2008 • A5 Military service instills patriotism training. One of the hardest things about his time Finest Hour in the service was leaving Christy Hardman home so young. It was his first time away from home, James "Jay" Measom and he thought he would be was in high school during all right because he went in World War II. Many of his with four other young men friends were getting drafted, from Spanish Fork. Unforand he knew what was com- tunately during the physical ing. He got together with examinations they found some of his friends in Feb- he had a hernia, and they ruary of 1944, and enlisted pulled him from his unit in the Navy before the draft and hospitalized him for notices could assign them surgery. It was also his first to the infantry or something surgery, and he said he was else unpleasant. Three days "scared to death" going into after he graduated he was the hospital all by himself called into active duty. He so far away from anyone considered himself lucky he knew. Measom said that to be able to graduate since was a "pretty dark experihe wasn't yet 18 in high ence." school. Some of his friends In spite of his misgivwho had earlier birthdays ings, Measom made it than him didn't even get to through his surgery and his finish high school. homesickness, and even Measom went to Great though he never caught Lakes Naval Training Cen- up with his Spanish Fork ter in . Illinois where he buddies, he met good peospent eight weeks in basic ple and made a lot of new friends. "I didn't have time to be homesick after that," he said. From the Great Lakes Naval Base, he went to a Chicago for one month where he attended a radio school, and then it was back to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center again. Measom was training to repair ships. He went through basic engineering training at the Great Lakes and then trained in diesel mechanics in Richmond, Va. for another six weeks. In February of 1945 he^ was shipped overseas on a troop ship to Naples,. Italy. He was assigned to a Navy Training Base doing ship repair in Palermo, Sicily, where he worked on ships that had been damaged in combat until the war ended. He didn't have enough points for discharge at that point, so he was assigned to the USS Providence in the Mediterranean until July 1946 when he was finally able to return to his home and family. Measom said he counted himself very blessed to not see any real conflict while in the service. "If I was sent to the Pacific where they were going to send me, I'd have been in a mess out there," he said. After Measom was discharged, he returned home and attended BYU, went on a mission to Australia, and married Donna Aitken from Lake Shore when he was 24 years old. They have five children, 22 grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. He taught school at Spanish Fork Junior High for 34 years. He taught social studies and math. Measom said his time in the service greatly increased his appreciation for the many freedoms in the United States. James Measom Measom's love for his country has continued to grow through the years. He has expressed his patriotism through his service in the American Legion. "I belong to the honor guard, and I consider it an honor and a privilege to attend the funerals of veterans and give them their military rights," he said. Measom said if he could give the rising generation one gift it would be a deeper appreciation for what they have in the US. ' i would tell them to look around and see the advantages and blessings we have for being citizens of this great country, to see what things have been done for them. I would also tell them that they have a responsibility to carry on and prepare things for the future." Measom said he hears a lot of people complaining about the economy and various other conditions in the daily grind of life. 4i Yes, there's a lot to gripe and complain about, if that's what you're looking at," he said. "But there's a lot more we can be grateful for. Serving in the military was a good experience for me, and I'm glad that I had it." A deed well done Courtesy photo HELPING HANDS: As part of Youth Conference this year, youth from the Mt. Loafer Ward in Satem donated several hours picking up trash, pulling weeds and trimming trees at the Salem Pond. Obituaries Bonnie Ann Sorensen Hair Bonnie Ann Sorensen Hair, age 57, passed away peacefully July 5 after a valiant fight with breast cancer. She was bom June 7,1951 to James Bernell and Da Mae Young Sorensen in Murray. She was raised in Spanish Fork, the oldest of six children. She married Eldon Johnson Hair in the Manti LDS Temple Jan. 21,1970. Bonnie was a wonderful and loving mother to five children: Jonathon, Adam, Jared, Julie and Rachel. She has nine grandchildren. Bonnie was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of dren; mother, Ila Mae; brothers, Latter-day Saints. Her unshak- Jim and Dennis; sisters, Pam, able faith in her Savior, Jesus Paulla and Linda. She was preChrist, was seen in her everyday ceded in death by husband, Elactions and words. She had great don; sons, Adam and Jared; and love for those that came into her father, James Bernell. life, whether it was for a few minThe family would like to utes or for years. She loved be- thank Huntsman Cancer Hospital ing a mother and grandmother so for the great love and care they much that she "adopted" another showed our mother. Thanks also daughter, Jodi, and four more to Vista Care for their help during grandchildren. She lived her Bonnie's last few weeks. Funeral life to the fullest and was happi- services will be held Wednesest when she was spending time day, July 9, 2008, 11 a.m. at the with family. Bonnie worked as a Granger West LDS Stake Center, secretary for ZCMI for 13 years. 3901 West 2925 South. A viewShe then worked in the Admitting ing will be held Tuesday, 6-8 Dept. at the University Hospital p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, for the past 10 years. 4330 South Redwood Road and Bonnie is survived by three Wednesday at the church, 10children: Jonathon (Stacy), Julie 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Inter(Jeff) and Rachel; nine grandchil- ment, Spanish Fork Cemetery. Missionary Eva Jean Nelson .Eva Jean Nelson, age 80, of Spanish Fork, passed away Friday, July 4. She was bom Oct. 10, 1927 in Spanish Fork, the daughter of Willard James Vincent and Fanny Elizabeth Clayson. She married Sterling Reid Nelson on Sept. 28, 1946. They are the parents of one son, Arthur Reid Nelson. Eva Jean attended local schools and graduated from Spanish Fork High School and attended Brigham Young University. She worked as a telephone operator at Mountain Bell for over 34 years and at Nature's Sunshine for 14 years. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved singing in the ward choir and served in various callings. She was also a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and was proud of her heritage. Eva Jean was an amazing person. She had no boundaries for the love and acceptance of people. She enjoyed spending time with oth- ers, and was a friend to many. She loved her grandchildren more than anything; they were her life. She also enjoyed golf, music, attending plays and traveling, with the senior citizens. She was an avid BYU basketball fan. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but her loving influence will continue on. Eva Jean is survived by her six grandchildren: Ryan (Katie) Nelson, Brad (Beth) Nelson, Lori (Brian) Hansen, Jared (Brigette) Nelson, Michael Nelson, Emily (Jason) Robin- son, and Lindsey Hales; nine great-grandchildren: Jonathan, Andrew, Madilyn, Andrea, Megan, Carter, Cooper, Reese and Halle; one sister, Afton (Kenneth) Larsen; and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband and son; two brothers,Floyd and Leon Vincent; and sister Mildred Higham. The family would like to thank the staff at Hearthstone Manor and Alpine Home Health and Hospice for the care that she received. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 11 at 11 a.m. at the 3rd Ward building, 400 North 600 West, Spanish Fork. Friends and family may call at the mortuary Thursday, July 10, from 6-8 p.m and Friday from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at. the church prior to the services. Burial will be in the Spanish Fork City. Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.walkerfamilymortuary.com Tyler Ferre Tyler Ferre, son of Jerry and Bonnie Ferre, has returned home after serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. He will speak on Sunday, July 13 at 9 a.m. in the Benjamin 2nd Ward, 3238 West 7300 South, Benjamin. source for Lifestyles .;$ Spanish Fork News•$ |