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Show TREE OF REMEMBRANCE By GARY R. BLODGETT No finer tribute can be paid than that given last Friday afternoon to Leslie (Les) Earl of Centerville. LES WAS custodian at J. A. Taylor Elementary School for six years before his death early last May. But Les was more than a custodian. He was a friend to every student in that school, and loved by all. IT WAS A sad ending of a school year when Les died following surgery. Students and teachers, alike, remorsed the passing of Les. But even though they missed him, they didn't want to forget him. So plans were started almost immediately immedi-ately to do something in remembrance of their beloved custodian. FRIDAY, THOSE plans were completed. complet-ed. An FJberta peach tree was planted on the school's front lawn in remembrance of Les. Students, teachers, city, county and school officials, and scores of parents attended the dedication under a balmy,' fall skv. MRS. LUCILE Reading, president of the Davis School Board of Education and long-time friend and neighbor of Les, paid tribute to Les for his kindness and friendship to all students, for his dedication dedica-tion to his job, and for his loving way with people. A duet, "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning," Morn-ing," was sung by Janae and David Mcintosh. Mcin-tosh. The student choir sang three of Les' favorite songs: "Oh, What a World It Would Be," "Oh Beautiful For Spacious Skies," and "I Live On a Street In My Home Town." DAVE PROBERT, new school custodian, cus-todian, placed the first shovel full of dirt around the tree. A special tribute to Les was then read by Mrs. Lisa Turpin, a teacher at the school. The tribute follows: A TRIBUTE TO LES ; We, the family and friends of Les Earl are witnessing a beginning i This early peach tree being planted by Dave Probert is a "tree of remembrance" for Less Earl, custodian for six years at J. A. Taylor Elementary School in Centerville. Mr. Earl died following surgery sur-gery last May and tribute was paid to him with program and planting of the tree. today. The beginning of a Legend. Nothing could be more appropriate than a beginning for a tribute to "Speedy", "Pockets" or "Curley", names that Les was known by to many of the students ofj. A. Taylor. Les loved beginnings. The beginning of each day was special to Les. As an early bird all his life, he watched his Centerville awaken to beautiful mornings. The songs of the birds were in the cheerful tunes he always whistled. Les made the beginning of school pleasant for everyone. The boiler was always started m time to have the school warm when we arrived. Students and faculty were greeted with a friendly "good morning"! Les also enjoyed beginning a new friendship and was willing to take the time to make it grow. As a new teacher in the school a few years ago, I remember how Les made it a point to visit me and find out about my interests. He gave a lot of time and service to his friends at school. Who could count the many trips he made in the night to close the windows that somehow missed a teacher's inspection? inspec-tion? We recall the hooks he put on the end of our pointers so we could close the windows and pull down the movie screens without standing on a chair. Les looked forward to the beginning begin-ning of spring. The flowers and trees revitalized his spirits. He took pride in the school grounds even the pyracantha bushes he so meticulously trimmed twice a year. Les - A man of beginnings!! Today we dedicate a 'beginning July Elberta Peach Tree in his memory and his honor. As this tree continues in growth, so will our legend of Les continue here at school. No one dies if they are remembered. |