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Show Toinde Transcript, Thurvlav, August fl, 19SI 13 He Knew What He Wanted To Do v t The picture of Cary Gilbert "N that mixed with careful planning that it takes to reach those goals. One of his goals was to become a doctor. He had just finished his first year of at the University of Itah emerge b not that of the typical teenager of today. Cary was the kind that we seldom see - he was the kind we would hke to have more of. He stood 6 feet 2 Inches - you could always pick Cary out of the group. But he stood out erf the crowd in more wavs !'.rL pre-me- scholarship, Recoming a doctor had lieen his goal ever since as a small boy he had problems with his sight and had to wear than height. Oh, he was typical in many ways: He teased his younger brothers, Bruce and Dennis and his sister, Christine and bossed them around. He idolized his older brother Greg. And hke most adolescents, he ate; he ate enough to keep that 6 foot framo going. He had a lot to do and he needed a lot of energy. He liked to tinker as many boys do, and we would often see Cary with his bead under the hood of bis grandfathers old truck. Gary would get the truck in operation for a month or so, and then something new would go wrong. But he glasses. lake any other suffering youngster, he hated the idea, but he turned the time he spent in the opthalmologist's office to good use, intently watching doctors and what they did. Another of Gary's goals concerned a mission for the IDS Church. Since he was old enough to say the word mission, hes wanted to go, his father, Bernard Gilliert, said. Workings part time job at MSI was for him a means to this end, and he worked there after putting in a full shift at the Jr. Mart. Cary had already received his mission call to Rome, Italy and was scheduled to leave Septembr 3. As soon as he received the call, he be- learned something each time it It teemed Dick always bad time for everyone, including the family pet. (Continued from p,ge wcve) mind had been restored to those who had been struck by the tornado. It was in 1973 that Dick and his family came to Crantsville. Following his arrival in Crantsville, Dick's circle of friends quickly widened. His friendly, contagious smile, his willingness to help out, and his desire to serve quickly established Dick liigley as a valued friend. Dick sincerely loved to serve his fellow-meNo problem or adversity was too small or too great for Dick to become involved in. He was always anxious and willing to serve. And while the end results of Dick's efforts usually ended in solving the problem, n. or smoothing the rough waters, there were times when the tragedy stuck Dick with sickening force. Such was the instance when Dick and his companion, searching for a lost Crantsville boy, found the youngster drowned in an irrigation ditch. Never too busy to interrupt or stop his personal pursuits to help others, Dick, was never in a hurry. He always had time to help out. joyed visiting and talking with friends. The topics of his conversions ran the gauntlet from the least important subjects, to those that were vital and important to those that were talking. Dick's children vividly rememler the many hours he spent discussing the "topics of the day and of helping with school homework. "It seemed as though there was no problem too big for him to solve. I le always had the answer for everything, it seemed, is the way one of his children rememlrered Dad". His work and his family, were his first loves, and combined they occupied much of his time. However, he did love the and whenever the chance presented itself for Dick to "get away" he enjoyed the outdoor life. One of his favorite spots was the South Willow canyon and cooking meals dutch out-do- happened. It was his pet hobby. He was typical all right. He liked to have fun. He especially loved hunting and fishing anything to do with the He liked a lot of the things that most teenage boys do, including typical in many ways. But there are many aspects of Garys character and personality that were far from typical of today's youth. He was a young man with definite Yes, Gary was dwell on negative thoughts. A "good talker Dick thoroughly en the determination and grit IjcTSF"' 7 V 75-ya- rd were three brothers who all became coaches like their dad and a sister Phyllis who should have been a boy. A coach in her own right, Phyllis was in Whos Who in American Colleges. It goes almost without saying that Dean and Phyllis kids as they came along Mary Ann, Paul, Barbara and Phil - would follow in their parents footsteps. To the Didericksens and Cullimores it seems as natural as breathing that Phil would letter in five different sports (football, basketball, baseball, tennis and track) and that he would receive recognition in all five, or that he would play on three different state championship teams for three different sports. It was in the blood. Probably the most outstanding aspect of Phils charater is that he was completely unaffected by the honors and praise which were heaped upon him. Often he -- All-Sta- te - . . - m S?, was embarrassed by it, and went to great lengths to avoid it. Phil was one of those rare natural, unin- hibited individuals who does not care what others think of him. He never did anything to impress his peers. They could take him or leave him. Because of this he had fiends on every level. He could hobnob with anybody - kids years younger, older, richer, poorer, smarter, popular or humble. It didnt matter. He was his own r ' Carys favorite view was the fishing rod off the end of the boat. 7 c Jjrre ?W ' - v j . Si person. relish. He stuck with the band right through high school, and managed to particijiate in sports as well, a feut which few have the time and tenacity to pull Along with fishing and hunting, Gary loved sports. If you were to ask him for the highlights of his life, they would include two spectacular sports events. In the 1979 state football championship game, Gary plucked the football out of V t! Shoot For The Stars In order to know Phil Didericksen, we have to know his family. Phil has been touted as one of the greatest athletes in the history of Grantsville. He was always surprised when such accolades came his way, for Phil Didericksen was just doing what comes naturally. Just to say that Phil was a Didericksen meant something. His dad Dean was one of six big Box Elder farm boys - all athdash track reletes. Dean held the cord for Box Elder county for many years, and was a champion swimmer. On his mother Phyllis side, Phil was a Cullimore. In the Cullimore family there you would see him, head almve the rest, playing his trombone, He did it with Scouting was one of his first loves, and he became an Eagle. He was a member of the school's National Honor Society and represented Grantsille High School at Utah Roys' State. He was listed in the American High School Whos Mho. lie took his church duties seriously, presiding in his priesthood quorums. oven style. Richard W. Higley, was just an ordinary man, tucked away among his circle of family, friends, and neightxm. He accepted his responsiblity and challenges without complaining, and worked diligently to solve them before they develop-ed- d into festering al nesses that had derogatory affects on those around him. and happy, reHe was cognized and respected as a good man. The world needs more men like Richard W. Higley, but they are exceedingly difficult to find, because Richard W. Higley was truly one of a kind. Gary came in first in the 1979 region SHOsard run. It was a great moment for him. off. rs hard-worki- His services were always rendered freely, completely and with a smile. That smile will really be missed. He refused to gan preparing in earnest. He got a Italian course and began studsing the language, trying out phrases and words and questions on his brothers and sister. He spent what extra time he could muster studying his missionary discussions. He was enthusiastic and ready toga. Gary's accomplishments matched his 6 foot 2 frame in other ways. When the Grantsville IH$i School Band marched. girls. goals and d studying on an honors at entrance play. It was a year of glory for Gary. It was the year he took first in region track and field events in the 880 yard run. Unlike many of the young people today, Gary was conscious of the importance of good health. He took good care of his body. He loved to run, and he had a set of weights in his room at home that he worked out on every night. He ate only those foods that he felt would be nourishing. He would not eat or drink anything he considered harmful, including carlxmated drinks. There were a couple of frustrating - H 4, Most young people react to being labeled sissy or a coward - labels often Gilberts (no. 50) sensational touchdown in the 1979 championship game Gary will go down in the annals of Grantsville football as one of its most thrilling imposed on them by peers. Phil did not. He was a musician when it was not conmoments. sidered tough to be a musician. He not only drummed up a storm in the Grantsville High School Band, but he was a member of the stage band as well. When he was in the jr. varsity ball, he would shower after his game, and with wanted to do it now. Somehow he man- was over for him. He was always th first hair still dripping, take his place behind to succeed at whatever he tried! He one over to greet the other teams. As a reaged the drums for the varsity games. When he had few failures, like the time he decided sult he knew all the coaches personally, was a varsity star, he still played for the jr. he wanted to play the guitar. He insisted and struck up acquaintances with players varsity games. on getting a guitar before first giving it a on every team he played. He hung around the town memorial One of those friends was Andy Roberts, try with a rented one. By the time he had theatre group, helping to move scenery, his second lesson, he knew more than his veteran sports writer who followed Phils willing to be the guy who carries the spear teacher. career for several years. They had a muon stage if nothing more. He didnt need Phil Didericksen was a winner whether tual affection for each other, and Andy to always be a star. it was music, sports, or hobbies like had warm words of praise for Phil in his Phil was an intense person. Whatever last tribute to him. leatherwork. he did, he did with all his fervor. It was not With high schol graduation, came Phils dad died when he was four. From that he worked harder than others, it was that time on, Phyllis was both mother and offers from many schools. But Phil was just that to him every game, every project father to him. tired, and he almost decided to drop out They went everywhere towas an Olympics. of sports and just go to school. He - mostly to sports events whether gether When he decided to do something, he and had acceptknew the players or not. Every year changed his mind though they on the day that school let out, Phyllis and ed an offer from Snow to try out for the Phil dropped everything, hopped on a schools basketball team. Phil had changed somewhat over the plane and took off somewhere together. Phil liked to be at home. past few months. He began riding to the Sometimes his peers tried to tease him, canyos just to sit and think, he said. He but it just didnt bother him. He liked to talked intensely about life and its meanhave his mother at his games. In fact, most ing. The day he died, Phil got in his truck of the coaches told Phyllis to be there be- before it was time to head for work, and visited with many friends of different ages cause Phil performed better. and interests. As he left the, he made it a Reminiscing on his younger days, his mother remarked that he didnt know point to shake hands with each one of how to be mean. I know he scrapped them. Phils sister Mary Ann wrote some with other boys and got in his share of licks, still he had a few scars and bumps on verses for him on the occasion of his gradhis head, too. One day he got into trouble uation. The last stanza read: So much for throwing rocks. He told his mother, I the sentiment, and all that other stuff. Just threw with my left hand so I couldnt hit shoot for the stars! Youll make it - youre tough. anybody. the air on a quarterback lateral and raced more than half the length of the field for a touchdown, the only touchdown for Crantsville. It was a sensational Phil was the kind who would shoot for Phil made friends with competitors wherever he went. Once a game ended, it the stars and make it. events which slowed Gary down. When he was eight, he fell out of a tree and broke both his arms and had to be almost completely cared for by someone else. The night before he was to graduate from seminary, he became ill with nausea and pain in his side. He gritted his teeth and told the doctor that it didnt hurt. He had a part on the graduation program, and he had every intention of being there. Rack home, he doubled up with pum and had to lx taken to the hospital, his apjx-mli- dangerously swollen. Gary was the product of a strong close-kni- t fdinity, presided over and guided by Bernard and Collen Gilbert He and lies older brother, Greg, now fill England, were iug a mission in especially close - their lives entwined almost like twins. The family mem!ers, like their parents, are quiet, soft soken ami dignified. 1erhaps we can know Gary better through his actions and the comments of those who knew him liest. Gary enthusiastically agreed to take on the boys in the (bib Scout Welxlos and soon had a group of adoring followers. He treated Ins younger brothers and sister with respect and often tixik them with him. He treated them to lunch when he took them to Salt Lake, and took them with him when he went to register at the U. He was grooming Bruce for the coming football season and roused him out of bed to run each morning. Among his peers he was known as the Ixiy who never swore, never told or listened to jokes. (At home it was not unusual for him to turn off the television if he thought family memliers were watching something objectionable). He was never afraid to speak up and defend what he thought was right, but his peers considered Inin fun and friendly, not fanatical. He was a hard worker. lie encouraged others. He was the pepper upper." Gary was eulogized by a friend who said, off-col- "He wasnt always the person you noticed, but when things got finished, he was the one who was still there. And as his sister Christine remarked, "He tried to do his liest even if he had to work extra hours to do it." Gary studied his scriptures; he saved his money; his plans were made; he worked hard, his goal was just ahead. Gary Gilbert was ready to go. Andys Tribute to Phil Phil Didericksen was the best athlete I have seen in 36 years of covering sports in Tooele County. I have seen better football players. I have seen better basketball players. I have seen better tennis players. I have seen better baseball players, and I have seen faster men on the track. But I have never seen one single person that could do as many things as well as Phil Didericksen. in football, basketball and baseball and a state champion in tennis and track, Phil Didericksen stands unchallenged as the finest athlete in my 36 years as a sports All-Sta- reporter. And his excellence didnt stop in the world of athletics! He was active in church activities, in the band, in singing, in school politics and in community services. Wherever there was action that was wholesome, beneficial, good or constructive, there you would find Phil Didericksen unselfishly giving his time and his talents. I hope that Phil Didericksen considered me as one of his countless friends. He always acted like I was a friend of his. He never failed to go out of his way to speak to me, in the gym, on the field or on the court. And he never failed to express his gratitude whenever his actions were chronicled in print. Which was often and regular. I know that I considered Phil Diderick-se- n a friend of mine. Phil Didericksen had the inner confidence that transforms an athlete from the ordinary into greatness. Given equal opportunity against any foe, Phil Didericksen was confident that he was better than his opponent. And most times he was This wasnt the boastful, arrogant attitude of a second-rateIt was the quiet, contagious confidence that spread to his teammates, and gave them the attitude ' T' fj I 1 k r. "0, yv Let er Fly Typical of Didericksens determination on the baseball diamond is portrayed in after unleashing his high, hard one. It was a 100 percent effort this each and every time Phil put on his uniform. afe 'tJ , ' that made them winners with Phil ' follow-throug- Phil always knew he would make it. Didericksen on the team. As an athlete, Phil Didericksen earned and had my admiration. As a man, Phil Didericksen earned and had my deepest respect. In both attributes, ranked number one. Phil Didericksen V |
