Glen Adams Rhodes, beloved husband, father and son passed away on September 12, 2009, at his home in American Fork, Utah. He was born September 25, 1921 to Alonzo and Clara Woffinden Rhodes, the second of three sons. Glen and his wife, Lona Walker were married July 17, 1942 and their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. He called Lona his "jewel" and they celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary this year. Glen and Lona were blessed with five children: Larry (Shauna); Kent (Chris); Dennis (Kris); Julie Ann (Ronald) and Randy (Kelli). Glen worked for 36 years at U.S. Steel Geneva Works; he became general foreman of the open hearth and retired in 1980. Glen was valiant in his testimony of Jesus Christ; he believed that the key to happiness was following the Savior. He served as ward finance clerk, Elder's Quorum President, Bishop and counselor in the American Fork Stake Presidency. He and his wife served in the Provo Temple Baptistry for seven years. They filled a four year stake mission and served as missionaries in San Jose, California. His good nature and warm sense of humor made friends wherever he went; he had the talent for making everyone feel comfortable and at ease. Survivors include his wife and five children, 31 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and his brother Don (LaVerne) of Idaho Falls.
A thought from the funeral home that I loved:
We should remember - sorrow shared is sorrow diminished.
If a friend of mine gave a feast, and did not invite me to it, I should not mind a bit. But, if a friend of mine had a sorrow and refused to allow me to share it, I should feel it most bitterly. If he shut the doors of his house of mourning against me, I would move back again and again and beg to be admitted, so that I might share in what I was entitled to share. If he thought me unworthy, unfit to weep with him, I should feel it as the most poignant humiliation, as the most terrible mode by which disgrace could be inflicted upon me. He who can look on the loveliness of the world and share its sorrow, and realize something of the wonder of both, is in immediate contact with divine things, and has got as near to God's secret as anyone can get.
– Oscar Wilde
The song that my uncle performed at their 50th wedding anniversary, and is truly a beautiful description of my grandparents:
Look at us
After all these years together
Look at us
After all that we've been through
Look at us
Still leaning on each other
If you want to see
How true love should be
Then just look at us
Look at you
Still pretty as a picture
Look at me
Still crazy over you
Look at us
Still believin' in forever
In a hundred years from now
I know without a doubt
They'll all look back and wonder how
We made it all work out
Chances are
Well go down in history
When they want to see
How true love should be
They'll just look at us
So many thoughts, stories, and emotions have been flooding my mind over the past week. Riding to Kindergarten in the basket of his bike, fishing on my birthday, watching in awe as he made the nickel vanish, picking cherries in the backyard, the constant quest to find the missing pocketknife at USU, homemade ice cream, Purple Turtle, driving into the mailbox, and so many more. His last three words whispered to my Grandmother a few days before his passing were "stay with you," a final testament of the love and devotion that I watched throughout my childhood.
Every time I left their house (built with his very hands) he would say, "You're a good one, and you can quote me on that!"
It definitely goes both ways. He was a good one.
