My fathers name is Earl Smith Thompson, he was born November 2, 1911, to Edmund Albert and Ida Mae Smith Thompson in the town of Escalante, Utah. My dad was a very gentle loving person. He wasn't perfect but to me he was 99% perfect. He was not only my dad but he was really my best friend. I could talk to him about any problem and it seemed like he always had an answer.

On December 9, 1935, he married my mother Leora Larsen in Rupert, Idaho. They were married in my Uncle Lorias' (Tommy) house by the Bishop.

Dad was always there for me. I remember a time we went to Escalante and Henrieville on a vacation. My cousin Susan Richans (now Seamons) went with us. We took our camp trailer. We were in Henrieville by the old school. We were eating dinner and Mom and Dad were on one side of the table, Susan and I were on the other side. When Susan and I looked out the window, we swore there was an Indian looking through the window at us. Dad had been telling us Indian stories. Susan and I got scared and tipped the table over with all the food going all over mom and dad's laps. Everyone just sat there and laughed. Dad went out side to check and see what it was we saw. All he saw was deer tracks in the dirt.

We would go on a weeks vacation just about every summer. When I was about 12 or 13 years old we went to the Dakotas where the president's heads are carved into the mountain. That was an interesting and exciting trip. While we were there we rode on an old train, it was quite a long train ride. Dad and I rode on one of the cars that allowed you to stand on the out side. We went through the mountains and the smoke from the engines flew over our heads. You could also hear the chug, chug of the engines very clearly. We also went into the dinning car and into the Caboose.

Dad also took me Deer hunting every year, just about ever since I was old enough to walk. It seems like we would always go out to Yost, either on my sister Alta's Ranch (before she sold it.) or on top of this small mountain. We had this really big white tent that we would sleep in. We would put hay on the floor of the tent, then the mattresses and then the sleeping stuff. I remember one time we had gotten some deer, and they were hung in the trees. There were some Coyotes that were just a howling all night that night. I got very scared so I crawled in-between Mom and Dad. Dad told me that they would not hurt me, but I felt much safer by him and mom.

When I was in my teens I took Hunters Safety with three of my nieces and was able to get my permit. The next hunting season I went hunting again with my dad. We saw some Deer but I did not get one because my gun jammed, I was quite upset at that.

We went on another trip, I think it was to California. We were sleeping in a Plymouth Station Wagon that Mom and Dad at that time. We left the tail gate down and everyone was asleep when all of a sudden at the crack of dawn there was this real big "Moo". A cow had smelled dad's feet and stuck her head into the car and moo'd. I guess she didn't like the smell of his feet. It really scared all of us. We would travel allot to Twin Falls, Idaho to Uncle Ira's and Aunt Velma's. I liked going up there because Uncle Ira was a such a joker and a tease. We were up there one time with my cousin Susan. She and I were going to sleep outside on Uncle Ira's lawn when we heard over the Radio or the TV,

I can't remember which, but they said that there was a Tornado coming. Boy that was spooky, the whole sky went black, so we decided not to sleep out that night. The next day we left to go home. I wanted to go home that night but dad said we would be all right and we were.

Dad loved animals, he always let us have dogs and cats, I even had a hamster once. We had a dog once, she was a German Shepherd, her name was lady. She was supposed to be my dog, but she really loved Dad and follow him everywhere he went.

I only had eighteen years on this earth with my Dad and that really wasn't long enough, but I am sealed to him and Mom and that helps. We also had our ups and downs, but I miss him very much. I wish my husband Jerry and my boys Justin and Travis could have been around their Grandfather and father-in-law. They have just seen pictures of him and heard stories about him. They would have loved him as much as we all do.

We would go water skiing on the Mantua reservoir when I was about twelve years old. I remember the day I learned to ski, it was behind my oldest sisters boat. They told me that if I fell that should let go of the rope. Well I didn't when I fell and I think I drank about half of the reservoir. After that I caught on. Dad and I fixed up a little red and white boat that dad had, really it was a family project. Mom helped too. We fiber glassed it, painted it, and it was done. We had allot of fun doing it. We also had fun skiing with it and just riding in it.

Dad's family was really important to him. He was the back bone that kept us close and together. I know that he is still watching over us. Dad told me about when he married Mom he had to sell his model A car. He must of really loved her allot. I know that he did for a fact. He loved all of his children and was very proud of his grandchildren.

Dad loved to go camping and fishing with his family. We would go camping up Logan Canyon, to the Malibu Campground with the whole family most of the time. One time we went to Henrieville, Utah to Uncle Bart and Aunt Virginia Smith's House and we took my cousin Susan with us. Susan and I put make-up on Uncle Bart and we also put his hair into two pony tails. Then we got into the car to go visit one of his children, I don't remember which one, and Aunt Virginia said she didn't want to be seen with Uncle Bart looking like that, but he didn't care, we went anyway make-up and all. All of my Uncles and Aunts were and are very kind and thoughtful people. I enjoyed being around all of them.

Even though it has been 22 years since my Dad has been gone, I still miss him more and more, and I love him very much. Sometimes before I was married I would get depressed and miss him allot. I would go up to the Cemetery and sit by his grave and talk to him. I don't do it much now since getting married, but boy I wish he was here to talk too and help me through ruff times.

I miss you, my Dad, my Friend.

by his 3rd daughter Earlene Thompson Varner.

My Father and I had a special bond because I was born on his birthday and was also named after him. My Dad was the kind of person that you could always talk to if there was anything wrong and if you needed someone to listen and help you decide what to do. I remember when I was ten years old and got Polio and had to be put into the Hospital for three months, he was always there to see me when he wasn't working.

When I grew up and got married we always went on weekend fishing trips up Logan Canyon and Bear Lake. That's when the whole family would get together. And every year the family would get together and go Deer Hunting. My legs always bothered me if I walked to much, so when we were hunting dad stayed close so I wouldn't get too tired. He would always say "lets sit, lets sit down and rest because I am tired", but I knew it was really because he didn't want me to over do it.

When ever I had a baby he would make a special trip over to see his new grandchild, he was so proud of all his kids and Grand kids. I know that if he were here today he would be real proud of all his Great Grandchildren.

I remember how hard my dad worked to make sure his family had what we needed. Even after he started to get sick he still did not give up and kept on working and taking care of his family. He would never say anything when he didn't feel well.

I remember some of the trips we took with him to Washington and to Yellowstone Park. Where-ever we went, dad always made the trips so much fun.

Every Sunday we would go to Aunt Velma's house for dinner. Dad was the kind of person that everyone liked, he had so many good friends. Dad made everyone feel welcome when they came to his house.

There is a song that when I hear it, it makes me think of my Dad. The name of the song is "They don't make them anymore like my Daddy". All my Aunts and Uncles were so good to all of us kids. We were always a close family. Most of all I remember that every year Dad would bring his camp trailer over and park it at my house in Logan and stay a week every Summer.

Most of all I miss him very much and wish we could have the good old days back again. Even though my dad has been gone for 22 years, there isn't a day that goes bye that he isn't in my heart and mind and we all miss him and will always love him.