“Even though our sons and our daughters may forget much of
what they hear, they will never forget that which they feel. The emphasis that parents place upon things
of life has a lasting effect upon their children….as a rule, the teaching that
is done by exemplary living has a
greater impact upon the lives of children than does any other form of
teaching. One can preach a better sermon
with his life than with his lips.”
I’m not sure where or how I got the above quote, but it has been a
favorite of mine that has been taped to the inside of one of my kitchen cupboards
for years. I have much improvement to
make, but it is something I believe and strive to do. The quote, I feel, totally describes my Grandpa
Littlewood. I can see it even more since
his funeral, almost two weeks ago, April 23, 2015.
Grandpa’s funeral was wonderful. It was interesting to hear from others their perspective of Clarence Leo Littlewood. I found it touching to hear how he had blessed many lives through his quietness and example. I came away feeling even more grateful for this man and loving him even more for all of his goodness. Inside I had a quiet wish that I could have just a few more moments to talk with him about some of those events.
Because that's not possible, I'll make note of some of the awe-inspiring things
said that impressed me – great things to rejoice in, to record for me and
others, and always to remember about my Grandpa.
He never said much and when he did it was quietly
spoken. He always had a big smile!
He was a member of the Richfield 4th ward for
almost a century. At 12 years of age he
became a member of the newly created Richfield 4th ward and stayed in the same ward until he
moved to the Monroe Care Center in January 2014. That’s 85 years in the same ward!
Leo was the ward clerk for 7 different
bishops. My cousin, Dan, pointed out
that if he served with each bishop for 5-6 years that’s about 35-42 years. My aunt Janet mentioned that she never
remembered him sitting with them in the congregation during Sacrament
Meeting. At that time, the ward clerk
sat up on the stand on the opposite side of the Sacrament table.
Grandpa was without guile. He was so kind and never talked about himself, but
always listened to others. I can attest
to that. Grandma always did most of the
talking. It seemed like we never knew
too much of his life. I think it was God’s
will for Grandma to pass away first so that our family could have some years
alone with Grandpa to learn about him and from him.
He was a shoe repairman by trade and owned the
Richfield shoe shop that had been in the family for 3 generations.
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| Business envelope for the shoe shop |
During the viewing the night before, it was said by
many that came through the line how Grandpa fixed their boots and shoes,
or recovered their boat seats, or motorcycle seats. At one of my last visits to the care center,
one of the nurses told us that she heard a couple visiting with Grandpa who
thanked him again for recovering one of their seats so that they could sit
together as sweet hearts many years ago.
That was one thing about Grandpa, with him and his talents we “never had
a hole in the seat”. He could recover a
chair, couch, or seats in the car like a champ!
When Lance and I were getting ready to move to Kansas to go to law
school, someone gave us an old, long couch and Grandpa recovered that for us in
a dusty blue color. It was like new and
so beautiful! Years later when we
purchased a brand new couch, he recovered our gliding rocker seat to match the
pillows of the couch. I also have heard
that Grandpa recovered some of the seats in the Manti temple. All of his children and grandchildren have
received one of his well-made, well-liked, unique picnic blankets that he sewed
together from scraps of upholstery fabric.
Grandpa was always busy, always doing projects. He was very talented with leather work and
tooling.
One of his grandchildren asked him what he didn't like about his job as a shoe repairman. His reply was, stinky feet!
Camping was something Grandma and Grandpa did a
lot. Growing up I don't remember taking
any “real” vacations. Our vacationing and get-a-ways were camping.
My cousin, Dan, shared a cute fishing story he had with my Grandpa at a cousin camp out at Fish Lake. Apparently all of the older cousins went fishing and since he was so young he wasn't allowed to go. This upset him and he was sad, and Grandpa noticed the lower lip hanging. Grandpa was not a fisherman (his dad was), but he had a desire to help make Danny happy. Grandpa took Dan and the two of them went fishing. Except, they did not have a fishing pole, so they got a stick. No fishing line either, but Grandpa had some thread. Grandpas used a safety pin as the fishing hook and attached some red naugahyde fabric as fish bait. They were set to go! Amazingly they caught a fish! As Dan related the story, he said the other cousins did not catch a fish that day, but he and Grandpa did. Just one of the examples of Grandpa always looking for a way to help others.
Grandpa loved the Gospel and he loved his
family. I recall that he and Grandma
made it a priority to be to family baby blessings, baptisms, and weddings. Those events and family were important to
them.
Perry Gardner, Grandpa’s friend, spoke at the
funeral and he shared that he would quite frequently stop by and visit and
check on Grandpa. Many times they would
bear testimony to each other and pray together during their visits.
Perry said Grandpa was a very learned man and
lived a pure and honest life with his fellowmen. He shared a story about Jack Anderson who got
his boot stuck in a tractor and came to the shoe shop on a day when Grandpa was
extremely busy. Grandpa told jack he couldn't fix his boot right then so Jack asked if he could fix it himself. Jack did the repairs and when he was finished
he wanted to pay Grandpa. Grandpa declined
because he didn't fix the boot, Jack did.
Another story was about Bill Tueller.
As I recall the story, Bill had some really old, bad looking boots. He brought them in for Grandpa to fix, which
Grandpa did. When Bill came back a few
days later to get his boots, he didn’t recognize them because Grandpa had fixed
them up and created something “new”.
Grandpa had a big smile, a twinkle in his eye, happy
all of the time, and content with himself.
He knew the Gospel and lived it.
Another story Perry shared was an experience Perry heard from his own dad, who was the bishop at the time. With Grandpa serving as the ward clerk, they worked
until about midnight looking for “the Lord’s penny’. Earlier that day, as they were processing the
Fast Offerings, things were not matching up, they were missing a penny. They looked and looked and finally found it
on the floor behind a desk (I think). Grandpa was so excited! Grandpa was meticulous in his paperwork and
record keeping.
Uncle Merril told about Grandpa’s mission. At the outbreak of World War II Grandpa was
working in the Swiss mission home. He
had the assignment to evacuate the elders through France to board ships back to
America. Grandpa was one of the last
missionaries to leave the country and went on to complete his mission in the North Central States Mission in
Montana.
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| Leo and missionaries in the North Central States Mission at the Cardston Temple |
It was said again that Grandpa was without
guile. While he was not a “wealthy” man financially,
he was able to manage what he had, and he and Grandma never had any debt. I believe they paid cash for their home. From Grandma’s personal history she
writes: “We bought our home on July 5,
1944 for $2,000.00. It is the same
location where we now live. We have
remodeled and upgraded a couple of times and continue to do so to make it
comfortable.”
Grandpa always got along well with people and
never argued with others.
Merril shared an experience he had that changed
his heart. Merril had moved away from
home, was rebellious and chose not to live as he was taught at home. He
became quite ill and had to return home to recover. His parents did not preach or lecture him,
but by their love and example and the good feeling at home, Merril recognized the difference in how he was living his life and desired to change. Merril changed and soon after he went on a
mission.
At the Monroe Care Center, Grandpa was a
spiritual mentor. He served well there
and gave many blessings. That was why
his life was prolonged and one of his last assignments of things to do while on
earth – to make friends and serve them there at the Care Center.
Towards the last few years of his life, Grandpa
would tell Merril that he was “ready to die, but not today.”
Grandpa’s Bishop from the 4th ward stated that “Leo
was a living sermon”. The Bishop said it
was hard for Leo to move to the Care Center, but he did it. He wasn't happy about the change in his life. Grandpa, however, soon had a change of attitude and
went to work serving others at the center.
I recall Grandpa being upset that his driving privileges were taken from
him and then he had to move out of his home. This was hard for him and he didn't like it. However, it wasn't too long after that he started
telling his family how much he enjoyed being at the Care Center. This could be because he was around other
people and not so lonely, having someone care for his basic needs, and maybe not
having to worry about his home and upkeep.
But most likely, the thing that brought him the most happiness was being
able to serve and help others the best he could at the Care Center.
During his message, the Bishop shared scriptures
from Alma 42:7-11; 2 Nephi 9:9; and verses from John 10 – “The works that I do
in my father’s name….” The Bishop told
the congregation that Grandpa believed, he didn't have to prove it, he lived it
through his good works. He also made
reference to President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's most recent general conference message with a
story about those without guile.
As others spoke, I remembered some other experiences that I
don’t want to forget about my Grandpa.
One was that he weekly drove the widows to the Manti Temple. He was doing this at 90+. Grandpa was also so proud of his last Church
calling, which was to get the prayers for Sacrament Meeting. Instead of telephoning, because most people
would not answer his phone call, he would just drive to their homes and ask
them. He was meticulous in his record
keeping of these assignments too. I recall about 2 years ago he showed me the list he used to keep
track of who prayed and when, and whose turn it might be. Serving in the Lord's kingdom to the end and you're never too old to serve, is what I've learned from my grandpa's example.
I
love my Grandpa! I am grateful to my Heavenly
Father that I could be a part of the Leo Littlewood family. He is a remarkable man. The funeral services were wonderful and the
day was beautiful to honor this magnificent man. The timing of his passing was a miracle for many
in the LeAnn and Lew Wade family. I’ll
have to save those thoughts for writing and recording another time. I was reminded again how much God is aware of us and knows us, He cares
for us and it is evident in the tender mercies He blesses us with.
Finally, another well-liked quote in my kitchen cupboard is..
“Be
patient in growing your family…. One of the joys of family life is building
fond memories for our children to look back on after they have left home.” (Robert D. Hales, BYU Women’s Conference,
April 30, 2004)
As my Grandpa has left
his earthly “home” he leaves behind fond and happy memories for the rest of us to look back on. It makes living as a family a great joy and blessing. One day we'll be there, reunited together in our "heavenly home" with Grandpa and Grandma as they welcome us with open arms. [Listen to "We'll Be There", a song at this link, then do a search in the music section for "We'll Be There", by Conlon Bonner and Josie Scere. ]
Love you Grandpa!!!
Desert News Obituary
Obituary from the Richfield Repear
Some photos from the funeral....
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