Grandpa Bjarnson

Grandpa Bjarnson passed away Septemer 3, 2014.  He had a rough last couple of years.  His body weakened to the point that he was in a wheelchair and basically homebound unless he had a doctor's appointment.  But I would like to focus on Grandpa's good life.

John Gerald Bjarnson, otherwise known as 'Gary'

• Born June 24, 1928 in Spanish Fork, Utah.  
• While young, he lived in Myton, Utah on the Ute Indian Reservation and made friends with the little Indian kids.  

• His family owned and operated a restaurant in his early years.
• Attended the U of U on a basketball scholarship.
• In 1949 went on a church mission to Denmark.

• Married Enid Critchfield December 19, 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple (Met her at BYU).
• Drafted in the army and stationed in Germany and spoke Danish for his assignment.
• My dad, Matt, was born in Germany in 1954, their first child.
• Moved to Provo and had 4 more kids.
• Finished his teaching degree at BYU and taught math at Granite High school for 20 years.
• During the summer, he would build houses for extra cash.
• Loved fishing and hunting.
• Designed and built his family's home in Holladay, lived there 31 years.

• Served 4 church missions with his wife! 1) Cook Islands in the South Pacific 2) SLC inner city mission with the Laotian Stake 3) Family History Center 4) CES Institute mission in Hungary.

The thing I will keep in my memory bank about Grandpa is how he would take Maisy and I fishing on his little fishing boat up to Strawberry Reservoir.  He did this for quite a few summers while we were young.  

Grandpa and Grandma would have really fun barbeques in their nice backyard in Holladay.  I loved that yard.  It was half acre and we would play tag, ball, and make our own games up.  We would also pick all the peas we ever wanted. 

I still remember the time he got lost in the Uintah Mountains in October of 2005.  He went hunting with my dad, and they got separated.  He ended up being alone on the mountain overnight in freezing cold temperatures.  He told me that he melted snow in his mouth for water.  He put his glove on a branch for his pillow.  He also almost got shot by some other hunters.  Search and rescue helped find him. I remember going at 5am to join the search crew.  He was found by a helicopter because he laid down and waved his ski poles, similar to a snow angel.  I was so relieved when he was found alive!  My grandma attributed his survival to his "Icelandic stock."  He was honored to be Icelandic.

He always lit up when we visited him.  He had a special sparkle in his eye watching my little kids play.  He enjoyed picking them up, sitting them in his lap, and talking to them.  

Grandpa was buried in the Spanish Fork Cemetary with military honors.  Right after the program ended, a massive downpour started.  It was as if the heavens waited until the ceremony was finished before they released their built up reservoir.  

Rest in peace Grandpa!  

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We knew his time was near at hand, so we visited with him right before he left.  Here Grandma was singing him songs.  I love her songs and voice.

His viewing was at the Goff Mortuary on Sunday, September 2.

All the grandkids gave this to Grandpa, thanks to Maisy, who organized it.

Scott's parents sent us flowers too! I thought that was sweet of them.

All of the cousins on the Bjarnson side, minus one; Stuart, whose wife had a baby in Arizona at the same time.

Grandpa was buried down in Spanish Fork Cemetary.

He earned full military honors for his service.

The Pall Bearers

My siblings

Sisters

Beautiful casket

Right before the downpour of rain

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Here's Grandpa and Grandma on my wedding day in 2002.

Rest in Peace Grandpa. We love you! Picture drawn by Makayla on Grandpa's final day.