Wightman's Wooed to Utah

It took a wedding to bring the Wightman family to Utah. Living out of state most of their lives, they were like the illusive butterfly. The Park family (June's maiden name) seldom saw these cousins, but longed to know them.

Here's a photo of Aunt June, Tony (the bride's dad) & Bret Wightman (on the right) at Courtney's wedding in Salt Lake on March 6th. What handsome men they are. Last time most of us saw them was thirty or more years ago. It's quite rare for this many Wightman's to be in the same place at the same time with their Park cousins.
Many of us had to be reintroduced or would not know who they were.

Aunt June's, six children almost never see each other. Joe the youngest, lives in Germany & visited Tony in Florida last winter. They hadn't been together for about twenty years. Cheryl the oldest is in Portland, the twins, Ned & Neal live in California, Tony is in Florida & Brett in Colorado.

June recently returned from a mission to Nauvoo. Both Tony & Brett are active in the Church & have worked together in several businesses. It's been a challenge to keep close with children & grand children, but June has done a great job.

Remembering Oldies, But Goodies

In 1961 the car we drove around in was a Woodie, considered a novelty by my friends. They fought over who would sit in the back seat loft. The station wagon had wood trim exterior. I was embarrassed to be seen in this run down, 1940's car. It ran well & that is the best my parents could afford.

Nowadays they are collectors items & many more styles can be viewed @woodiesusa.com. I'm not sure the make & model we had. If ours was classy, shiny & souped up back then, we would have valued it more.

After getting a job at Kennecott Copper with its steady income, we moved up from the jalopy rung of life. Exciting was the day our dad drove home, in a new silver blue 1959 sleek wagon. Its tail fin lights, chrome grill and automatic windows were state of the art. Even if Mom was just driving to the neighbors, we all climbed in for a ride. How we loved going on trips or just around town in the spacious, house boat of a vehicle. A small miracle for the Crane's to own a car that was less than five years old.

Sad was the 22nd of November 1963, the day after President Kennedy was shot. Normally riding in a carpool leaving at 2pm, Dad drove alone to work instead. On the way he was broadsided by some teenage girls running a stop sign at about 4800 West 11800 South. I remember it well, when he came through the front door a few hours later injured & bleeding telling us the news. One girl, Karen Hatfield of West Jordan was killed. The other one, Margie of Copperton had severe head injuries that kept her out of school healing for 6 months or more. Broken ribs, bruises & cuts was what father sustained. Our beloved car was totaled.

Needless to say we pulled out & repaired our oldie but goodie Woodie of a clunker. What a blessing & tender mercy from the Lord for protecting Dad from serious harm.