Carl About Chris
As another birthday approaches and my “Old Man” status is no longer in doubt, I’ve been reflecting on our childhood on
Utah Ave.
and the family members who influenced my life. Among my earliest recollections are the fond memories I have of going with Chris on his paper route. I would ride on the back of his bike and he would throw the papers. Sometimes he would collect for the paper then stop at the malt shop on Garvey and Mtn View Rd, near 5 points, and he would stop and buy me a malt. By the time I was about nine years old Chris had graduated from high school and joined the navy. He spent three plus years aboard the USS Newport News, a heavy cruiser. (A cruiser whose main purpose is to protect a battleship has less armor and therefore travels faster.) I remember waiting for him to come home on leave. I was particularly excited because Ralph and I had gotten new pellet guns and I was anxious to show him my gun.
When Christ got out of the Navy he bought himself a green two-tone 1951 Mercury. Thus began the tutoring Ralph and I received from him. Chris took us to the Olympic trials at the L.A. Coliseum. We saw Charlie Dumas set a new world record in the high jump at 7 ft. using the western roll. Chris was like a second father to us. He faithfully came to our track meets and basketball games. He even filmed many of our athletic events. He organized and coached the ward basketball team. Chris’s day job at this point in time happened to be assistant pro at the Montebello Golf Course where he had access to all of the latest styles. He decided we should wear suits and fedoras when we went to a game. We were something to look at as we entered the various gyms. It was those hats that gave us the feeling that we were something special. We played pretty well also. There were several team members who had played for the high school team and were now playing for El Monte ward. We expected to go to the all-church tournament in Salt Lake City . The fly in the ointment was Ken Hubbs. He played for Colton ward and had signed with the Chicago Cubs. Colton beat us, then Hubbs had to go to spring training in Chicago . That was the end of Colton ’s winning streak.
Chris also introduced us to golf, teaching us not only how to play but the proper etiquette and attitude toward the game. He influenced us to be B.Y.U. fans. I became so intent on going To BYU that I turned down an athletic scholarship to Citrus J.C. in favor of walking on BYU’s track team.
Pop was called to be bishop in 1956 and served until 1965. This was before the church had come to the realization that no church calling should take precedence over one’s family obligations; When he wasn’t at work he was off “making his calls” and ministering to the ward members. As a result we spent much of our youth bereft of his influence. Fortunately, Chris was there for the rescue. He was in the trenches with us directing traffic and keeping us on the narrow path. He was always there for help and support when we needed it. He became our Paterfamilias and stamped us with his brand of honor and integrity and pointed the direction we should go. When Chris got married his responsibilities changed but the feeling of goodwill and self-confidence he engendered remained and to this day serves as a beacon in the night. For the influence for good and the help he gave I thank him. Love, Carl
