No Such Thing as the ‘Good Old Days’
My father’s name was Jack J. Davis. He was my hero as a child and he is my hero as an adult.
We were fortunate enough to have both my father and mother live with us the last few years of their life, and my wife, Colleen, was their caregiver.
My mother passed away after suffering with Alzheimer’s for many years and my father passed away from congestive heart failure.
They passed three years apart, but in the same bedroom.
While they are gone from my life, they still stop by to visit, especially my dad.
He stopped by to talk again a few nights ago. I wished he didn’t do that at 3 a.m., but he did, like he always does.
He reminded me of conversations in the past.
Below is a bit of a summary of what the old man tried to pound through my head.
Before he died, I used to catch him sitting on the couch, staring off into space with a bemused look on his face.
One evening, I asked him if he was remembering the “good old days” and he smirked. Dad had a way with a smirk.
He said “No. There’s no such thing as the good old days.”
When Dad was born, things were a bit different than they are now. He didn’t grow up with the comforts we take for granted. He plowed the fields of the family farm with a team of mules and performed his daily constitutionals in an out-house. He tasted his first hamburger when he was a teenager.
When I asked him about his trip down memory lane, he said it wasn’t the good old days and then explained to me why while he sat on the couch with the TV paused.
“We’ve gone from plowing a field with a mule and plow to walking on the moon. I’m eating a bowl of popcorn that took a couple of minutes in the microwave to cook.
I can sit right here and change the channel on the TV (a TV big enough to crawl into) with a clicker. A car back in the “good old days” that had 100,000 miles was spent out, and today it’s only a third of the way.
“When we went on a trip, if we didn’t know the way, we were lost without a map. Today, you just get on your phone and the Google lady will tell you how to get there.
“We took you kids to the doctor when something was broken beyond our repair, and there wasn’t much beyond our repair.
“Now, if I want to know what’s going on with my kids or grand kids, all you have to do is get on your Spacebook (that’s what he called it) and I know how they’re doing.”
Dad explained to me that while he had fond memories of the past, he wouldn’t go back to them for anything. It was just the past, something nice to think about, but not something he wanted to repeat.
“The good old days are today,” he told me before he left, and I’ve learned enough not to argue with him.
To the good old days. Thanks, Dad.
where they married in the Los Angeles Temple on June 20, 1970, and were married for over 51 years. Norman and Jessica moved to Orem in 1973, where they had three “especially assigned” children, Corey, Nathan, and Lacey. Norman was a very creative mind, where he and Jessica raised their children in a unique home he designed, dubbed “The Round House”. The Cluff home was filled with love, parties (especially the Christmas Eve party Norm couldn’t wait to host each year), visitors, music, and many memories we all cherish.
He enjoyed all things outdoors, but his favorite past time was fishing. He always enjoyed going to the family cabin in Fairview, where he and his family would spend time year-round enjoying fishing, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, and time by the fire telling stories. In 2000, Norm and Jessica moved to Salem, where he enjoyed each and every day walking out his back door to cast a line and fish. Some of the fondest memories with his children were having a little challenge on who could catch the first fish, which he often won. Norm also enjoyed going to the movies. If he couldn’t convince anyone in his family to go with him, he had a slew of friends that accompanied him each week to catch a show.
Norman is survived by his wife, Jessica, Corey (Micheale), Nathan,
and Lacey (Justin), 8 grandkids, Keyan (Jamie), Jacob, Josh, Kyler, Colby, Braydon, Skiley, and Mason, his sister Donna V (Bobby) Lyle, and many friends who greatly miss him already.
Preceded in death by his father Benjamin Cluff, mother Afton Pilkington, and sister Arlene Yocum and many other friends and family members whom we are assured welcomed him with open arms as he crossed through the veil.
We’d especially like to give our thanks to iCare Home Health & Hospice for the tender care they provided to him and our family in his final days.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Parkinson’s Foundation in Norm’s name.
If at times you find yourself missing him, please remember to go catch a movie, buy some popcorn, and have some fun in his memory!
Michelle Terrece Payne
Michelle Terrece Payne was 57. She went to sleep on Jan. 29 and returned peacefully to
Heaven to be with God. She was born on Nov. 20, 1964. Raised in Payson on West Mountain.
She is survived by her son Chandler, brother Kevin and stepdaddy Mel.
She was kind, caring and tried to find the good in everyone. Michelle never forgot an anniversary or
birthday. She loved calling friends and family and checking on everyone dear to her. She enjoyed true
crime mysteries and doing research.
She wanted everyone to know how much she appreciated them and loved them. Her many friends,
family and the many doctors and nurses that helped care for her. Especially the loving ladies at Spanish
Fork Hospital infusion center, Dr Tantravahi, Dr. Brian Clements, her nurse Anthony who helped her for
almost the years. last two
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Mark Calvin Babcock
Mark Babcock, our loving son, father, brother and friend to many passed away peacefully in his sleep Feb. 6, 2022, after a difficult bout with Covid. Mark was born
Oct. 4, 1963, in Salt Lake
City to Calvin and Annette Babcock. Mark was raised in Murray and spent many happy years growing up with his family and many friends.
Mark married Julie
Ahlberg and had five wonderful children together that he loved and cherished with all of his heart. Mark worked for his grandfather’s business, Les Olson Company for his entire career. After living and working in the Salt Lake area he and Julie moved their family to St. George where he was a pioneer for the company in the southern Utah area and helped bring sales and service growth to that part of the state. Mark and Julie later divorced, and Mark moved to Utah County where he helped the company grow the Managed Print Division.
Mark enjoyed traveling to new places and with his love of sports he combined many memorable trips with his family to attend BYU games and of course his LA Dodgers. He was a true and loyal fan to his teams. Mark was so fun to be around and always in the know on the latest sports developments. His genuine love of the game and people combined for a perfect combination of making friends and easy conversation. Mark’s greatest happiness was to be with his family who will miss him until they meet again.
Mark is happily reunited with his infant son Trevor Mark Babcock, who preceded him in death. Mark is survived by his children, Alexandrea Stone (Matt), Danielle Gunter (Sean), Zachary, Travis and Courtney, his parents, Calvin and Annette Babcock, sisters Leslie Stahle (Scott), Tammy Peck (Greg) and his brother Chris Babcock. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Addie, his Australian Shepherd will miss riding on the front seat of his truck with him. Mark was loved!
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Dian Mitchell
Dian Wendy, “Di” Confer, Paxton, Mitchell beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, daughter, passed away Feb. 11, 2022, in St George surrounded by her children, sister and two dogs Boog and Taz, from multiple ongoing health issues.
Di was born Oct. 21, 1950, to Wendall Jackson Confer and Mary Varela Confer in Henderson Nev. She was married to Llyod Mel Paxton April 1, 1967, and were blessed with four children, Darrell, Carol, James and Gina. They were later divorced, and she married Kevin Brady Mitchell Sept. 15, 1984, and they had one son Cody. Dian received a bonus daughter Nichole.
Di grew up on the back of a horse and passed that love onto her children. She was involved in Los Montadas, a horse club with her mother in Las Vegas. She met Llyod, married and moved to Orem. They had four children and later moved to Fairview, where she was involved in Horsemanship with Darrell and Carol. Dian and Llyod later divorced, and she married Kevin Brady Mitchell, and had one son Cody, they lived in Spanish Fork and later moved back to Fairview. They dreamed of living in Alaska and in 2002 they were finally able to move there. They later made their home in St. George.
Di loved animals, outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping and being with her family. Dian and Kevin enjoyed Bowling and competed in National Bowling Finals. She also enjoyed skeet shooting and won some competitions. She Enjoyed gardening and growing her own vegetables. She thoroughly enjoyed online shopping and QVC will dearly miss her.
Di is preceded in death by her father Jack, Mother Mary, Husband Kevin and her granddaughter Jessica. Dian is survived by her children Darrell (Cheri) Paxton, Spanish Fork. Carol (Brad) Poulson, St George. James Paxton, Alaska. Gina (Scott) Fait, St George. Cody Mitchell, St George and Nichole Hales American Fork. Sister Valerie (J.T) Armenta, Albuquerque New Mexico, 20 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren with one on the way.
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Anthony “Tony” Ronald Fuller
A devoted husband, father, uncle, brother, grandpa and friend to many. On Feb. 13, 2022, at the age of 44, Anthony Fuller went home to be with God. He left this earth peacefully, at his home with his wife and in his sleep.
He will be remembered for so many things. His love for old school cars, snap on tools, Harley Davidson probably tops it all. His loved his wife Amanda, who he liked to stay home and watch movies, go out to eat and go for long drives. Remembered will be the long talks lying in bed about what dreams they shared and what they had planned next.
On many occasions, even though he complained about family time, he enjoyed visits with his daughters and his granddaughter He enjoyed all his business adventures with both of his sons, Michael Fuller and Anthony Fuller II.
Tony spent a lot of time working and getting new businesses up and running. He never slowed down.
We take comfort and know that he is finally at rest and the chains of this world can no longer bind him to the earthly body’s we all have. He is at peace now. For all of us who remain, there will be days where we will miss the one we cared for so dearly. Those feelings are a normal part of healing and can be expected when a loved one leaves this world. With God’s help, we can all be strong and one day we will meet again in Heaven.
He will forever be missed but not forgotten by, mother, Susan Parker; father, Ronald Murray; grandmother, Susan Trethewey; sister, Summer Gomez; wife, Amanda Fuller; daughters Roxanna Fuller, Layla Fuller, Makayla Cartwright, Nevaeh Cartwright-Fuller, and son Anthony Fuller II, daughter in law Angie-Pangy, sons Michael Fuller and Jayson Cartwright; Aunt Jen Getz; Cousin, Xan Ashby, Aunt Kay Trethewey; Cousin, Paula Scarcelli; Aunt Sharon Fuller, Uncle Bob Murray, Great-Great Uncle Michael Trethewey, granddaughter Susan Jane Trethewey Fuller including many other aunts, uncles and cousins.
Proceeded in death by Great-Grandmother Corinna Fuller, Grandfather Clifford “Da” Getz, Great-Grandfather Marion, Grandfather David Fuller, Aunt Karen Fuller.
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Jonathan Stahle
Jonathon “Spencer” Stahle, our loving son, brother, uncle, nephew, and friend passed away peacefully from a long courageous battle with acute respiratory failure due to Covid 19 complications.
Spencer fought valiantly in the hospital for 31 days and then returned to his Heavenly home and into the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Feb. 17, 2022, in Murray.
Spencer was 28 years old and was born on June 8, 1993, in Murray, to Scott and Leslie Stahle.
Spencer was raised in Northern Utah but spent the latter half of his young life in Washington County. He had a happy childhood, spending his time riding bikes, jumping on the trampoline, swimming, playing basketball, soccer, and playing video games.
Spencer faithfully fulfilled a service mission called the Daily Dose Mission, where he taught English to Spanish speaking residents in the Washington County Area.
Spencer is happily reunited with his sister, Sarah Stahle, grandmother, Shirley Stahle, and Uncle Mark Babcock who preceded him in death.
He is survived by his parents, Scott and Leslie Stahle, brothers Micah (Marissa), Stephen (Brynn), sister Mikayla and niece Elaina.
He is also survived by grandparents, Calvin and Annette Babcock and R. Gail and Carol Stahle as well as many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Charmander, his bearded dragon, will miss all their walks around the neighborhood and their drives to the pet store together. Spencer loved deeply and was deeply loved by so many.
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