Both Grandpa Webb and Grandpa Jones pased away this year. though their health was failing, it still hurt to see them go. We have many fond memories of both grandpas. This photo was taken at Grandpa Webb's funeral. Back row: Julie, Kingston, Chez, Jenn, Tyler, Garrett. front Row: Chris, Giryen, Janet, Tayson, K.C., Brecken. The following is a poem written at the 50th anniversary of the Webb's and read again at Charles' funeral. It is followed by a second poem written at the time of Charles' passing.
50 Years
Janet and Charles
Fifty years is quite a while for two to stay together.
It only works if those two folks are birds of just one feather.
Those fifty years, they start out great; ‘til the honeymoon is over.
Then those love birds have to work to keep their bed of clover.
Well, Red and Janet took those vows some fifty years ago;
and we’re gathered here this special night to let that couple know;
that their whole family’s super proud, as proud as proud can be.
that they’ve stayed together all these years, fifty – just can’t be.
As a child Charles’ bright red hair earned him the nickname ‘Red’.
From the Cowboy State just north of here it often could be said,
that Charlie could fix most anything electrical or other.
That’s what he’s done for everyone; his kids, his wife, his mother.
Evanston was his place of birth, but he moved to big Salk Lake.
After schoolin’ at old South High, with the Navy he took a break.
The Pacific islands are where he fought to ensure our precious rights.
Medals of courage prove that Charles - kept the enemy in his sights.
It wasn’t long after his return that a lovely girl from Utah
set her sights on the man called Red. He was so much like her pa.
Betty Janet Sanford was this tall blonde’s maiden name.
Flutter, flutter, head over heals, she fell for Charlie’s game.
Janet was raised in a tiny house near the park named ‘Liberty’;
the same house where her dad was raised, they climbed the same big tree.
“Prince Charles,” she was heard to say, “will one day be my man.”
More than fifty years ago today, she made herself a plan.
The plan it worked, and here we are – the family of that pair.
Who’d have thought a cleaner’s trip would catch Red in her snare.
It was November 1946 when the marriage, it took place.
Since then this very couple has tried to set the pace.
Janet and Chatrles found a home, up north a little way.
It was there that Carolyn was born just after Christmas Day.
The first of four very pretty girls whose names all start with ‘C’.
Christine, Charlene, and Catherine they named the other three.
With Truman still the president they bought a home on Blair.
To a house that once was small and quaint, they’ve added quite a flair;
‘cuz Charles is a carpenter and Janet has ideas’
About bedrooms, decks, and shutters; flowers, shrubs and trees.
Janet worked at Zesto’s and Sears to keep food upon the fire.
Mountain Bell kept Red well paid until the day he could retire.
This couple traveled all over the states. It’s what they do for fun.
They especially like Hawaii, but go anywhere there’s sun.
There’s lots and lots of memories of these past fifty years;
the good times and the bad times, the laughter and the tears.
But neither Janet nor the man named Red are lookin’ for a trade.
‘cuz the sands of time have brought them close. They know they have it made.
Since the 50th
That party took place twelve years ago and much has changed since then.
The years have aged the Webb’s a bit, they’ve been forced to -- “remember when?” There have been many peaceful, quiet days and a few long hospital nights.
Janet acquired a new hip and knee and cancer made Charles fight.
But the cancer couldn’t get him, though the treatment nearly did.
And though his heart and lungs were old, those symptoms he kept hid.
It was age that took dear Charles away. The fate he couldn’t hide.
He died last Friday afternoon with family near his side.
But he left us a volume of stories and a legacy to cherish.
and though he’s physically left our sight, his memory won’t soon perish.
We’ll always remember the man who cared more - for others than for self;
the man who kept a tidy shop, every tool had a place on the shelf.
He loved to play games with the words we would speak.
With him watch your sentences close.
When the nurse asked to take his blood pressure, he quipped,
“Just where in the world will you take it?”
Fall has finally come to the Valley of the Snake. It seems so late this year. We just barely picked our apples - two weeks later than normal. The quakies in the front yard are just barely turning yellow and are just dropping their leaves. The fire bush is still purple instead of red. The scarecrow is still smiling and if you look real close, you will notice that the pumpkin from our garden is still bright green. What is going on here? Late fall, that's all. Also notice that we have a store-bought scarecrow. Mom is changing. Enjoy the seasons. 
