Eugene Leroy Midgley was born December 11, 1930 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the oldest of five children born to Eugene Thurgood and Gertrude Vandersteen Midgley. He was born on Elm Street (not the reason he has the initials E.L.M., though) and grew up on Alden Street, in the Sugar House area of Salt Lake City with his parents, sisters Lois Ann and Dixie Rae and his brothers Duane Van and Norman Van. When he was a very young boy, he received a teddy bear that became his constant companion. His aunt nicknamed him Teddie, and, to this day, everyone who knows him calls him Ted.

Norma Marylyn Jackson was born June 9, 1932 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the oldest daughter born to Floyd Clegg and Norma Sessions Jackson. She grew up on Alden Street, in the Sugar House area of Salt Lake City with her parents and her younger sister, Karen Kay. Marylyn loved butter as a young girl. Her mother would put a cube of butter on the table for dinner and by the time she could place the rest of the meal on the table, the entire cube of butter was gone. All she had to do was find Marylyn and she would find the butter, half eaten, by then.

At the tender age of seven, Ted and Marylyn met and became fast friends. They grew up together, attended school together at Highland Park Elementary, Irving Junior and South High Schools. Ted began working with his father in the painting and decorating field at the age of 12 and it provided him and his family with a comfortable home, food and all the other items necessary in today's world.

Both Ted and Marylyn were raised as devout members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and attended church together each week. After high school graduation, Ted was called by the church to serve in the Spanish-American Mission, and spent 2 years in Texas and Mexico teaching others about the Mormon Church. During the time he was gone, she patiently awaited his return. He finally got home and on July 2, 1953, Eugene Leroy "Ted Midgley and Norma Marylyn Jackson were united in marriage for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.





Shortly afterwards, Ted was invited by Uncle Sam to serve our country in the US Army, so off he went again, but, by that time, his beloved Marylyn was expecting their first child. Ted went to boot camp, but, because it was peacetime and his wife was expecting, Uncle Sam released Ted from his tour of duty and he was able to return home to his precious bride.

Soon, their union was blessed by the birth of a son, and it is at this point that I will no longer call them Ted and Marylyn. I am privileged to now call them Mom and Dad. My name is Glenn Eugene and I was followed by Teri Lynn, Melonie, Mark Jackson, Kelly Ann, Michael Scott and Brian Dean.

Their lives were filled with the usual "young parent" things, and they diligently made sure to instill values, morals and ethics in each of us, by both their examples and their teachings. We were taught the value of honesty, compassion and hard work. Our family grew to know love, dedication to each other, our friends and our faith. Dad continued working hard and became the finest painter, wall covering installer and craftsman in the entire area. Perhaps this statement seems biased, but, I believe it to be true. He worked in the Salt Lake, Idaho Falls, and Chicago LDS Temples, providing skill and beauty to those who enjoyed seeing his work. Mom and Dad have both served in numerous callings in the church and each time have poured their heart and soul into it, thus causing many to benefit from their dedication.

Each of us have become successful, honest members of society, and it is because of the teachings we grew up with. After the children left home, Dad and Mom were given a very special calling by the church. They were sent to Nauvoo, Illinois to assist in the building of the new temple there. Mom worked in the Land and Records Department and in the Library, Dad worked on painting the many windows that were to be installed. Their time in Nauvoo enriched their lives immensely. They made many new friends and the environment was so calming and enjoyable. Mom grew to love the red cardinals (I wonder if it is because she loves red anything) and they loved all of the little critters that inhabited their surroundings, such as raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, foxes and others. They participated in the plays and events that were staged for visitors to the town of Nauvoo. Dad plays the harmonica and loved teaching others to play. He taught a harmonica class and, after others learned to play, they would hold concerts and his group of musicians would entertain the visitors.

Dad grows and loves roses. He tells me his favorite is an apricot colored one. Mom has always loved red and, wanted a red haired child. When she didn't get one, she dyed her own hair red for many years.

Today, they are the proud patriarch and matriarch of an awesome family. They have seven children, 23 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Each one of us knows how much we are loved. I am grateful to be their son and part of this beautiful family. Thank you, dear Mom and Dad, for the lessons of faith, devotion, hard work, dedication, and love that you instilled in me and in my sisters and brothers. We promise to pass them on to our children and grandchildren. You will be cherished forever.