Take the Lead--especially when you're right!

The Last Duet -- Ottley Reunion 2008

Somehow we've been privileged to enjoy a duet from dad and mom during the last couple reunions. You'll notice they ignore the prompt and start the song (When It's Springtime in the Rocky's) with the correct words and pitch. They know their favorite songs quite well.

I'd give a nickle or two to know what tender moments they both experienced during this duet--dad smiles at someone, and mom sheds a tear or two near the end. Music has always been a part of their life--with family gathered around. It has been a way to unite us, invite good feelings and communicate our love to one another, especially since it was always wholesome and uplifting in nature. Our parents taught us well.

While I was at their home during dad's illness, mom went to the piano and played some familiar tunes. She always start a medley with "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree With Anyone Else but Me". Once after she played that tune alone, she explained that that was their song--maybe her's for him. Anyway, she continued by saying that she never loved any man like she did dad, and added, "...I could just eat him up", as she put her fingers to her lips.

Once while playing a familiar medley, she began playing a song that was very dear to me. I wondered if she knew it was a particularly tender melody for me--I sat back and enjoyed her rendition. Suddenly she broke out in tears, stopped playing and held her hands over her eyes as she wept. I went to her and ask what the matter was, "it reminds me of Jeremy", she said. The song was, "For Baby, For Bobby".

Anyway, music mellows us and helps us recall special and tender moments. I find myself humming or singing parts of "Little Green Valley" and "How Great Thou Art" lately. They were especially touching to me during dad's funeral, and have always been tags of good family associations for me. I have always enjoyed singing with my dad, brother and sisters, while mom played the piano in her classy, smooth manner.

E. Quentin OTTLEY 1920-2009

Dad passed away April 10th, 2009, in the Utah Valley Medical Center surrounded by his family. After his surgery in the Mountain View Hospital, in Payson, on February 6th, 2009, he temporarily passed from this life on that night as he entered ICU. The nursing staff were anxiously engaged in returning to their work when we were admitted into the room, and the nurse said, "we lost him for awhile, but he recovered on his own". We later asked him why he returned after leaving us, but he did not have any pre-determined purpose. We felt this was our opportunity for a renewed season of love and service by his family. Below is a photo in his home on February 28th, 2009, the morning after he was released from the hospital in Payson--

His only goal upon being released from the hospital in Payson, was to sit on his porch. While bundled up and sitting on his porch he noticed some ruts at the end of the front side walk and said, "If I had a shovel I'd fill-in those ruts". He longed to be busy in his yard again, but I thought it best that he watch me work instead. A while later he noticed some tumble weeds caught in the island of trees and bushes on the southeast corner of the lot; many projects were surfacing, but it was not the design of the Lord that he continue in mortality.

He would often say during his stay in the hospital, "I love my family", and on other occasions, at the end of visits, "we must pray to the Lord", and even through the discomfort and distress he suffered in the hospital, he would testify, "His love is bounteous". A few months prior, at his 88th birthday celebration, he had reminded his family that they are wonderful -- enjoy the video and remember his message, which was expressed many times and ways during his stay in the hospital.



He leaves behind his sweetheart, who will miss him and long to hear his voice--today is their 62nd wedding anniversary. After dad's death, she said, "I have never loved a man more than I loved your dad; I could have just eaten him up". While she longs for his companionship, there is much to be done. As you may recall at the funeral, dad was reminded that mother will most likely call upon her children and grandchildren for assistance to rearrange the castle and chariots and lands and possessions over time. Our dad has left behind for our remembrance his character and words and deeds of goodness as a legacy for us to cherish.

Following are a few photos of scenes at the viewing and funeral on the 13th and 14th of April --

We love you and miss you already, dad, but know you have the peace that you so much desired during your final hours in mortality. God be with you until we meet again.