Dearest Dad!!!
Some of your kids wrote you letters about some of the fondest memories they have with you as their father!!! We love you. Happy Father's Day. Enjoy reading these special notes.
From your sweet wife
Sharry Lynn
One of the things that I most admire about Lee is the fact that no matter
what he is willing to be of service:
He is always willing to move people and their possessions wherever they
need or want to be
He was willing to plant and tend a huge garden when asked
He is always willing even to this day help with wood projects that are
needed in the ward.
He is always willing to cut, mow, cut down trees, spray weeds ( poison oak)
that no one else is willing to go near, help with watering to keep things green
and nice.
His willingness to go out of his way to help people in need. Even if it may
be people who don’t particularly care for him.
I don’t think I can remember a time when he has been asked to help and he
has turned it down, even now.
From Deirdre Lynn
I love the outdoors and ALL things adventurous. Some of my fondest memories of dad and memories I am really grateful for, are him exposing me to the great outdoors! He taught me how to ski SUNDANCE. I grew up skiing and loved being on the mountain. We would ALWAYS stop at the gas station and pick up our favorite drink and candy bar. He would tell me to tuck the candy bar away in my coat and eat it when I got hungry. I still love to ski!!! He taught me how to water ski and jet ski UTAH LAKE. I loved going to the lake. We would ALWAYS stop at the gas station and pick up licorice, soda, pork rhines, jerky and anything else we wanted. I now go boating with my children. I love the water. I love to ski, wakeboard, scuba dive and kayak. This love for the water came from my father! He taught my how to snowmobile and taught me how to ride my first 3
wheeler and took my on my first Motorcycle ride!! Oh how I love riding behind BIG machines, fast machines!!! I
loved riding with him. I thought he was the coolest dad ever for being
so daring and brave. I cannot wait to teach my own kids to RIDE. He
taught me to be daring and brave. He was the one who taught me to
snorkel in Hawaii. Little did he know that would lead to my love of
Scuba Diving and a love for the ocean!! I jumped out of an airplane and
went scuba diving with sharks because of what he taught me, "You can do
anything! Don't be scared. Be courageous and brave!!" From Deirdre Lynn
He taught me to love people and places. He would always say, "it is YOU that makes the place. You can be HAPPY anywhere." He took me to see the WORLD - so I thought, back when I was young. Oh all the places we traveled, those long, quite entertaining road trips!!! He made sure we were happy and comfortable in our MINI Van with those old copied VHS tapes (he copied just for us so we wouldn't be bored), cassette tapes to sing along with the old classics (and he would sing right along)! He took out the seats and put in a small TV and VCR. It was on those long car rides we heard the wildest, crazy stories about all the wonderful adventures dad experienced. He kept us entertained from wild rodeo bull rides, to wild bob, to prudo bay, to mining gold, to his adventures all over the world (eating with eskimos, eating interesting foods in china, india etc), riding his motorcycle with peppy the monkey, his crazy wild crashes and survivals, his days taking care of the ranch in Canada, riding horses, and of course BIG FOOT. One road trip we took together was when I was pregnant with Jaida. I was super sick. He drove me from Oregon to Utah and we talked the entire way. He can talk and kept me entertained for 17 hours +!!! He took me to national monuments, to national parks, to disney world, disney land, the beach, his homeland Canada, so many places to count!!! He filled my life with wonder and knowledge and a love for this great land we live in. I still love to travel and explore. My love of road trips and travel came from him.
Other fond memories of dad include him being there for me, when he could. He would do anything for me. He made it to most of my sporting events. If I called and was stranded, needed money, advice, help or assistance he was there. He took me to college in Hawaii, got me all settled and comfortable. He shipped a car over there for me. He let me take whatever I wanted and paid for it all!! He wanted me to be comfortable and happy. He was there when I graduated college and supported my love for education! He was always encouraging me to finish because he always wished he would have!
My love of seafood came from my dad!!! I loved when he would take me to Long John Silver's. I thought I was being spoiled, until he finally took me to get REAL seafood, in San Diego. I felt spoiled! Crab, Lobster, Fish, Sardines, Clams (he never converted me to Oysters) but did a good job with everything else! . . . YUM!!
Watching him play piano with one good hand and one hand that didn't work so good always amazed me. He would use one finger on his right hand and poked at those keys on the top register of the piano. I would watch in amazement at how well he played and sang. He taught me to love and appreciate music.
Some of my fondest memories are of him teaching me to work!! He is one of the hardest workers I know and HE LOVES IT. Whether it is was fixing things, cleaning things, taking care of things, mowing the lawn, taking care of horses, cars etc. He has always taught me to be safe and to take care of the things you own and love so they last longer. He was the one that taught me that DUCK TAPE CAN FIX just about anything and still uses it to this day!
He taught me about Jesus, about the Book of Mormon and about tithing. Some of my fondest memories are of him teaching me in Family Home Evening. One of those times he brought home a bunch of Book of Mormons and let us draw pictures in those books. I couldn't believe he was going to be okay with us drawing in those special books. When he told me the story of Nephi, he let me draw a ship!! So cool. The sciptures came to life for me. I have a testimony of Jesus Christ, The Book of Mormon and Tithing because of my father.
Ashton loves his grandpa! He knows when he goes to visit grandpa, that grandpa will sit out on the driveway and play for hours running toy cars down the driveway. He got a kick out of that and thought it was so cool. He still talks about it!
I hope to see you more so Jaida, Melia and Leilani can get to know their grandpa better and create fun memories with their adventurous grandpa!
I love you dad!!
From Andrew
One of my most favorite memories of Lee was the first time I went to California with Dre before we were married. I can't remember exactly if it was when Lee was driving me to the Vista house from Long Beach or if it was standing there with him in that little living room in the Vista home. Either way, I remember the memory well......It was when he told me of his hospital experience with his arm. I don't remember all the details of the story, but I do remember well how hard he made me laugh....genuinely true hard core, deep in the belly, hurts a lot laughter. I am very grateful to Lee for this gift he has to make people laugh. Laughter is a wonderful medicine and heals the heart and soul. Lee thank you for this. I love you! Happy Father's Day, Andrew.
From David Thomas
My fondest memories of dad:
- wrestling with him on the floor
- going snowmobiling with dad
-
going to the lake with dad on the yellow boat and stopping at the local
gas store and getting a bunch of goodies- pork skins, licorice,
sunflower seeds, soda.
- I remember when I threw a rock
through the window of his old jeep and I thought he was going to kill
me. Mom told me I had to go tell him. I will never forget how patient
and forgiving he was. He just walked me outside, had me explain what
happened and basically said well u learned your lesson didnt u?
- I remember him spending all summer building me a tree house that later became a refuge from Stacey's onslaughts
-
I remember the summer I broke my arm he bought me a remote control car
that was top of the line and he spent hours helping me build it. I also
remember what a punk I was and told him all that I wanted was a Nintendo
and he didn't even get mad he just took me to the store and bought me
one in addition to the remote control car.
- I remember him coming home from long trips and always having gifts for us.
- I remember him watching football games with me on Sunday nights.
-
I remember him taking me to see the movie Rad and then afterwards
taking me to the nicest BMX bike shop and letting me pick out the most
expensive BMX bike in the shop, knowing full well I would never use that
bike for what it was potential really was
- I remember him
taking me and stace to a raiders football game in Los Angeles and
pointing out to me all the players like Todd Christensen.
- I
remember him taking me to Hawaii to drop me off for school and taking
me all around and showing me all of the sights and leaving me in my dorm
all alone as he drove away crying.
- I remember the endless road trips and him sitting in the back of the van with all of us kids and laughing and having fun.
-
I remember him getting out of the car and jogging with all of us kids
on a long road trip to Canada I think it was when mom was about to lose
her mind after being stuck in a minivan with 5 crazy kids for hours on
end.
- I remember the long conversations I would have with
him about the importance of education and how he always wished he would
have finished.
- I remember him telling me how proud he was of me when I went on my mission and after I graduated from BYU and law school.
- I remember him taking us to arctic circle for burgers and fries.
- I remember going for rides behind his chopper motorcycles with Peppy the monkey on the back.
-
I remember him coming into my room the night before he left for prison
and telling me how much he loves me and he needed to go away awhile and I
needed to take care of mom and my sisters and to be a big boy.
- I remember going to NY with him and to Alaska with him and him showing me all around and taking me to a broadway show in NY.
-
I remember the three wheeler rides up in the canyon and the picknicks
in Provo canyon and putting watermelon in the river and eating it ice
cold.
- I remember calling him endless times about how to fix the many cars he allowed me to drive and he always had an answer.
- I could go on and on but I don't want the rest of u to feel jealous- JK
Seriously
dad thanks for all of the many memories and things u have taught me. I
love u dad and I only hope I can give my kids the same memories u have
given to me over the years. Hope u have a great fathers day and may we
have many more memories to come. I know my kids have already started
their own memories of their fun grandpa. Love u dad.
From Kimber
Some of my favorite memories of dad is watching him interact with my kids. I totally remember him laying down on our carpet and playing with Tyler when she was only about 3 months old. And i have a vivid memory of him sitting on our lounge chair with Tyler and Madix sitting on each side of him just laughing their heads off as grandpa was reading them a book. He is such a great Grandpa!" WE LOVE YOU!" Kimber, Dave, Ty, Mads, & Tayte
From Stacey James
what i love about my dad,
YOUR SON STACEY
From Kimber
Some of my favorite memories of dad is watching him interact with my kids. I totally remember him laying down on our carpet and playing with Tyler when she was only about 3 months old. And i have a vivid memory of him sitting on our lounge chair with Tyler and Madix sitting on each side of him just laughing their heads off as grandpa was reading them a book. He is such a great Grandpa!" WE LOVE YOU!" Kimber, Dave, Ty, Mads, & Tayte
From Amanda Noel
Happy Father's Day Dad!
A few of my fondest memories and moments of gratitude:
1)
All of the times you packed up my things and DROVE a U-haul cross
country to move me to a new location, ONCE AGAIN. You never complained
about it, not one time (although you have gotten a kick out of my
claimed to be "inspiration based" moves).
2) For helping me with finances I couldn't quite meet on my own— from cars, to help with schooling, moving, etc.
3) For all of the nice, thoughtful birthday cards you would send and the things you would write in those cards.
4) For the flowers you would buy for us on Valentine's Day.
5) For all of the letters you wrote to me as a child when you were away.
6)
All of the adventures you would take us on—road trips across country
(filling us in on every historical monument or area of significance),
theme parks, water parks, skiing, snowmobiling, tubbing, sledding,
McDonald's luncheons, Sizzler dinners (yes even those were an
"adventure" seeing you would some times stand on the table and break out
in song).
7) The cheerleading/footballs game you would come support me in.
8) AND all of the moments in between that were filled with words of support, comfort, concern, and love.
Thanks for being a dad I could call on! Love you!!
From Jennifer Ann
Tribute to dad!
Dearest Father of mine,
I have been thinking all week what I would like to write to you. At first I came up with a silly little poem but thought better of it because I wanted something more meaningful and substantial. Well the more I thought about it this is what I have come up with, my "silly little poem" but with more thought and meaning.
What my F A T H E R means to me
F - F is for Faith. Dad you have been such a great example and teacher of faith. I have loved watching and learning from you what it means to have faith. It has strengthened my own faith and has helped me to rely and trust in the Lord. Thank you for this gift that I will treasure always.
A - A is for Ability. Ability to forgive. Ability to not judge. Ability to carry on and endure. Ability to hope and never give up. Ability to overcome. Ability to be and do so many things for so many people. Ability to laugh. Ability to accept others. You are always so willing and able to help out all whenever you can. I love these things about you.
T- T is for Teacher of course!! You have been one of the greatest teachers in my life. I have learned so much from you in so many ways. I remember as a kid all the wonderful Family Home Evenings that you would come up with to make it not only fun, but a fun way to learn. I loved how you would have us draw fun little pictures in our Books of Mormon when it pertained to a particular story. I know that this is one of the many reasons why I love the Book of Mormon so much. I loved the "Lehi's dream/iron rod" activity that we did as kids. It was not just the religious things that you would teach, but you have loved sharing ALL knowledge that you would have. History, people, places etc. You made learning fun and interesting and still do!
H- H is for Heart. You have one of the biggest hearts I know. You go way out of your way to love and accept all who come into contact with you. You are generous and kind. You have taught me how to love.
E - E can be for so many things. First I thought of was ear. A good listening ear, whenever I have had a difficult problem or just needed to get somethings off my chest you have been there to listen to all I have had to say. E is for energy. I thought of this, because though I know you would love to just take it easy you have always had the energy to come over and help out with my massive yard. Killing weeds, Killing trees, Killing poison oak. Killing or relocating pests. Playing with my dog. Helping with the garden . You also take care of your property and all of Stacey's. How many times have you helped move your kids around the country?? Now I would say that is energy. E is for enduring. You have endured many trials and challenges with patience and faith.
R- R is for remember. I remember all the wonderful memories and moments that you have gone way out of your way to create for us kids growing up. Helping us to remember what is truly important in this life and that if we hold true to those things the great blessing that will come to us in the next. Reminding me to remember my loved ones present and past. Remembering our ancestors, where we come from/who we are because of them. Remembering all the great stories true/fantasy (Cindy, Mindy, and Lindy)/Big Fish. :) Remembering to Love, Cherish, Forgive and be open to change. Part of remember I think is your MEMORY. I have always been in awe of that wonderful memory of yours. I know it mostly comes because of your love for learning.
"A Fathers calling is eternal, and its importance transcends time. It is a calling for both time and eternity."
- Ezra Taft Benson
Dad I love you so much and am grateful for all you have given to me. You truly are a great and wonderful father in my eyes. Happy Fathers day.
All my love forever and always
Your Jenny Penny Pooh Bear.
From James
Many of my role models are people that I've admired because of their publicly laudable achievements -- such as inventing the iPhone, or writing and directing "Pirates of the Carribean", or devoting one's lifetime to that unpopular cause that ultimately abolished the slave trade.
But few are the role models in whom I feel that I have a cosmic destiny to try to emulate. These few I would emulate and emulate -- ever attempting to make their example my teacher.
Included in this short list is one Lee Eastman, my beloved father-in-law.
Ever since I had first met Lee -- in 1999, soon after I had first met my wife-to-be -- I have witnessed innumerable occasions in which some one or some few were made more at ease and more included entirely by the inner force of Lee's one-man party. To watch this man single-handedly forge relationships out of thin air -- and not just for some momentary fancy, but rather to hold every passing acquaintance on the level of an abiding friendship -- is remarkable and awe-inspiring.
Here is just a tiny sample of my observations. The past few Summers, when Jennifer and I have been host to one or two Chinese foreign exchange students, Lee has been the consummate ambassador for the U.S. -- keeping the chinese girls entertained for hours, severe language barriers notwithstanding. In the final years of grandpa Howard's life, when his body and mind both suffered from long, gradual decay, Lee had personal and exciting news to share with Howard -- every visit, every week, without fail. Any time his phone rings, no matter how busy or involved Lee is in his own work, when the caller wants to share a tale of woe, and wants to share the extended 3-hour version of the tale, Lee invariably sets his work aside and gives his undivided, interested attention to that caller.
Moreover, on multiple occasions, when insecurity was overtaking me, I have been the unwitting recipient of Lee's heartwarming embraces. I am richly blessed that Lee has extended his signature friendship to me personally -- oft and unabated.
From Jennifer Ann
Tribute to dad!
Dearest Father of mine,
I have been thinking all week what I would like to write to you. At first I came up with a silly little poem but thought better of it because I wanted something more meaningful and substantial. Well the more I thought about it this is what I have come up with, my "silly little poem" but with more thought and meaning.
What my F A T H E R means to me
F - F is for Faith. Dad you have been such a great example and teacher of faith. I have loved watching and learning from you what it means to have faith. It has strengthened my own faith and has helped me to rely and trust in the Lord. Thank you for this gift that I will treasure always.
A - A is for Ability. Ability to forgive. Ability to not judge. Ability to carry on and endure. Ability to hope and never give up. Ability to overcome. Ability to be and do so many things for so many people. Ability to laugh. Ability to accept others. You are always so willing and able to help out all whenever you can. I love these things about you.
T- T is for Teacher of course!! You have been one of the greatest teachers in my life. I have learned so much from you in so many ways. I remember as a kid all the wonderful Family Home Evenings that you would come up with to make it not only fun, but a fun way to learn. I loved how you would have us draw fun little pictures in our Books of Mormon when it pertained to a particular story. I know that this is one of the many reasons why I love the Book of Mormon so much. I loved the "Lehi's dream/iron rod" activity that we did as kids. It was not just the religious things that you would teach, but you have loved sharing ALL knowledge that you would have. History, people, places etc. You made learning fun and interesting and still do!
H- H is for Heart. You have one of the biggest hearts I know. You go way out of your way to love and accept all who come into contact with you. You are generous and kind. You have taught me how to love.
E - E can be for so many things. First I thought of was ear. A good listening ear, whenever I have had a difficult problem or just needed to get somethings off my chest you have been there to listen to all I have had to say. E is for energy. I thought of this, because though I know you would love to just take it easy you have always had the energy to come over and help out with my massive yard. Killing weeds, Killing trees, Killing poison oak. Killing or relocating pests. Playing with my dog. Helping with the garden . You also take care of your property and all of Stacey's. How many times have you helped move your kids around the country?? Now I would say that is energy. E is for enduring. You have endured many trials and challenges with patience and faith.
R- R is for remember. I remember all the wonderful memories and moments that you have gone way out of your way to create for us kids growing up. Helping us to remember what is truly important in this life and that if we hold true to those things the great blessing that will come to us in the next. Reminding me to remember my loved ones present and past. Remembering our ancestors, where we come from/who we are because of them. Remembering all the great stories true/fantasy (Cindy, Mindy, and Lindy)/Big Fish. :) Remembering to Love, Cherish, Forgive and be open to change. Part of remember I think is your MEMORY. I have always been in awe of that wonderful memory of yours. I know it mostly comes because of your love for learning.
"A Fathers calling is eternal, and its importance transcends time. It is a calling for both time and eternity."
- Ezra Taft Benson
Dad I love you so much and am grateful for all you have given to me. You truly are a great and wonderful father in my eyes. Happy Fathers day.
All my love forever and always
Your Jenny Penny Pooh Bear.
From James
Many of my role models are people that I've admired because of their publicly laudable achievements -- such as inventing the iPhone, or writing and directing "Pirates of the Carribean", or devoting one's lifetime to that unpopular cause that ultimately abolished the slave trade.
But few are the role models in whom I feel that I have a cosmic destiny to try to emulate. These few I would emulate and emulate -- ever attempting to make their example my teacher.
Included in this short list is one Lee Eastman, my beloved father-in-law.
Ever since I had first met Lee -- in 1999, soon after I had first met my wife-to-be -- I have witnessed innumerable occasions in which some one or some few were made more at ease and more included entirely by the inner force of Lee's one-man party. To watch this man single-handedly forge relationships out of thin air -- and not just for some momentary fancy, but rather to hold every passing acquaintance on the level of an abiding friendship -- is remarkable and awe-inspiring.
Here is just a tiny sample of my observations. The past few Summers, when Jennifer and I have been host to one or two Chinese foreign exchange students, Lee has been the consummate ambassador for the U.S. -- keeping the chinese girls entertained for hours, severe language barriers notwithstanding. In the final years of grandpa Howard's life, when his body and mind both suffered from long, gradual decay, Lee had personal and exciting news to share with Howard -- every visit, every week, without fail. Any time his phone rings, no matter how busy or involved Lee is in his own work, when the caller wants to share a tale of woe, and wants to share the extended 3-hour version of the tale, Lee invariably sets his work aside and gives his undivided, interested attention to that caller.
Moreover, on multiple occasions, when insecurity was overtaking me, I have been the unwitting recipient of Lee's heartwarming embraces. I am richly blessed that Lee has extended his signature friendship to me personally -- oft and unabated.
From Stacey James
what i love about my dad,
his charity and big big heart! for i know
none like it! CHARITY!!!!!! the greatest and fondest moment with my
father, any and all involving his stories! THE STRONGEST MEMORY AND OR
EXP. OF MY FATHER IS FLYING TO THE ISLANDS AND A MOVIE TITLED "BIG FISH"
CAME ON I CRIED ..... RATHER BALLED LIKE A BABY! FOR THE FIRST TIME I
SAW AND FELT SOMETHING THAT WAS MY FATHER AND MY RELATIONSHIP with Him.
SHAYNA AND THE WHOLE PLANE THOUGHT I WAS OR RATHER SOMEONE HAD JUST
DIED. LOL. WATCH THE MOVIE AND YOU TWO MAY ALL AGREE!
LOVE YOU DAD FOREVER AND ALWAYS
