1991-1996 We moved to Mesa, Arizona where we bought a home on Dartmouth Street within the 49th Ward of the Salt River Stake. Judy was called to serve as Stake Nursery Leader, Roadshow Director (where she got to touch the Allred boys-two young teens with learning disabilities with parts in the play singing “Don Warry, Be Happy”. She then served a Program Director at YW girls camp and then Stake camp Director then as Counselor in the Stake YW Presidency and later as Stake YW President. Dick served as Deacons’ Quorum Advisor (including Nate) then as Counselor to Bishop Wright with Milo LaBaron as the other Counselor. When the Bishopric was released, Dick was called to serve as YM President and Priest Advisor. He was then called to the Stake High Council under President Hamula. He was later called as Bishop to the Adobe Villa Ward for about a year, when the Stake was divided and he was made Bishop of the realigned Salt River Ward, Red Mountain Stake. Judy, during this time, was released from her stake callings and served as Education Counselor to Kathy Edmunds in RS and YW Counselor to the Mia Maids.
We had many kids come in and through our home during those busy days, including Anita Dilli (who came to live with us for a school year), many friends of the kids and kids from the ward. All were usually fed and invited to join us in Family Prayer or Scripture Study or FHE when it was time. Interestingly, many youth later told us how much it touched their lives, such as Mandy Wetstein, two of DeNae’s friends from across the street who later joined the Church, Angie Sorenson, Katie Webb, Joset Julian, Joey Obarr, come to mind but there were many, many others. Our children were great examples and the wonderful Mother of the home kept order, the spirit and food around for all plus a willing ear and open heart.
1996-2005 We moved to Prescott, AZ because of Dad’s business, Community Health Centers. First we lived in the Deer Run house in the Bradshaw Ward and served as Stake Missionaries together. Brother Rodriguez was baptized and others worked with. Dick was called to serve on the High Council of President Anderson over welfare and later Missionary work.
In 2001, we sold Community Health Centers and bought a home on Peaceful Mesa in Prescott. This home was chosen in part because of the two acres of boulders and trees for kids to play in. We were then in the Copper Basin Ward with Bishop Kartchner as Bishop. Judy served in the Primary as CTR teacher. Later she served as Primary President for 2 1/2 years with Sally Nelson, ____ Kartchner as Counselors and Shirley Nelson as Secy. Lifetime friendships were born between these sisters. Many children were greatly blessed and often prayed about. When released she was Compassionate Services Leader in the RS and touched many, many lives. Dick was called as Stake Mission President and served for three years and, with Judy’s very active support, saw convert baptisms increase from a many year plateau of about 40 per to over 100 per year each of the three year and retention rate to double to over 75%. Dick was released and Judy was called to serve as the Stake Relief Society President. She took Shirley Nelson with her as her Secy. Dick was called as Priest Advisor and, two years later as HP Group Leader.
2006-Present We moved to Midway, Utah where we served as Nursery teachers, Judy was director. Dick was at first intimidated by this calling and then learned to love it while being amazed as he watched Judy produce structure and teaching for those tiny ones and work with and love not only the children, but the other teachers and their parents. It was heavenly and a very special time. After 2 years, she was called as Ward Relief Society President and Dick to teach in the Primary as a CTR 4 teacher, which he also loved. Judy was exceptional as a loving, caring, nurturing leader. After 3 years of very hard work in such a large and growing ward she and her counselors, Barbara Lee and Carma Law and Candy Croft as Secy, were released. She loved and touched the lives of hundreds many times over. She was greatly loved and treasured by her sisters. Upon her release she was called to, and now serves on, the compassionate service committee, which she sees as standing to still go out, find some extra miles to walk, pray about people, make visits and bring people together in service. Again, that’s who she is.
We have been called recently to serve as service missionaries in the Harold B. Lee Family History Center on the BYU campus one day per week as we still work to prepare ourselves financially to serve full time missions.
Judy has served as an exemplary visiting teacher, teacher and leader in so many callings, while simultaneously serving as an amazing Mother, Mother in Law, Grandmother and Wife during the past 50 years. Those blessed have been legion and innumerable.
Most grateful and blessed by Her, I am her adoring husband, fellow Parent, In Law Parent and Grandparent, Dick.