My Dad

Jerry Dale Wiltbank was born November 9, 1929, in Eager, Arizona. He spent his growing up years in Greer, Arizona. He attended grade school in Greer. He went to Round Valley High in Eager, and graduated in 1947.

He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1948. He received basic training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. He was promoted to Private First Class and then to Corporal. He served during the Korean War. He was Honorably Discharged on September 5, 1954.

My Dad attended BYU and ASU. He married my Mom on August 24, 1957.

My Dad was a school teacher. In Snowflake, he taught 4th and 5th grade. He was my 5th grade teacher. I loved being in his class. In his class, we started every morning with a Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

My Dad also drove a school bus during the school year, and he was a Volunteer Fireman. Sometimes during the summer months he worked as well. A few summers he repaired fire extinguishers. One summer he worked at Maverick. Sometimes he would do roofing.

My Dad liked to build things. He had lots of tools. He made rubber band guns, wooden train sets, and wooden tops. My Dad loved to read, he could often be found sitting reading a good book. He loved to take people to the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. He often took his grandkids there during the summer.

My Dad loved the Gospel. He loved the Bishop. Who ever the Bishop was at the time, my Dad loved and sustained him with all his heart. He taught me to never criticize the Bishop. My Dad would give me Priesthood Blessings. Whenever I was sick, I would ask for a blessing. He loved being busy with his Church Callings.

When I was little, my Dad would let me ride on his shoulders. I remember the smell of his head. Whenever I think of that smell, my eyes get misty. I remember going for walks down ‘Back Street’. He would lift me onto his shoulders. I would hold onto his forehead. I could reach the tree branches. I was so tall when I was on my Dad’s shoulders. The world looked different from up there.

My Dad was not much of a swimmer. He had a bathing suit, but we (his children) rarely saw him in it. Red and white trunks, and a red tank top. He could do the dog-paddle, but that was about it.

After I got married, I would call home just to hear his voice. When the phone conversation would come to an end, he would always cry…always. My Dad came to Canada 3 times to visit me. He came just after Brittain was born, just after Braden was born, and then a third time, just because. He came to California 3 times. Once when we lived in Roseville, and when Braden we receiving the Aaronic Priesthood, and a third time, he came for Thanksgiving.

My Dad was diagnosed with Lymphoma in July 2005. He passed away on September 15, 2005. I miss him so much.

My Dad loves my Mom.

My Dad loves me.