Wrinkled Thoughts

Since the Salt Lake Tribune newspaper only posts the obituary for 30 days, I decided I would duplicate it here… forever.

Hollis N. Service "Holly" 11/23/1908 ~ 8/21/2007 Beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Holly Service, passed away peacefully August 21, 2007 surrounded by his family. Holly was born November 23, 1908 to William Service and Bertha West. He was born and raised on the Avenues of Salt Lake City where he witnessed early Salt Lake history and captivated family with his stories. Married Myrtle Ruth Harvey June 24, 1931. Later solemnized in the Logan Temple. They were a loving, devoted couple for 67 years. Grandpa has been an avid Uteman since 1918 when he sold Eskimo Pies in the old Deseret Gym. Holly and Myrtle spent many hours supporting their Utah teams. He was honored to be chosen as a Utah Super Fan. A natural athlete, he started golfing at age 65 and that same year won the Granite School District Golf Tournament. He went on to score two holes-in-one in his lifetime, playing his last game three weeks before his death. Holly was a loving father who always supported his boys in whatever endeavor they wanted to pursue. He had an infectious laugh and sense of humor that he passed on to his posterity. He developed friendships with everyone he met. Holly was preceded in death by his loving wife, Myrtle, and brother, Jack. Survived by sons, Gary (Linda), Craig (Diane), eight grandchildren and 15 great-grand-children. A viewing will be held Saturday, August 25, 10:30 to 11:40 a.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. 10600 S. followed by a graveside service at 12 noon. Online condolences can be made at www.larkinmortuary.com WE WILL MISS YOU GRANDPA! 

This is just a quick post/rant about my former employer: First Magnus Financial. They abruptly closed up shop and filed for bankruptcy last week leaving MANY employees WITHOUT their last PROMISED paycheck – me included.

My partner and I have setup a website where FMFC employees can sign up to be apart of a class action lawsuit against them. If you are interested, please visit www.suefmfc.com right now. 

Yesterday was one of the saddest days in my life. 

My 98 year old grandfather passed away suddenly. I spent most of the day in the emergency hospital room at St. Marks hospital with my uncle Gary, aunt Linda, cousins Mindy and Chris and my cousin-in-law Allison. We all watched as my grandfather passed peacefully. 

He went the way he wanted to go. Even at the ripe old age of 98, he was still living independently, driving and even golfing with me this summer. Last Wednesday, during our last lunch together, he was even a little worried because his driver's license was going to expire this year and he was afraid they wouldn't give him another. We all know he would have passed the test with flying colors.

There aren't enough words in the English language (that I know of) to explain what a father, grandfather and GREAT grandfather he was – emphasis on GREAT. I already miss him dearly. It is going to take a long time for me to get a new Wednesday lunch routine that comes remotely close to the good times I was able to share with him over the last two years. I cherish every moment I spent with him and consider myself the luckiest of his grandchildren to have that time.

I will continue to post stories and "Hollyisms" as they come to mind. Speaking of "Hollyisms" my cousin-in-law Allison remembered another one while we were sharing time in the emergency room. I've added it here .

My grandfather was a man who will be talked about, quoted, and admired for many generations to come. The State of Utah and the city of Salt Lake will never be the same again.

In loving memory of my grandpa Holly, who to the great joy of my beloved grandma Myrtle returned to his Heavenly Father yesterday. 

It has been SIX years since my knee surgery that replaced the ACL in my right knee with the center piece of my patellar tendon. Here's a picture of my knee about a week after surgery (at the same time my twins were born). Thought I'd throw that in here just for kicks.

… And since I blew my knee playing the game I love so much, it has also been 6 years since I stepped on a soccer field with cleats and shin guards in a REAL attempt at playing in a REAL soccer game.

The wait is officially OVER. Last night I was invited to fill in for "Ben Beasley" on an "Over 30" mens competition league. I mention Ben because I looked most like him and had to use his player card (illegally?) to check in so I could play.

How did it go you ask? Let's just say they've invited me back to play full time. We were down 2-0 at half time. Shortly after the restart, I found myself on the left wing all alone. I took a beautiful cross and found nobody to beat but the goalie. Course, my superior goal mongering skills kicked in and I cut the deficit in half with a well placed shot into the right corner. A few minutes later I took a volley at the top of the box and sent a rocket 6 inches over the cross bar… it would have been a sweet goal.

We did manage to tie the game and send it into a SHOOT OUT. Yeah, I thought it was strange too, but in this league they don't do any overtime periods. They took us straight to a shoot out. I was a little surprised when they asked me to take a shot in the 4th position out of the first five since this was the first time I met the team… I guess they figured I could handle it after seeing me play.

Course, none of them knew I was the PK specialist on my college team at South Mountain. The guy on the other team who went before me missed wide left so the pressure was on me to make it. No problem. I hit my ball hard into the ride side netting (not back net) about chest high. No goalie in the world could have stopped it, even if they guessed correctly and dove that direction.

Anyway, our keeper Hunter (who invited me to play) ended up saving the next kick and sealed the deal. We won on PKs 3-2. All in all, I was surprised my legs and feet still remembered how to play, and I didn't hurt myself or suffer a heart attack in the process. Course, I'm not moving too swiftly today…