Grandpa Wixom's Funeral

A sketch of Grandpa 

About an hour after I got to work Thursday I received news from my mom that my Grandpa Wixom had passed the night before. He has been very sick for a long time, due to many years of smoking and alcoholism... and we had several scares earlier in the year where we thought we would lose him, but he somehow found the strength to pull through. He finally decided that he had come to peace with things here on this earth this week though, and let go of mortality. 

Paul bearers placing the casket

With little notice Ben and I were left scrambling to find a way to get up to Blackfoot Idaho to attend the funeral services. We were also asked to provide a musical number on our guitars as part of the program. We ran through a rough version of "How Great Thou Art", and decided that it might be better for Ben to play with my brother in law Jonathan instead since I am NOT that great! LOL! So we drove up to Kaysville for them to run through it a bit, and ended up deciding that was the way to go, because they sounded great together. 

Folding the flag

Military Rites

We drove up Friday afternoon after I got off work and stayed with my Grandma Scherbel. We went to the viewing late this afternoon. I saw many family members that I have not seen since I was in my early teenage years, and it was great to catch up with them. My Aunt Lauri delivered a thoughtful life sketch in the funeral program, and many others got up and shared their thoughts and memories about my Grandpa. Jonathan and Ben delivered a beautiful performance with their song that brought the spirit into the room and left everyone in tears. It was a great way to end the services.

We left in a procession through down via police escort out to the graveside. We watched as the grave was dedicated and then had the Military Rites delivered as well. It was very quiet and thoughtful as they proceeded to fold the flag and fire the rounds in my Grandpa's honor. 

Goodbye Grandpa

Funerals are always a bittersweet moment in life for me.... because they are moments of sorrow and loss, but also moments of happiness because they are one of the only things that can bring the entire family together, and it is good to see everyone. I am sad to see him go, but I am also relieved to know he is happy and resting peacefully now.... We love you Grandpa.