Visiting Family in Utah: Bitter-sweet

It was my pleasure to be able to visit family in Utah this week. It had been over a year since I had been there, as my last trip was for Walker and Jenn's wedding. This event was a much different type of gathering, but not without the joy of family and the celebration of the gospel and the goodness of God's love for his children.

The funeral ceremony was tender, sweet, humorous, and joyous. Hundreds of family and friends filled the chapel. Aunts LaNona and Julie held the audience enchanted as they read and shared the remembrances and stories given to them about Jason. Jason's parents, Tim and Mary, did the impossible by delivering thoughtful and heart-felt messages of loss, love, and hope. Two older siblings (Erin and Derek) are currently serving missions and were unable to attend in person, but they were clearly in the same room with the rest of us as brother Kyle read their letters and shared their spirit of familial love and gospel testimony. Musical numbers brought a tenderness to the event and there were few, if any, dry eyes.

The family had, earlier, congregated in the viewing room, around Jason's discarded body, for final farewells and a prayer. The very most difficult and touching moment was when the final good-byes were said and the coffin was closed. Eight year old Christa was the voice of expression for us all when she cried and said "I love you Jason!" while the lid was lowered and fastened shut for the last time.

Following the service we gathered at the Pleasant Grove cemetery where Tim dedicated the grave. Afterward we returned to a luncheon at the church that had been prepared by the Relief Society. The food was wonderful and the conversation was informal and friendly and the perfect ending to a day of mixed feelings. No one could escape the notion that Jason was missing; but no one, I think, could escape the feeling that we are all members of a large and thriving and happily supportive family.

In Loving Memory of Jason Dean Gurr

The following was taken from the Olpin Mortuary website.

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June 13, 1994 ~ August 13, 2009

Jason Dean Gurr, 15, of American Fork, our beloved son and brother passed away at Primary Children’s Medical Center on August 13, 2009, after enduring a lengthy illness. He was born on June 13, 1994 to Tim Edward and Mary Anne Meibos Gurr in Provo.

Jason loved his family, friends, laughing, being kind, and serving others. Some of his favorite activities were reading, playing the piano, origami, cooking, sewing, and being with his family. He always had a radiant smile and made life fun. He had a testimony of Christ, lived by faith, and magnified his priesthood. He has now gone on to serve the Lord as a missionary in the spirit world. He is survived by his parents, two sisters, and four brothers: Erin (a missionary in Argentina), Derek (a missionary in Peru), Kyle (preparing to serve a mission in Uruguay), Devin, Krista, and Bryan.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the doctors and staff at PCMC as well as numerous family, friends, and neighbors who cared deeply for Jason.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the American Fork North Stake Center, 975 North 60 East, American Fork. Friends may call Tuesday evening from 6–8 p.m. at Olpin Family Mortuary, 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove and at the church on Wednesday one hour prior to services. Interment will be in the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinfamilymortuary.com. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the LDS general missionary fund.