Tuesday Nov. 19, 2024
Dome Technology - Idaho Falls, Idaho
Darryl went to work for Dome Technology in May of 1996, thinking he would only work there for a couple of years to learn the business, and then move on to doing his own dome building. I don't think he ever thought he would be ther3 for 28 1/2 years. He plans on retiring from full-time dome building after the first of the year, and his colleagues, bosses and friends had an Appreciation luncheon for him.
Jesse and Kelly came to the luncheon with us, it was nice to have family there. She sat across from Jason Craig and they had quite a good time reminiscing.
All in all there were about 35-40 people there. Unfortunately, a few of our longtime friends from work couldn't be there. Rod South, Lane Roberts, John Kimball, Nick Clegg, Lalo Chavez and others were all working out of town, and Lily is in Salt Lake City where she is receiving treatment for her cancer.
Getting things ready to start.
Jason Craig, who we've known since he was a high school kid in Indiana, me and Darryl.
Bradley Bateman, Adam Sullivan, Bryan Butikofer, Jason and Dan South and several others all shared stories of working with Darryl over the years.
Some stories were funny, some quite heartwarming and moving, but they were all wonderful to hear as they spoke of how much they appreciated Darryl and all they learned from him.
Then it was Darryl's turn to speak. He started out by telling them that the best decision he ever made and greatest "con" job he every pulled off was getting me to marry him. He spoke of his respect and friendship with Barry, who's health didn't allow him to be here, and of the two biggest influences in his life.
1. His parents. They taught him right from wrong and how to work.
2. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, which affects all his decisions, all aspects of his life.
Then he finished with his very beautiful testimony of the gospel and his Savior, Jesus Christ. And then, at the very end he said, "When all is said and done, I want you to remember these two things about me, - That I love the Lord and I love my wife. It was very moving for everyone.
They asked me to speak and I talked about how young we were when Darryl went to work for Dome Technology. He was 42 and I had turned 40 just days before we moved to Idaho, and all of the young people we have watched grow up in the company. Dan and Jason South were in their 20s, Bradley, who is now CEO, was just out of high school when we met him.
At one time or another all of our children have worked for Dome Technology, learning skills they will have with them the rest of their lives (4 of them worked as heavy equipment or crane operators) and what a blessing that has been for them. It's impossible to express how grateful we are for all the opportunities we have had to travel around the world and live in so many different places.
We have been blessed to attend The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in branches and wards in far away places both in the USA and abroad, and to serve in the church in a few of those countries around the world. We have made good friends in a multitude of countries and of varying cultures and grown to love them. Our lives have been forever blessed by this good company.
Adam gifted me with the floral centerpiece.
Darryl and I with Dome's CEO, Bradley Bateman.
(Who is a wonderful man and was recently called to be an Area Authority of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)
It was such a wonderful afternoon and a very well deserved honor for Darryl.
****
So, how do you finish off a day like that? By going to a Middle School Wrestling match to cheer on the neighbor kids. We love to watch wrestling, and Roselyn and her brother both won their matches!
And, we found out the the Cunningham family started a little wrestling tradition in Southeast Idaho back in 2006-2009. When Roselyn and McKade got their opponents in pinning position, Darryl and I would yell "Squeeze"!, just like we did when Cody was wrestling for Madison High School. It's something we picked when he wrestled in Colorado.
When Roselyn heard it she said, "Oh, that was you? I thought some people from Madison were here, because they always yell 'squeeze' at their meets when someone is trying to pin their opponent".
Well, what do you know about that. Our little tradition lives on!
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