Life of Purpose, Man of Service: A Biography of Cecil Erwin Waite

By Jim Waite

Facing insurmountable odds of survival on a destroyer caught in a 100 foot typhoon in the South Pacific during World War II, Life of Purpose, Man of Service tells the story of a man, who not only survived, but thrived. Cecil Erwin Waite learned first- hand how take difficult, unbearable situations and turn them into blessings. When their first-born child wasnt expected to live through the night, they prayed. Through their faith, their young son also became a survivor and continues to thrive to this day. As he faced obstacles throughout his life, Erwin learned at a young age that things worthwhile dont come easily. He also found that in midst of trials and tribulations, there was always a greater power from above whom he could always rely on during lifes deepest, darkest moments when all would seem lost. He knew his life had purpose and that serving others made that purpose that much greater.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781514425497

Jim Waite

Jim Waite is the youngest of the four children born to Erwin & Colleen Waite. He has always had an interest in writing, even at a very young age as he would write stories, reports and poems. Later, in high school, he worked as a sports reporter for the local newspaper, the Bakersfield Californian. In 1984, he graduated from Brigham Young University, with a BA in International Relations. He has worked as a financial planner, with his own company, JL Waite Financial Group, since 1996. He married Lisa Wilson in 1982. They have ten children and three grandsons. In addition to writing, Jim enjoys reading, sports, and learning new things through travel.

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Copyright © 2015 by Jim Waite.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2015919080

ISBN:   Hardcover       978-1-5144-2548-0

              Softcover        978-1-5144-2547-3

              eBook             978-1-5144-2549-7

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Rev. date: 12/11/2015

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CONTENTS

Preface

Introduction

Biography-Historical Summary

Chapter 1   Born of Goodly Parents

Chapter 2   Athlete & Scholar

Chapter 3   Divine Intervention in midst of war

Chapter 4   Together Forever

Chapter 5   Royal Daughter of God

Chapter 6   Reaching the One

Chapter 7   Divine Affirmation

Chapter 8   Ready to harvest: Pioneers in a new land

Chapter 9   Called to Serve

Chapter 10   House of the Lord

Chapter 11   Fishing in the Outhouse and other memorable moments

Chapter 12   Honor Flight

Chapter 13   Family: Then & Now

PREFACE

When I first sat down to write this biography of my father I thought for a long time how can I possibly write about a man who has done so much for so many for so many years? I had a thousand reflections of years past. I thought of the many times we would all be loaded up in the car ready to head out on vacation, but dad had to check the oil one last time. Three hours later there we sat with sweat dripping down the side of our faces as dad would finish up changing the oil and giving the car a quick tune-up. Mom would always go the extra mile and make sure we all had a hot breakfast in the morning before leaving for school or work. Dad’s usually had to get re-warmed a few times, as he always had that last call to take, person to see or thing to fix. It definitely tried mom’s patience. When he had lengthy church meetings with no break in between from 6 in the morning until sometimes midnight mom would slip him some crackers with cheese to hold him over until he could have a hot meal waiting for him when he eventually got home.

Dad always showed love and understanding to us kids-like the time we would throw wet wash rags in the bathtub and try to make them stick to the ceiling, thus creating a flood on the bathroom floor- or the time Greg blew out all four tires of his VW hatchback racing through the Valley Plaza parking lot and jumping an island- or the time Debbie had a date with some hippie dude, who thought Dad was Far out and mom was Outa sight. I’ll never forget the night of a formal, when I was decked out in tux and all, driving dad’s brand new grand prix and backed into the neighbor’s Corvette. Both the neighbor and dad came running out about the same time, with the neighbor yelling and dad showing remarkable restraint…considering what I had just done. My date just couldn’t figure out why I felt so miserable that evening.

Dad also always had a way with words. Like the time my girlfriend (the same one I had taken to the formal) broke up with me. His fatherly advice was Son, It could be worse. Then after a long pause… It could be me. He also graciously complimented restaurant managers when they would ask How was your meal? Dad would always respond, It’s the best dinner I’ve had all day! Of course, it was also the only dinner he had. When car shopping, the poor salesman would give dad his best sales pitch, after which dad would simply go to leave and say, I guess you need the car more than I do.

Dad has also been adventurous. Going to amusement parks were always a blast as dad would ride the rollercoasters, even in his seventies, with arms up in the air and squealing like a teenager with each drop. On his 75th birthday, while visiting Richard and Debbie in Knoxville, Tennessee, he even went bungee jumping. Mom said it about gave her a heart attack watching him plunge several hundred feet to his most certain death, only to see him get yanked back up mere inches from hitting the ground below. He planned on going skydiving on his 85th birthday, but didn’t. His reason? As he stated: Those who were going to go with me chickened out.

You could also call dad quite an entrepreneur and businessman. He credits his knack for growing spaghetti and macaroni from his days growing up as a boy on a farm. He would convince family and friends that the proper way to grow both types of pasta was to have the right kind of soil, enough irrigation, and plenty of sunshine. He would explain that not everyone could grow it properly as it took him years of trial and error to master the art. He said that he even tried growing Velcro, but had problems with it as the wind would sometimes blow it into the spaghetti and macaroni, without him realizing it. People would unknowingly then eat the pasta with the Velcro and it would stick to their ribs. He said all of this with a straight face. Dad has always had quite a sense of humor.

Most of all, dad has always been a man of service. There is no one that he hasn’t met, whose life hasn’t been touched by something dad has done or said. His words of wisdom and faith in action has helped lift the downtrodden, encourage the hopeless, and strengthen the weak. It has also been a shining example to us children of what true Christ-like service is and how we can strive to emulate it. The challenges, struggles and obstacles he has overcome throughout his life are a constant reminder that we become better with each test. Dad has exemplified that through character building and faith-promoting experiences.

It’s amazing how much you can learn from your parents. Spending hours talking to dad about his life was a special experience for me. It was also a kind of spiritual experience. Getting to know dad as an adult has been much different than learning from him as a kid. I have learned to honor and respect him more. I also quickly came to a realization that many of the concerns, obstacles, heartaches and troubles that I had growing up were many of the same feelings dad had when he was my age. I also saw through his eyes a man whose life had impacted so many others. Everywhere I went I would meet someone who not only knew dad, but would tell how he helped them through their own challenges. That’s the kind of man dad has always been. A man of character, who has always put the interest of others ahead of his own.

He often credits his own parents for his success in life. He was indeed born of goodly parents, as he quickly responds to anyone heaping praise and compliments upon him. That’s humility. Always giving someone else credit for one’s own accomplishments. Many years ago, when his father was still alive, dad once told my grandpa how impressed he was with what he knew. Grandpa responded to dad, If you only knew what I knew back then as a child you would really be impressed. Dad has never stopped learning. Take a look at his library of good books. There are literally hundreds. They are written by honorable men and women, who have long ago left their own impact on countless lives, including his.

This book will be just one more among his many others. The author virtually an unknown to the literary world, amongst other world- renowned authors. The subject, however, is a true gem. A Life of purpose, a man of service. A man I will spend my own lifetime to try to emulate.

I would like to give special thanks to my dear mother, who at age 85, contributed greatly to this book. Her volumes of journals she has kept throughout the years, along with letters, photos, notes, and personal recollections have added greatly to this writing. Dad asked that I write one chapter about mom. My response was that I could write an entire book about her life. She has been the strength and inspiration to not only dad, but to us kids as well.

I would also like to thank my dear wife, Lisa, who has stood beside me through thick and thin, re-writes and corrections, additions and subtractions. Through it all, she has been my support.

My children also deserve some recognition. Tyler, in particular, I give special thanks for his time and effort in scanning countless photos and helping design the cover.

Lastly, I am thankful for my father and his taking time to visit with me for countless hours over the past three years. At 89, he is still going strong. I know, however, that his body has put a lot of miles on it and it hasn’t always been easy for him. I appreciate his stories and his humor. I appreciate his strength of spirit and dedication to doing what is right. I am grateful for the blessing of being his son and the opportunity he has given me to tell his life story.

INTRODUCTION

It was 1945 in the South Pacific. A typhoon had hit with 100mph winds, 100 ft. waves and non-stop rain for 14 days. The destroyer he was on would rock back and forth like a cork in a dark abyss of a vast ocean with no sign of rescue and avoiding thoughts of what tomorrow might bring. That is, if there was to be a tomorrow. Thirteen destroyers left port; only three would survive the violent storm unleashed in a furry. Hundreds of men had already perished in the dark, deep clenches of the sea. It was during these darkest, most trying times that Erwin remembered a folded copy of his Patriarchal Blessing that he had carried with him since he left home months before. It was a special blessing, given to him many years earlier with special promises if he but did his part. Mom had given it to him before he left for the service and encouraged him to read it often-especially when times were tough. He unfolded the soaked paper, not knowing if its condition was due to rain or his own tears. As he read, a certain calmness and reassurance came over him. He read that his life would be spared in midst of trials, tribulations and war, if he would but keep the commandments and live a life dedicated to the Lord. At that point he bowed his head and said a silent prayer. A commitment and a promise. It was a covenant with the Lord that he would keep for the rest of his life.

Throughout his life as trials and tribulations would come Erwin would find the strength and faith to overcome. As their first child was born and given no hope to live they were told to make funeral arrangements as he wasn’t expected to live through the night. Through their faith and prayers- and a miracle- their little one not only survived, but thrived and became a leader himself and a big brother to his three siblings. When Erwin was called to be a bishop of the new 5th ward with only 13 active families in the congregation and at the same time becoming a brand new school superintendent, life seemed overwhelming. How could he possibly do it? In a matter of a few years the ward had gone from 10% activity to almost 90%. More importantly, the lives that were touched through his countless hours of service would be etched in their hearts forever. The school had equally grown in its 22 years he was there, growing from a few students to a few hundred. When called to serve as missionaries in Sierra Leone in West Africa and establishing the church in a new country, Erwin & Colleen became true pioneers all while suffering through boils and shingles. They were watched over and protected. The results were astounding: going from six members to four branches of faithful, dedicated members in just 18 months- baptizing hundreds. It was another miracle. With each additional calling, whether stake president, mission president or temple sealer there were challenges and obstacles to overcome, but there were also great rewards and an outpouring of the Lord’s richest blessings.

So it is with Erwin’s life. A life of purpose. A life of service. A life of Christ-like example. He would remain steadfast and immovable, dedicated to not only staying the course, but also helping others to do the same.

BIOGRAPHY-HISTORICAL SUMMARY

The following chronology provides a historical summary of the Life of

Cecil Erwin Waite

CHAPTER 1

Born of Goodly Parents

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Erwin’s parents Martha Lucina (Lucina) and Jesse LeRoy (Roy)

To fully understand a person-who they are, what makes up their character and value system- you must first look at their upbringing and those around them who affected their lives. He was truly born of goodly parents. They taught their children correct principles of being thrifty, how to save, how to work hard and how to serve their fellow man.

Cecil Erwin Waite was born July 8, 1926 in Bunkerville, Nevada to Jesse LeRoy Waite and Martha Lucina Bowman Waite. He preferred going by his middle name, as Cecil seemed old-fashioned to him. He was born the sixth of seven children. Jay was the oldest, followed by Floyd, Charma, Orley, Vern, Erwin, and Hazel. All the sons served in WWII except for Jay. His parents came from a long line of pioneer heritage and rich ancestry dating back over a century. His paternal grandparents, Jesse Waite and Medora Leavitt, were a strong, hard-working, faithful people. His maternal grandparents, William Calvert Bowman and Lydia Loretta Squires were equally faithful and dedicated to hard-work and service. They all loved The Lord and strived hard to set an example of Christ-like