Lessons Learned From Dad

All seven of the children got up and gave a brief memory of their father. What a tribute to his goodness.



The children from the youngest to the oldest talked about something that they remembered or learned from their dad.



Scattered through their remarks are pictures of some of their children and pictures



with Dad that have not been highlighted in earlier sections of this blog.



Lessons from Dad: Rebecca Tate Toborg:



To summarize Dad’s favorite things we could pile up a VHS of home movies, the scriptures and a chess set. Perhaps the engineers would add a slide rule too.



We all have stories of Dad fixing and building things: Rigging up the camping tent with rope because he forgot the polls; building a faux floor in the Mosby St. house so Mom could at least feel like there were different levels in her home, even if it wasn’t the two story house she always wanted; floating down rivers; taking off his Sunday shoes and black socks before floating down those rivers. I always will be grateful he came to Texas and fixed up our house. And I’ll never forget how, just like he did with Mom’s at home, he used my very best kitchen knife to fix the outdoor light!


Well, it looks like we’re going in order of The Hunt. Just out of curiosity, please raise your hand if you have ever participated in The Hunt. Raise both hands if you are passing on The Hunt to your children. (Most of the family raised their hands.) Well, it looks like Dad’s legacy is complete.



The Christmas Hunt was passed down from Dad’s family. Mom never liked it because the very first time she did one, she had all of Dad’s brothers staring over her shoulder wondering why she couldn’t figure out the clues. Often we already knew or hoped we knew what special gift was waiting at the end of the hunt. But the thrill of working out the clues was exciting.



Our lives are much the same way as The Hunt. We all know where we are headed, but we have to figure out the clues and work through the problems to get there. Dad always knew who he was and where he was headed. Dad set the example for regular church attendance, fasting, family prayer, following and listening to the words of the prophets – even if that meant watching or listening to a very static radio or TV.



We attended church when we went on vacation, and meeting Saints from all around the world became some of the most memorable parts of our trips. Dad’s ancestors helped establish the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they knew God’s plan for us. Dad stood on a rock with his forefathers.



He stood firm and helped us when we were on shaky ground until we could stand alone on our own rock. We now stand firmly on a rock of faith and family, and we are here for you as long as you need us.



Just like that trail of macaroni that I followed as a child for The Hunt, I follow the trail Dad has laid ahead for me in this life. I stand on my own rock and I leave my testimony that I know Christ died for me so that we can be together forever. I know we will see Dad again. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.




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Lessons from Dad: Larry

Dad taught me how to laugh or at least groan at his puns and occasional joke. Men are that they might have joy.


Dad showed selflessness. Few things were ever dad first, except if mom made it that way.


Dad taught meet how to work. Whether it was the dreaded 3 hour Saturday slave day, working at the pair farm, or even working with him for pay. Dad could do anything. Through this, he also taught me how to serve.



Larry compared his growing up years with how he is raising his children and passing on the strong values of work to them.



He taught me how to love especially in how he treated mom.
I love you dad. (Larry)



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Lessons from Dad: Kate

"As we talked about what all of us might say that Dad taught us, the thing that came to my mind was Loyalty.



Dad was loyal, first and always to Mom. We never questioned that Dad loved Mom or Mom loved Dad, and we always knew they loved us. Dad was always loyal and faithful to Mom. She was number one, and you didn't talk back to Mom when Dad was around.



Dad was also loyal to us kids and taught us to be loyal to each other. With seven chiefs and parents who were chiefs it is amazing that we've never had any kind of family rift because Dad and Mom taught us to be loyal to each other. I know I could call on any of my siblings as well as Mom and Dad and they would be there for me if I needed them.



Dad was loyal to his extended family and helped siblings, nieces and nephews, and Grandma Tate whenever he could.



He was loyal to friends, and I'm sure, as was mentioned, that he is playing chess with Brother Redd in heaven.



He was loyal to his country and served in World War ll in the navy. He loved this country.



He was loyal to the Church and served in many callings. We have received several e-mails from people who knew him from the past that mentioned that they will never forget what a great home teacher or Bishop he was.



He was loyal to the gospel and to his temple covenants.



He was loyal to himself. What a marvelous thing to know that Dad, "Grandpa", is the same person now as he was ten years ago, twenty, thirty. He was true to himself and will still be Grandpa when we see him again.



And most important, he was and is loyal to Heavenly Father, and because of it he has been welcomed home. I have thought over these last few days of the last verse of my favorite hymn, "O My Father", because I know that is now Grandpa's reward:
"When I leave this frail existence, When I lay this mortal by, Father, Mother, may I meet you in your royal courts on high?
Then, at length, when I've completed all you sent me forth to do, With your mutual approbation, Let me come and dwell with you."



Grandpa taught us to be loyal and the way we can all show our loyalty to him is to be loyal to the Church and live the gospel. I know that he lives and loves us. We love you, Dad."



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Lessons from Dad: Steven











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Lessons from Dad: Linda
Keep God’s Commandments


My dad was my hero, my idol and so I married someone who was very much like him: tall, dark, and handsome; intelligent and highly educated; spiritual and a leader;



loves the Gospel of Jesus Christ, missionary work and serving others; honors his Priesthood, is a handyman and can fix anything; enjoys traveling; and treats his Queen with love, respect, and loyalty.



A lot of what has already been or will be said, I too learned from my dad.



The lesson I learned is to “Keep the Commandments of God”. Now my dad believed that rules were for those who weren’t smart enough to figure things out themselves and so often he did things his way, but when it came to the Lord’s Commandments he was faithful and obedient.



Mosiah 2: 22 And behold, all that he (Jesus Christ) requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.



1 Nephi 3:7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.



Having been taught by my father and mother I know that it is through Jesus Christ, our Savior, that after keeping the commandments of God,



doing good works, having charity, the love of God, and though His Atoning Sacrifice, we may be saved in the Kingdom of God.








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Lessons from Dad: Cynthia
Cynthia & Richard and Natalie & Scott

Our dad had the confidence to accomplish anything he chose to do. He worked hard, and was willing to learn from others.



One of my favorite songs that I attributed to Dad was My Pa from the Yearling. I’d like to share my insight about our dad with an adaptation from the poem, My PA.




Our dad could light our home at night
With just a wire or two
And made a leaky tap alright
With a pipe wrench twist or two.




Our dad could do most anything
he set his mind to do
He taught hard work to all his kids
And the grandkids learned it too.



Our dad could sweeten up our day
That work and chores made gray.
And bought us ice cream sundaes
That would chase the frowns away.



Our dad’s the only one we knew
Who could teach us how to do
The wiring, plumbing, and repairs
Go golfing, surfing, and checkmate too.



Our dad worked hard to serve the Lord
He loved his family, and country too,
Our dad’s the finest friend we knew
We’re glad that you now know him too.


I will always treasure the skills he taught me,
and the confidence he gave me to try.

I Love You Dad, You Were My Hero
(Cynthia)

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Lessons from Dad: Richard


The greatest example of lessons from dad is Richard following dad's footsteps as Bishop and Richard & Janice entering the MTC the following Monday to serve a fulltime mission.






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Hand in hand forever. Happiness by my side.