On October 25th I was checking my facebook page when I saw a post by Ryan's cousin that said something to the fact of "My Grandpa fell and is going to the hospital!" I tried to call Ryan but couldn't get a hold of him. Then more posts started popping up from his cousins on facebook from "Gramps is getting a CT scan" to "It's not looking good" to finally "All Bezzants should get to the hospital tonight to say goodbye to Grandpa." Talk about feeling helpless! I'm watching all of this unfold on social media 1600 miles away, not able to get a hold of anyone for more information and when I finally got in touch with Ryan he couldn't get anyone to answer either! When we finally got more information we learned that Gramps had fallen down a few stairs at home, hit his head, sustained brain bleeding, and was on the ventilator. As I nurse I know the outcome of that kind of situation and my heart was breaking! I was at work while all of this was happening and I wish I could have been home with Ryan or better yet at the hospital in Utah!
Ryan decided he didn't want to rush home to see his Gramps before they let him go but to remember him how he was. After Nancy's siblings arrived the next day they turned off the ventilator and Grandpa Bezzant passed away that afternoon of October 26th 2012. It sounds like all the family that was able had been to the hospital to be with him and that it was a very peaceful passing.
We arrived in Utah on the 28th. There were several family get togethers at the orchard house where Ryan's Grandma and Grandpa used to live before she died in 2003.. It was so great to see so many people packed in that home that they all spent so much time in as kids. Everyone was reminising about Gramps. Most of the time laughing to the point of tears while sharing their stories.
Such a warm feeling in that home!
The view of Utah Lake from the orchard house.
The viewing was on the 29th at Olpin Mortuary in Pleasant Grove. I was later informed it used to be a chapel and it was where Jim and Mary had their wedding reception! Talk about a full circle to have your wedding reception and viewing at the same place! Gramps looked good, it was good to see him.
The family set up several beautiful displays to remember Jim which wouldn't have been complete without remembering his life as a fruit farmer.
The next day was his funeral at a chapel in Orem. There were so many people there and the service was beautiful! Nancy and her brother spoke and I loved learning new things about Jim and hearing about the wonderful man that he was. Ryan must have saved his emotions for the funeral because he finally let them out. I'm so glad he did and that I was able to be there to help him through it.
What a beautiful day, inside and out!
Buried with a view of the G which those Bezzant's are so crazy about!
The whole Robert and Nancy West Family
Ryan took a minute to remember his Grandma and Grandpa West who are buried nearby.
One thing that I loved is after the funeral on our way back to the church for lunch we stopped at Hart's for big chills in honor of Grandpa Bezzant who would stop there everyday for a Dr Pepper before work. Funny enough, when we got there there were already several family members inside doing the same thing and then more showed up after us! It was like Bezzant day at Hart's :) Pretty cute to see all the big chills on the tables at lunch. I'm sure Jim was chuckling.
The next day was Halloween and were were able to spend more time with Ryan's family which was great. We went to the kids Halloween parade at school and trick or treating with them later.
(forgive the crappy pictures, time to get yet another new camera)
We also stopped by the cemetery again so Ryan could leave a little something for his Gramps.
We also stopped by his Grandma and Grandpa West's site to drop off some fall flowers.
The next day we went back to Salt Lake and went to my sister's kids Halloween parade and enjoyed some short but sweet time with my family as well.
We headed home the next day but not before a trip to Corbelly's.
While Grandpa Bezzant's passing was certainly unexpected and sooner than we would like we are comforted to know that he passed quickly and that is the way he wanted. He was such a great man and I will always remember his belly laugh/chuckle, big hugs, and smile. He always gave the kids a hard time and loved to joke around. We will certainly miss him but are grateful for the covenants he made in the temple so many years ago so that his family could be Eternal. How thankful we are for the Plan of Salvation and the comfort and peace it provides. Between the two of us we have lost 6 of our 9 grandparents in the last 9 years and 5 of those since we moved to Michigan 5 years ago. We sure miss them but know we will see them again. We love you Gramps!!
Ryan's memories...My earliest memories of Grandpa Bezzant are of him being serious and stubborn. I had a great deal of respect and fear of him as a kid. He always seemed to be doing something, a man constantly in motion. It seemed the only time he sat still for more than five minutes was on Sunday evenings with a wooden bowl filled with freshly popped popcorn saltier than the Great Salt Lake and Murder She Wrote on the tv. Though Gramps always seemed to be working, he made it a point to attend family events. He was there for baptisms and confirmations, he tried his best to attend school performances and recitals. Every Christmas Grandma and Grandpa Bezzant would make their way over to see what had been delivered and deliver some razzing of his own. Though he rarely vocalized his love, it was abundantly evident in his actions and attitudes. As a teenager I began to develop a deeper relationship with Gramps. Time spent in the orchards working translated into time spent getting to know Gramps.
To be continued...
