The Chair for the 2009 reunion was Carol Dyer. The reunion was held August 15, 2009, in Kaysville, Utah. Thanks for a job well done. The committee members included Carol Dyer, Larry Porter, Boyd Cardon, Charles “Dick” Cardon, R. Lavor Cardon, Becky Cardon Smith, Linnea Cardon, Carl Goodman, Ray Blake, Natalie Bluemel, Brookie Cardon Peterson, Ken Cardon, Scott and Zac Cardon, Brynn and Matthew Clinger, Jen Cardon, and Bob Cardon.
The following is extracted from (and in some cases corrected) the original printed program. The Waldensian emblem in color was substituted for the printed program black and white.
Cardon Family Reunion
August 15, 2009
Garden Chapel 550 S. 9 W., Kaysville, Utah
Lux Lucet In Tenebris
“The light shining in darkness”
“The Waldensian Emblem dated from the year 1640
The lighted candle denotes “The Word of God.”
The blue field or night blue sky represents darkness
The seven stars represent the “Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation.”
The Latin motto Lux Lucet In Tenebris signifies
“A Light is Shining in the Darkness of Night” or
“The Burning Word of God is Bringing Light and Splendor Among Men.”
“The two branches, one of oak normally on the right and one of green laurel on the
left, tied together at the bottom, indicates, “Hope and Strength and Power.” The
Green Laurel stands for Hope and Glory.” Thus we have “Hope, Power, and the
Glory of God.”
(According to https://waldensianpresbyterianchurch.com/our-history)
Registration 8:00 AM-9:45 AM in Cultural hall: Please register, and consider contributing to the Cardon Family Reunion, Piedmont Families Organization (PFO) funds, & purchasse meal tickets. Thanks to Ray Blake and family , & Lavor Cardon for helping.
Family History Fair 8:30 AM-9:30 AM in Cultural Hall: Visit booths with displays of family items, and publications that are available to purchase.
Opening Session, 10:00 AM-11:00 AM in Chapel.
Presiding: Larry C. Porter, President of the Cardon Family Organization
Conducting: Carol Cardon Dyer, 2009 Cardon Reunion Chairperson
Prelude & Postlude Music: David Cardon
Music Director: Michael Dyer
Opening Hymn: 135 “For the Strength of the Hills”
This hymn has significance to the families of the Piedmont Valleys. It is based on a poem by Felicia Hemans, about the Waldensian people. It was also one of Lorenzo Snow’s favorite hymns. Snow served a mission in Italy and brought the restored gospel to our family.
Opening Prayer: Bob Cardon
Family Reports:
– Waldensians in South America: Dick Cardon
– Mexican Colonies Trip: Linnea Cardon
– Trip to Italy: Becky Cardon Smith
Musical Number: Brynn Clinger “I Stand All Amazed” accompanied by David Cardon
Introduction of Speaker: Larry C. Porter
Speaker: Michael H. Homer: “History of the Italian Mission 1852”
Awards: See insert for the contributions of our honorees.
Closing Hymn: “Faith in Every Footstep” see handout
Closing Prayer: Mary O’Dell
Break-Out Session 1, 11:05 AM-11:35 AM: Please select 1 class below:
Piedmont Families Organization (PFO) Report: Relief Society Room
Dick Cardon will discuss the genealogy extraction work that Brother Cena is doing, the status of genealogy work, and how you can contribute to this work.
Family Record Updates: Chapel
Carl Goodman will discuss the new FamilySearch program, the work of updating records and moving them forward to current and future generations. Michael Cardon will present information on family gravesites.
Highlights from our Heritage: Primary Room
All ages welcome. Linnea Cardon will bring a hands-on class to delight folks with the newest book available on our Cardon heritage, based on FHE Packets, combing favorite family stories with food and fun. Come test your knowledge of our family history.
Youth Activities, for ages 8-16: Outdoor field. Soctt & Zac Cardon, will lead outdoor games, bring your Frisbee or soccer skills & come play with your cousins.
Nursery, for ages 3-7: Room 111: Brynn & Matt Clinger: Nursery activities prepared for little ones.
Break-Out Session 2, 11:40 AM-12:10 PM: Please select 1 class below:
My Cup Overfloweth with Gratitude: Primary Room
Linnea Cardon. Come learn about some of the struggles our ancestors overcame. Part of the discussion will focus on the Cardons in Mexico. Participate in a water game & enjoy a snack.
Cardons in the Mexican Colonies: in Room 108 & 107
Larry C. Porter & Becky Cardon Smith, see film and footage of the dedication of the Cardon Grave markers in Mexico.
Piedmont Families Organization (PFO) Report: Relief Society Room (Repeat)
Family Record Updates: Chapel (Repeat)
Nursery, for ages 3-7: Room 111. (Continued…)
Lunch, 12:15 PM-1:15 PM: In Cultural Hall. Join us for lunch, catered by Fazoli’s $7.00 per person, and $21.00 for immediate family of 4 or more. Thanks to LaDawn Porter & family for table decorations.
Family History Fair, 1:15 PM-2:15 PM: In Cultural Hall.
Visit booths with displays of family items and publications that are available to purchase. We have new publications available including a packet of the trip to Mexico for $8.00 and updated FHE booklet. There will be information about future family travel groups, and opportunities to ask questions to those who conducted our Bread-out Sessions.
Family Activities, 1:30 PM-3:00 PM: on Field etc. Come play with your Cardon cousins! Activities include a softball game, water-balloon volleyball, fishing pond, beanbag toss, potato sack & relay races board games & snow cone machine.
Cardon Family Organization Honorees 2009
Charles “Dick” Cardon attended his first Cardon Family Reunion in 1987 just after he moved his family to Utah from Texas. The very next reunion found Dick in charge of the entire event. He was subsequently in charge of the reunion on two other occasions. Dick was one of the people who suggested forming committees instead of putting one person in charge of the whole reunion–a suggestion that has since been implemented and proven very effective. When not serving missions for the Church, Dick has been actively involved in Piedmont Family Organization (PFO) research and genealogy portions of the reunion. His constant dedication to preserving the Cardon Heritage is an inspiration to us all. Thank you for your diligent work! (Note: Dick and his brother Earl updated and reprinted the “Cardons!” book in 1995.)
Genevieve Porter Johnson was born January 132, 1920, in Logan, Utah. She was raised in Cache Valley and attended Utah State Agricultural College, where she met Ralph Johnson. They were married in 1940, and she followed Ralph to Madison, Wisconsin for his Ph.D. studies, she thought they would be back to her beloved Cache Valley soon. “Soon” was 25 years later. After Ralph completed his PhD, they eventually moved to Columbus, Ohio–gathering 3 children, by adoption along the way. From Ohio State, Ralph was offered the position of Dean of the College of Science at Utah State University. By the time they returned to Cache Valley, most of Genevieve’s family and friends were gone.
Genevieve’s greatest loves were family, music, service, and genealogy, and she was accomplished in all. She played the piano and organ, taught both to others, and accompanied Church service meetings. Over the years she wrote many music pieces. Since she wasn’t in close proximity to family members, she reached out, searched and gathered ancestral family members. The Gospel was the center of her life, and everything revolved around it.
Shortly after Ralph retired, he was called to be the Temple President of the Logan temple, and Genevieve was Temple Maton. Later, they served a proselyting mission to Switzerland. Genevieve reached out to others both in and out of the Church, including reaching both sides of the veil. She worked with Edna Taylor to put together the family history book, “Cardons! 1799-1986”, her treasure in life.
Genevieve passed away on January 11, 1993. Karen Johnson Babcock wrote, “On the day of her viewing I awoke feeling upset and even angry, I could not sort out my feelings, but they were real. Later that day, I realized it was January 13th, Mon’s 73rd Birthday. She was having a grand Birthday party. In attendance were her parents and beyond. Generations of family members were there expressing their love for her and appreciation for all of her work in their behalf—and I wasn’t invited. Temporarily lost to those of us left behind, she was now in the midst of those who had gone before. Those whom she knew and loved.”
Larry Cardon Porter: Thomas Barthelemy Cardon, the youngest son of Phillippe Cardon and Marthe Marie Tourn, was a prominent businessman in Logan. At the age of 55, Thomas contracted pneumonia and was not expected to live. “A short time before Thomas’s death, he told Ella, one of his wives, that when he was wounded in the Civil War, he was removed to a hospital and the attendants placed him with those whose who had died. As he lay there, an old soldier appeared and took him to the Spirit World. It was the most beautiful place he had ever seen. His guide conducted him just so far and then said that he would be permitted to go back into his body because of the faith and prayers of his mother. The night before he died, Thomas said, ‘The old soldier is here at my bedside. He has come to stay”‘ (Cardons! P. 32).
Thomas passed away February 15, 1898, in Logan, Utah. A little over a month later, his youngest little daughter was born. Her mother named her Thomassa, after her father. Years went by and Thomassa or Tess, eventually married and had children of her own, her youngest son being born on January 7, 1933. She gave him the name of Lawrence (known as Larry), with the middle name of Cardon, after his grandfather. This son later had 9 children of his own, and now has 37 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren, many of whom also carry on the name of Cardon and the legacy of faith given to us by our Piedmont Valley ancestors.
Many of you have similar stories. Today descendants of the Phillippe Cardon and Marthe Marie Tourn family number in the thousands. Often time and circumstances make it difficult to stay connected. We greatly appreciate the efforts of the youngest great-grandson of Phillippe Cardon, Larry Cardon Porter, for his diligent efforts in gathering the Cardon Family together. He is very instrumental in encouraging and facilitating the continuation of this reunion, even when it is difficult to do so. Larry currently serves as the President of the Cardon Family Organization.
The words of this unknown author seem to sum up Larry’s devotion to the Cardon Family:
I follow a noble father, and him I must keep in mind,
Though his form is gone, I must carry on
The name that he left behind.
It was mine on the day he gave it,
It shown as a monarch’s crown; and as fair to see
As it came to me,
It must be, when I put it down.”
The next Cardon Reunion is tentatively scheduled for August 13, 2011, In Salt Lake City, Utah. See Cardon Family Website for future details: www.cardonfamilies.org . Boyd Cardon will likely be the Reunion Chairperson.