2 Dec 1901 – 3 Jan 1978
2nd Great Grandson of Philip Cardon
Great Grandson of Louis Phillip Cardon
Grandson of Joseph Samuel Cardon
Son of Joseph Elmer Cardon
A MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH PHILLIP CARDON
By Boyd Louis Cardon
6 Jan 1978
The events, experiences and history of my dad could fill a book. I will give put a preface, a synopsis of his life. The book of life of every person contains the common ingredients of mortal birth, education, vocation, hobbies, spiritual growth, a love story, trials and tragedies, and an appointment with death. How well the book is written depends upon the quality of life of the author. Some books are tragedies, or comedies, or true dramas of life. Dad’s life was a true drama.
Dad was the oldest child in his family (Joseph Elmer & Lucinda Hurst Cardon). He was born in the Mormon colony of Colonial Dublán, Galeana, Chihuahua, Mexico on 2 Dec 1901. The eleven years of his life he enjoyed the serenity of Colony life. He liked to ride with his father to the Hurst’s saw mill to get lumber. His father would let him hold the reins and drive the four horse team. In the first grade of elementary school, he rode a saddle pony to school. In the second grade, he and his sister Ella, rode to school in a two wheeled cart
When political unrest developed in Mexico, the Americans were asked to evacuate. My dad and his family went to El Paso, Texas for a short time. Then they moved to Binghampton, near Tucson, Arizona and obtained a 40 acre farm.
Dad’s education was interrupted often with the fall and spring chores. He never completed attending all 12 years of primary and secondary school. He did save his money and attended Gila College in Thatcher, Arizona. While there, he prepared himself to get a high school diploma. I can remember my dad always encouraging us to get all the education that we could. I can remember him reading by the night light in his room. He would read the encyclopedias. Certainly, his children have followed his example and counsel. All of his children have had post high school education leading them to vocational diplomas or academic degrees.
Dad’s vocation was much determined by the available jobs. He worked as a dairy hand, a welder, a truck driver, and an employee of the Vanadium Corporation of America. He was always able to provide for his family the basic necessities. He could not tolerate idleness. He always needed to be doing something. When he visited me in Rexburg two years ago, he spaded my garden for me. I know that being bed ridden for the past year has been a real burden to him.
His hobbies included gardening. He had the best garden in the neighborhood. He liked to build. He enjoyed woodworking. He made tables, bookcases, lamps and toys to be enjoyed by others (puzzles too). He had remodeled and built most of our home in Durango, La Plata, Colorado. He liked to travel and see new places. He visited his birthplace in Mexico. He went to Mexico City. He liked to collect rocks. He enjoyed hiking in the mountains. He was a excellent hunter and marksman. The winter meat for our table was provided by his bounty of deer, elk or bear meat
He enjoyed sports. He was agile and fast on his feet. He liked track, baseball, basketball and wrestling. At one track meet in high school, dad had sprained his ankle. He had one more event to compete in – the broad jump. He had jumped twice but was unsuccessful in beating his opponents. On his third try, he said a silent prayer. He ran to the mark and leaped. He won the jump by a foot. Dad was always active until his physical condition didn’t permit him.
He had a sense of humor. He enjoyed a good story or joke. He told a good story. 1 remember his stories of a bear following him on a hunt and of lassoing a deer that was stranded in a lake. At the wedding reception of his two daughters, Ellen and Anita, he put some rubber worms in the punch.
His favorite foods were bananas, wheat bread and ice cream. He always enjoyed eating a bowl of ice cream. There was always some in the freezer.
He lived at Colonia Dublán, Mexico (1901-1912); Binghampton, Arizona (1913-1925); Virden, New Mexico (1925-1929); Kirtland, New Mexico (1929-1935); Allison, Colorado (1935-1942); Trinidad & Craig, Colorado (1942-1943); Chicago, Illinois (1943); Durango, Colorado (1943-1976); and Orem, Utah (1976-1978).
His love story began when he was working at a dairy farm in Kirtland, New Mexico in 1932. Mom was working at the same dairy. She would get his breakfast, help with the milking, and help change the irrigation water. Dad enjoyed her cooking and company. He did not want to be serious with her, because he wanted to return to Gila College in Thatcher, Arizona. However, he found himself wanting to be with her. He gave her his Gila College pin as a promise pin. The happiest moment in his life was having Mom sealed to him in the Mesa Temple. Through their love, they invited eight children to join their home. Together, they have taught their children faith in the Lord. Their teachings have included work, study and prayer. To illustrate dad’s love for his family, I tel1 the fo11owing story:
Dad had joined the signal corp during World War II (1942). He was transferred to Chicago, Illinois (May 1943). His family remained behind. He missed his family and wife so much that he quit the signal corp and returned to Durango, Colorado.
Said He: ”We have thanked the Lord many times for sending us such wonderful and obedient spirits to brighten our home and make life worthwhile. As each of our children came into our lives, heaven has become more complete. We thank God every day for sending such wonderful spirits to us to raise and to have throughout all eternity together with our grandchildren.”
He loved his grandchildren. He took pride in teaching the toddlers how to walk.
Dad’s love story included love for the Lord. He had a great feeling and reverence for spiritual things. I never heard him profane the name of God. He served in the Sunday School presidency, the scouting program, genealogy teacher, a Stake Missionary, and a home teacher. He was honest in his tithes and offerings. He was always willing to respond to cash contributions to the building fund. Often he was called upon to administer to the sick. In his quiet and unassuming way he served the Lord. He had felt the promptings of the spirit many times. He tells of one time that the spirit told him to run his truck into the ditch as he descended a dugway. The voice came to him three times. He obeyed. At the bottom of the dugway was a blind comer. Two elderly women were in the car. Had he not listened, he would have crashed into the car and injured himself or one of the women.
Dad always loved his fellowmen. All who knew him, liked him. I have never known anyone who didn’t like him. When I was cashing a check as a boy, the owner of the store asked me, “Who is your dad?” “Joe Cardon”, I responded. “If you are his son, I can trust you”, he said.
Dad had his share of trials and tragedies. While attending college, he lost all of his money during the depression. When he was working in a flour mill, he lost portions of four fingers on his right hand. He maintained that this was a blessing because it caused him to seek other and better employment. In 1974, dad and mom were miraculously spared when their camper left the highway and was totally demolished. Dad was deeply saddened by the death of two of his grandchildren.
Dad had passed mortalities tests. He has gone through the portals of death into the door of eternity. His spirit awaits the glorious resurrection. .
May these brief sketches from his life give us new dedication and enlightenment to write well our books of life. May our books be a true drama of meeting life’s tests and challenges well and not comedies or tragedies.