Pappy - Tried and True, Through and Through

Yesterday we had the privilege of gathering as a family to celebrate the life of my grandfather, Royden G. Derrick. As a former member of the presidency of the Seventy for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, my grandfather had close friendships with prominent members of the church, so we were fortunate to have in attendance at the funeral Elder Russel M. Nelson, Elder M. Russel Ballard, and President Thomas S. Monson. And while a funeral is never welcome, a gathering to celebrate the accomplishments of one's life is.

My father and uncles chose for the topics of their addresses a few of Pappy's quotes that demonstrate his great character:

"The key to happiness is doing what you should do when you should do it."

"Service is its own reward."

"The key to success is making up your mind where you are going; then working hard to get there."

We also had the wonderful opportunity to meet President Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, and hear him speak. Particularly memorable was what he asked the grandchildren and great-grandchildren to remember of their grandfather:

"Royden Derrick was tried and true, through and through."

My children will likely remember very little of Pappy - his wheel chair, his delight in seeing them, and his smile full of innocence and glee. At the end of his life, Pappy became as Christ admonishes all of us to be, as a child. He became truly perfect. And though they didn't really know him, they will inherit his legacy, his drive for success and happiness in life. They will always know he was tried and true, through and through.