The Men in Back: The Sequal

Last week we read about the sages who occupy the back row of the chapel. Art Jones and Ray Watson take a back seat to no one, but they are faithfully in position every Sunday, and have been there for years. Guardians of Huntington Beach 1st Ward and viewers of the living history that is our ward.

Brother Ray Watson (Red) was born in 1926 in the town of Oronogo Missouri. He describes Oronogo as an old mining town located in western Missouri. The name he says comes from the residents using ore as a form of currency. You either had ore, or it was a no go. The name stuck...Oronogo. Although Ray never worked in the mines, you could sense pride when he talked of that heritage. His father was a Hoister Man at a local mine, which meant he worked in the upper levels of the mine and operated the hoisting cranes that brought the product out of the earth. Lead and zinc were gold in Oronogo.

Red, as you might guess, was born with a full head of bright red hair. He says that if you are born with red hair, you have to be ready to act like you have red hair. He faults his red hair and his Irish heritage for his hot temper. He credits the Gospel and life experience in helping him control his temper. He didn't give any examples of his hot temper, and quite frankly I was afraid to ask. At one point while I was interviewing Brother Watson, I asked if I could take his picture. He said that I better take the picture quick because he was having a good hair day. Tomorrow he is apt to have even less hair than he has today. That makes today a good hair day.

At age 16 Ray joined the work force. His first job was in Wichita Kansas working for Boeing as a Riveter. He worked there for about a year, and then joined the US Navy. He was stationed in Oakland, Ca for a short stint, and met the love of his life, Mary Rose. Ray and Mary Rose moved to the City of Westchester (near LAX) where he worked as a painter's apprentice. He also worked for the US Government as a store keeper for Civil Aeronautics.

While living in Westchester, he was set apart as a High Priest by Elder Delbert L. Stapley of the Quorum of the Twelve. Later he served in the Bishopric and was set apart by Elder Howard W. Hunter. A very interesting thing happened the day that Elder Hunter set apart Brother Watson. That day Elder Hunter also set apart Brother Watson's friend Thail Denny as a member of the Bishopric. While setting Brother Denny apart, Elder Hunter stated that in the pre-existence, Brother Denny was a close and intimate friend of the Prophet Joseph Smith. After the blessing, Elder Hunter commented that he did not know why he was prompted to say that. Brother Denny told Elder Hunter that it was an answer to his prayers. Brother Denny had thoughts that he was a close friend of our Prophet Joseph Smith, but was unsure why he was having these feelings. He prayed that he would know if these thoughts were true.

When asked what brought him to Huntington Beach, Brother Watson told of how in 1964 he went to his friend Harold Smith's new house in HB. They later went to go look at the model homes for fun...then he and Mary Rose picked out a model, and purchased a home. It was from this home that his two sons George and Raymond Jr. later served our country in the military and served the Lord in the South West British and Cleveland Ohio Missions.

While a member of the Huntington Beach first Ward, Ray has been a Stake Clerk, Ward Clerk, Assistant Ward Clerk, Hight Priest Group Leader, Membership Clerk, Assistant Ward Clerk, and Assistant Membership Ward Clerk where he currently serves.

I asked Brother Watson if he had any old pictures that I could scan and include in this article. He asked me to meet him at the chapel sometime after 4pm. Ray has a firm Sunday routine that has kept him occupied for years. His beloved companion passed away in 2000, and ever since, he goes to visit her grave every Sunday at the Harbor Lawn Mt. Olive Cemetery. He clearly misses his eternal companion and is grateful for their sealing at the Meza Arizona Temple.

Next time you quickly walk by the back row in a scurry to make it to your favorite pew, take time to say hi to the brothers in the back row. They have lived long and well, and are worthy of our admiration and thanks. What is the secret of a long life? My guess is the answer lies in the smiles of these young men who have matured long in cheerful service.

The Men in Back

Many of you may often wonder, "What's the story behind the guys sitting in the last pew." Some of our most humble and wise members have reserved seating in that pew; earned through faithful attendance every Sunday. You have most likely encountered Brother Art Jones, if not in person, then mentioned in conversation. He joined the Huntington Beach 1st ward with his wife Dolores and son in 1963. Brother Jones grew up in Idaho. He is a military man and served our country in World War II. When asked what brought him to California, he matter-of-factly stated, "my car brought me." All joking aside, it was the Airbase that brought him to California. He lived in San Gabriel Valley with his family, until his son started having lung problems at about age 9 due to the smog. It was decided that Huntington Beach, with its fresh ocean air, was a good place to live as it was also near an Airbase. Dolores was not a member of the church when they married and Art comments that it was not through any effort of his own that she was converted. Nevertheless, she was converted about a year prior to their move to Huntington Beach.

When asked about his fondest callings, he comments that he has been the Ward Clerk for ages (about 11 years) and prior to that he was the Ward Secretary for ages (about 10 years). He also was called to serve in two Stake Missions. Brother Jones recalls when there were 1000 members in the ward in the 17th street building (maybe he is trying to tell us something... get to work on your member missionary skills). For some time he was also in charge of gathering fast offerings. In the beginnings of the HB 1st ward, because the boundaries reached so far (out toward Long Beach, Garden Grove and Santa Ana), it was late evening before everyone returned with the fast offerings.

Brother Jones has fascinating ancestry, many of whom are great examples of stalwart and faithful servants of the Lord. He remembers his grandparents, who lived to see their 100th birthday when Brother Jones was an adult. They crossed the plains from Nauvoo to Salt Lake. His grandmother was LDS, however, his grandfather was not converted until some time after they crossed the plains. She must have been a woman of great influence to bring her husband along on such a journey. Brother Jones' great grandfather on his mothers side was a body guard for Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. Brother Jones shares the story of the trials that were encountered by Brigham Young after the martyrdom of Joseph Smith. The saints were having difficulty knowing with a surety that Brigham Young was to be the Prophet. His great grandfather was present in a meeting during which all who were present saw the Prophet Joseph in Brigham Young's countenance, thereby sealing their knowledge of his true calling by the Lord.

Brother Jones tries to present himself as uninteresting. However, the ward family knows better. The Huntington Beach 1st Ward knows that he has been instrumental in building the foundation of the ward. We look forward to seeing him in that back pew each Sunday. He is such a great example to all; rain or shine he is there.

A Touch of History

This is taken from the dedication pamphlet of the HB Stake Center in 1980. Thanks to Bro. Paul Fely for archiving this historical document.

The church in Southern California dates back to the early 1870s. However, it was in the early 1930s that noticeable growth started to develop in Orange County.

The Huntington Beach Stake came into existence on June 5, 1966, when Elder Ezra Taft Benson presided over the division of the Garden Grove Stake.

Conway W. Nielsen was called as the first stake president with Noble J. Waite as first counselor and Lyle Hanna as second counselor. The new Huntington Beach Stake had approximately 3,200 member and consisted of five wards as follows:

• HB 1 Bishop Max Nelson
• HB 2 Bishop Justin Eccles
• HB 3 Bishop Kaye Nelson
• WM 1 Bishop James Denos
• WM 3 Bishop Karl Allred

The stake grew over the next ten plus years to twelve wards with approximately 7,000 members. On January 13, 1977, Elder Bruce R. McConkie presided over the division of the Huntington Beach Stake formulating the new Huntington Beach North Stake, with Wesley C. Woodhouse called as the new stake president and William D. Bawden and Norman E. Rich as first and second counselors respectively. This new stake was comprised of approximately 3,600 members with six wards as follows:

• HB 2 Bishop Linden Orgill
• HB 5 Bishop Maurice Baysa
• HB 6 Bishop LeGrand Fletcher
• WM 1 Bishop Gerald Anderson
• WM 2 Bishop Wendell Wells
• WM 3 Bishop Dale Tanner

Val W. Palmer was called as the new stake president of the Huntington Beach California Stake, with Vernon L. Lockhart as first counselor and D. Thomas Borgquist as second counselor. Carlos Beckstead was called as stake patriarch.

At the time of division, the stake consisted of approximately 3,400 members with six wards as follows:

• HB 1 Bishop Gary Nelson
• HB 3 Bishop Paul Johansson
• HB 4 Bishop Spencer F. Hatch
• HB 7 Bishop Bruce Miller
• FV 1 Bishop Byron Campbell
• FV 2 Bishop Edward McLaughlin

Prior to the division of the stake, a vigorous building program was already under way. At the time of the division, the six wards of the Huntington Beach California Stake unanimously agreed to fulfill their prior commitment to sustain the Huntington Beach North Stake building program. The balance of the $100,000 was raised in approximately six months, and a check for the total amount was presented to President Wesley C. Woodhouse, thus releasing the stake from any further obligations.

With our two existing chapels housing eight wards (including two ward from the H.B. North Stake) we immediately embarked on an aggressive building program of our own. With the total support of the bishops, we chose to simultaneously raise fund to build a new stake center, refurbish our two existing chapels, and purchase the future building site on Bushard Street. The stake members responded to the challenge with great faith and determination to accomplish the "impossible."

Numerous faith-promoting stories of great sacrifice have been shared with stake leaders. One such story was told of a single mother with three small children who, at the insistence of her young children, give to her bishop their entire Christmas savings. Their great faith was not unrewarded, however. Santa Claus visited their home on Christmas day with presents overflowing.

These types of spiritual experienced brought about by great sacrifice have been repeated over and over again. Almost without exception, the entire funds for the new stake center were received by personal individual donations and sacrifice.

One exception to individual contribution was the Census Project carried our by the bishopric of the Huntington Beach 4th Ward and participated in by the five other wards in our stake. This inspired project alone raised a total of $100,000.

The Legacy is Built One Member at a Time

Gary and Mary Nelson recall that in the early 60's much of Huntington Beach consisted of tomato fields and the major exit on the freeway was in Long Beach. Noble Waite was the first bishop of the ward, and Gary's father, Max Nelson, was the the second bishop. In the beginning, the ward met at the HB Parks and Recreation facility. A tin shed was rented for Sunday meetings. Members would arrive to the shed early Sunday morning to clean out beer cans and set up chairs. They fondly remember that the bishop's office was literally a broom closet, and that during the week, Bishop Max Nelson's garage was used to conduct ward business. He had a chair and a desk in a small partition of his garage where many members were called to serve.

The first meeting house was built in 1968 and was dedicated in 1969. In that time, the members were asked to pay all the funds for the building of the chapel. "Sacrifice Dinners" were held in order to raise money for this purpose. Members were not allowed to leave the dinner until the goals were reached. In one night $20,000 was raised. The members gave up vacations, new cars, and going out to dinner among other things to further the building of the kingdom. Our current stake center was erected in 1979, and was also financed by "Sacrifice Dinners."

At one point in the HB 1st history, there were 310 children in the primary before they split. Sister Nelson relates that the biggest problem they encountered was the pre primary meeting during the week. Handling that many children became a challenge for the primary organization. Often times when the parents came to pick-up the kids, it was after dark. The parents would line up their cars around the building to pick up their children. As each car drove to the back door, they would announce "I'll take two Braithewaites" or "I'll take two Wakehams." Due to the sheer number of children, they had kids stashed in classrooms everywhere. Classes met in the kitchen, in the baptismal font waiting area etc. This was the Church organization at it's best.

Bishop Nelson expresses fondness over the evolution of reverence by the Aaronic Priesthood. The young men used to wear aloha shirts to prepare and pass the Sacrament. Bishop Nelson sent a letter to the parents asking for their help in dressing the young men in shirts and ties. From that point on, the young men of the Aaronic Priesthood have carried on this tradition.

Sister Nelson remembers well the Relief Society Ward Bizarre Bazars Activities. During this time, the sisters would make things out of old margarine containers, crocheted dolls and other house hold items and sell these things to each other in order to raise money for the Relief Society Budget.

The Nelson joke that they have many found memories of current ward members when they were unruly children (Jimmy Wakeham). They have many more entertaining stories that "will have to go to the grave with them."