“Gerald & LaRae Thomas 1954”
November 14, 1954, photographer unknown
The photograph I chose is of my paternal grandparents, but the subject I wish to focus on is my grandfather, Gerald, whom I never had the chance to meet in this life.
All I know of him is brief comments from my dad and records found on FamilySearch.org. Gerald was born 1929 in Duchesne, Utah. Unknown to me prior to my search of his records, he had four siblings. From what I have been told in the past, Gerald, when upset, could go days without speaking a word to the one who angered him, including his children. He had a love for fixing cars, drove a semi for work, enjoyed cold beers, was a child at heart, and, most of all, had a deep, but quiet love for my grandmother, LaRae, doing all he could to support her.
When I was deemed old enough, I was informed that my grandfather had committed suicide at the age of 62. Because of his tragic death, he is rarely talked about, making him an even greater mystery to me. When I see this photograph, my heart aches and I feel a deep desire to know all I can about him.
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