Obituary of Edward Howard Mock

EDWARD HOWARD MOCK FEBUARY 5, 1921 – JUNE 9, 2017 Edward Howard Mock is the son of Joseph Harley and Chloe Jolley Mock. He was the youngest of five children. He had two older brothers, Henry and Charley, and two older sisters, Mary and Viola. He was born on February 5, 1921 in Wingonon, OK. Dad was named after the doctor who delivered him. They lived in the Wingonon area for many years. Dad attended grade school in Wingonon and high school in Chelsea, OK where he graduated with the class of 1939. Dad worked for Harmon and Whitehill Oil Company and Roofing World Construction at the Powder Plant near Pryor, OK. Dad was drafted into the U. S. Army in October 1942 at Fort Sill, OK and assigned to Camp Gruber, OK to serve with the 339th Field Artillery, 88th Infantry Division. This was the first all draftee infantry division to enter combat in World War II. After training in the states, the division shipped out to Africa for additional training then on to Italy. Dad was assigned to HQ company of the 339th Field Artillery. His responsibility was to keep communication lines open between HQ and the field units. Dad’s group would string phone lines for miles and setup switch boards making sure the war efforts were coordinated. Dad received the Bronze Star for action taken in December 1944. A portion of the citation reads; “On or about December 5, 1944, crossing a snow-covered mountainside on foot in order to locate a break in a wire line, Sgt. Mock and another soldier had to undergo heavy enemy shelling. Having repaired the line, they took cover, only to find that the line had broken again. The two soldiers thereafter had to repair the line under shellfire, taking cover at intervals. Sgt. Mock’s high sense of responsibility and his knowledge of his work have been important to his organization.” Signed Major General Paul W. Kendall. Dad never spoke about his Bronze Star and when he did talk about the war, it wasn’t about the horror of war that he saw. He is a true patriot who loves this country. Upon returning from the war, Dad and his brother Charley, who served in the Pacific, left home and traveled to Rangely, Colorado seeking work. Both were hired by the Texas Company, later to be known as Texaco. For the next forty years Dad worked for Texaco in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Montana, and North Dakota. He worked in the following divisions and positions: as a roustabout and as a field, production and drilling foreman. Dad’s last assignment was that of a drilling foreman because the company had so few that understood drilling. Dad and Mom lived for 20 years in Maeser where they were surrounded by so many great friends. During his employment at Rangely, Dad met his sweetheart, Hughla May Stewart, who worked at a grocery store. They were married on March 2, 1947 at mom’s parents’ farm in Jensen, Utah. While living in Calpet, Wyoming, Dad found the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple and their four children, Ronald, Marsha, Michael, and Debra, were sealed to them for time and eternity. Dad’s church callings included serving in a bishopric, executive secretary, ward clerk, and high priest group secretary. Dad loved serving the Lord and taught his children the importance of service. His desire is for all his posterity to remain close to the Lord and to serve. We have great memories of vacations, camping, fishing, and family get togethers that will always remind us of Dad and Mom. On March 31, 1994 Mom, the love of his life, passed away. Dad was heartbroken as his companion of 47 years was called home. Dad continued to live in Maeser for the next four years. Dad married Ynez Moton, a childhood friend. He moved to California where Ynez lived. Ynez had one daughter, Bobbie, who has three sons; John, David, and Steve. He also gained two granddaughters, Natalie and Elizabeth. Ynez passed away on June 2, 2016 and shortly thereafter, Dad moved to Delta, Utah to live with his youngest daughter, Debra and her husband, Mike. Dad was proceeded in death by his eternal companion, Hughla, his second wife, Ynez, brothers Henry and Charley, sisters Mary and Viola, parents Joseph and Chloe Mock, and granddaughter Amanda Miles. Dad leaves behind 16 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren. His children Ronald (Linda) Mock, Marsha Huelskamp, Michael (Kathy) Mock, and Debra (Michael) Bettis and Bobbie Rodgers. Services will be held Friday June 16, 2017 at the Highland 4th Ward located at 5848 W 11000 N, Highland, Utah at 10:00 a.m. A viewing will be held from 8:45 – 9:45. After the services, Dad will be transported to Maeser, Utah where a viewing will take place at the Maeser 3rd Ward located at 2575 N 1500 W, Vernal, Utah from 6-8 p.m. Interment will take place Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Jensen Cemetery with Military rites.