Tomorrow 2/13/2010 is Ray’s 30th anniversary of working with the same company; this is a HUGE milestone and I am so proud of him and his amazing work ethic.
Ray actually started working at Little America when they were building the high rise he was working for C. Godwin Company and they had been contracted to paint the new building. We had only been married a short time and we were expecting our first child we had no idea how important this job would be for our future and for the future of our family.
Ray is a hard worker and he is fastidious in his work ethic. He prides himself on doing a good job and on the fact that he was trained by the best – his dad. Ray had some experience working for a hotel he had worked on the remodel of The Hotel Utah (now the Joseph Smith Building) when we were dating; he enjoyed being able to work with high quality products and was very proud of the finished product.
When the high rise was completed Ray was offered a job at Little America – he struggled with this decision because he was a Union member. He was not just another member he was the Vice President of the Union and he administered the Journeyman test to the apprentices. His dad had helped to form the Union here in Utah so this also made the decision to leave the Union and work for Little America and Earl Holding very difficult. We discussed and prayed about the decision for a long time – Ray talked to his dad and was given the advice to stay in the Union. It was a difficult struggle to make the final decision but after much deliberation we decided that working for Little America would be a more stable situation and with a brand new baby we needed some additional stability in our lives.
I’m not sure if I would have made the same decision after I found out that Ray would be traveling for his new job. Earl Holding owned a lot of properties that needed constant care and attention. Before long Ray was traveling to Little America, Wyoming, The Westgate in San Diego, and Sun Valley, Idaho. We also realized that we were expecting our second child. I didn’t know how difficult it would be to raise my children with a long distance husband and father. There were many long and lonely nights, I had to rely on Ray’s family and my family for much needed support. Ray’s dad replaced a water heater, towed our car to the repair shop, fixed the air conditioner, and helped me with lots of the repairs and upkeep of our home. My dad advised me in financial matters, and both our families helped with the girls and gave me some much needed R&R when things really got tough.
I know that Ray too experienced a lot of loneliness and he struggled missing important family events and working some very long hours. It was often very difficult but those late night phone calls, cards and letters, and wonderful reunions helped our relationship to grow stronger and gave us the drive to strengthen our family bonds.
As the years have passed and Ray has continued working for the Holdings we have witnessed a lot of changes. Sun Valley experienced an amazing facelift – the Inn and Lodge were remodeled, the condos were upgraded, and now there is a new Amphitheater that Ray was involved in building. He was excited to be involved with the Olympics that were held here in Utah as he helped to complete the lodges and ski lifts at Snowbasin. The Grand America was another project that Ray is very proud of it is a beautiful building and the crown jewel of all the properties. Ray has been blessed to work with some wonderful, hard working individuals. Of course he has some good stories of fun and interesting experiences with people – over a 30 year period you meet all different kinds of people and it makes life very interesting.
We have truly been blessed by Ray’s decision to work for this company; Ray has always had steady work and he has been able to be involved in a company that at times has been like family. Ray has been able to provide for his family and to rub shoulders with some really great people. We have wonderful memories of these past 30 years and I am so proud of Ray and his hard work and amazing efforts. He is a great provider for me and our family and a great example to our children of the blessings that come with hard work.
Congratulations Ray!
I love you!
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