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Tributes
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Dallas White
Well reading like a Western novel Dr. Wes' memorial is at high noon for us on the West coast. The main thing that stands out to me is friendship. Through thick and through thin Wes was a wonderful friend to the us at the "White House". Whether it was the Democratic "BBQ Chicken" dinner at the San Pasqual Ranch, or just having family get togethers at the ranch or at our house, Wes and Jody always were friends that worked hard and played hard. Fond Memories are: Having a bloody chicken, freshly decapitated, thrown over the top of me at the Democratic Party 4th of July BBQ, as us kids chased them around the yard. The time us kids were eating dinner at the Cebada Canyon ranch and I was told that there was a dead cat stored in the freezer, where the dinner we were eating had come from. I promptly announced I "was full" and didn't eat anymore. The time Wes was driving with Dan & me to the Santa Barbara Fair to take care of animals and Wes cut someone off at a 4 way stop. Wes honked the horn and cussed at this guy, only to be corrected by Dan that it was his fault. Wes replied, "I know, but if you honk and wave your fist, it makes them think it was their fault". And there was the not-so-fond memory of our teenage years when one of the Marshall kids (not Dan and Matt wasn't born yet) started raiding the liquor cabinet when there was a sleep over of several of us kids. Realizing the stealth and sleuth of teenagers was nothing for the quick observation skills of Dr. Wes, a certain red head broke quickly to Wes' inquiry as to who had gotten into his liquor. I was saved by Wes' own observation when he realized Howie was nowhere in the guilty crowd and focused on the one who was more hungover than the rest of us!! Getting back to more of the fond memories, I will end with Wes' passion for games, particularly cards as a way to get the kitchen clean after a big meal. As I think back, I don't really remember a time when Wes loss. Can anyone else help me with this? Maybe it was because if I won, I would be back outside playing with Dan and whatever crew had assembled for that evening. Love to Jody, Kerri, Dan, and Matt for the great friendship and wonderful memories! Miss you greatly Wes!! Love from Dallas and the whole White House Clan!
Susan Fleszar
Mark and I remember the first time we were waiting to meet Wes and Joan and family when we were in Colorado for Sara and Matt's wedding. We weren't quite sure what they looked like as we watched people come into the room. After a while we saw a gentleman come into to the room with a cowboy hat on and figured correctly it was Wes. Wish we could have spent more time with him and the family.
Patty Carlson
Lifelong memories aren't easy to share, just because of the sheer volume, so I'll just touch on some of the highlights and fondest memories of my wonderful Uncle Wes, and let you use your imagination. One of my earliest memories is the 14-hour Monopoly game in Malott, followed over the years and across several states by raucous games of Hearts and Oh Hell. No one had more fun winning than Uncle Wes. Then there was the trip from Denver to Ekalaka the summer I was 13.....Wes, Aunt JoAn, newborn Kerri, me and their huge German Shepherd, crammed in their beloved VW Bug for over seven hours. Wouldn't have missed it for the world! Oh, and the summer in Kamloops when I watched Uncle Wes pull a calf and swore I would NEVER have children. He got a good chuckle out of that, but he got a good chuckle out of most things!!! Following that adventure was part of a summer in Lompoc when Uncle Wes asked if I'd like to help him with a surgery on a dog. He had to escort me out into the fresh air after the first cut, laughing all the way. Years later, he generously let me use his pick-up and camper to spend a few days on the beach near Lompoc, completely forgetting he had neglected to fill the propane tank. He couldn't hide his amusement when I came driving in his driveway in the middle of the night after three days. "Happy Trails," Uncle Wes. It's been pure pleasure having you as my uncle! I love you! Patty
Helen Harris
Kerri first introduced me to Wes and Jody when I was still a relatively "newbie" veterinarian. It wasn't long before I became a part of the West Valley Vet clinic "family". I was immediately impressed by the quality of medicine they strived to practice and it certainly was reflected in their long-time clientele and tight-knit staff. Wes (and Jody) was such a supportive boss. He encouraged me to join the mid-coast veterinary association board (following in his footsteps) and was always interested in what new things were on the horizon in veterinary medicine. He wasn't afraid to venture outside the familiar - - a trait I admired as it's easy to get stuck in old ways of doing things when one has been in practice for awhile. Wes was a real "down to earth" kind of guy. He made people feel at home both in and outside the work setting. He had a smile that went ear to ear. I remember one year bringing my then toddler daughter to a Christmas party at Wes and Jody's Lompoc home. My daughter was a bit of a fuss bucket those days, and Wes noticed her getting a little stormy and walked over with that big smile (and some toys) which immediately diffused the impending deluge. Thank goodness! I will really miss that kind man! I will always be grateful for the years I got to work with and get to know Dr. Wes. He was a positive influence - - many happy memories - - Helen
Marby Hambright
Dear Dr Wes (!) You were such a force of nature for the Mid Coast Veterinary Medical Association and the Central Coast. I got to work with you when you were President of the MCVMA - as well as doing relief work at your veterinary clinic in Lompoc. Your clients were tenacious and everyone loved Dr Wes and Jody. Your staff were all ‘long termers' - another testimonial to their ‘bosses' - the clinic provided a very progressive and personal aura when I worked there. You were always pushing to ‘break the budget' of the MCVMA - and strive to provide the best Continuing Education available to our Veterinary Association - even if it meant giving our Treasurer - Jack Proper... ‘anxiety' (!) And I'm sure Dr Jody spent many late nights composing The Needle - our MCVMA newsletter - with her genuine flair. A favorite memory was the Surprise Holiday Party we pulled off at the Madonna Inn where we ‘toasted and roasted' - the Marshalls before their move to Montana - Kerri came down from the north - and I remember the look on your face - when she handed you a beer... And The Bill Nobles ( a WSU Classmate) also came down from the Bay Area to participate. It was a fun and wonderful celebration of a ‘fun' and wonderful man. Happy Trails Dr Wes - you will be more than missed - on this earthly... environ. But... you had an amazing run and I feel blessed that I had the chance to know you - Marby ❣️
Kerri Marshall
Poem: Wes's poem prepared together in the summer of 2019 with Kerri for the Alzada Cowboy Poetry Festival from conversations with Kerri - his words CAPITALIZED RINGING CHURCH BELLS call me from my sleep I WOKE UP AND FELL OFF MY TRACTOR I feel like I'm RUNNING a very long RACE My marriage to JoAn was a large factor I miss my roots in Omak Apple Country The SUICIDE RACE every year But our family made it so far-all of us To fly fish and have another beer I taught my daughter THE CANADIAN TWO-STEP It was funny to see her so mad She refused to dance with me ever again But she still says "I love you Dad" I'm wearing my CANADIAN WHALE SWEATER It fits loosely as I am thinner The Campbell River it flows right through me And the Gang Ranch is making me dinner MONGO CAME BACK ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE FIELD That horse was always so fun Playing hide-n-go seek in the dunes of SURF beach with my freckled face youngest and smiling first son TOMMY, the most stubborn horse of them all Won my heart as I flipped through the air I landed on my feet like a cat And from then on each ride was a dare As you know CANADA tugs on my heart And HOT SPRINGS are in my favorite DREAMS I know where I'll be when I leave this old world I'll be soakin' and jokin' in RADIUM's streams In a boat that was more than a LITTLE SCARY My kids took me FISHING ON THE BIGHORN RIVER I protested releasing the fish I had caught But never fessed up being a chicken liver After our day in the boats we played Oh Hell And Matt and I had to DO THE DISHES while Dan laughed about his "soapy hands" and Kerri got all of her wishes RUFFLING FEATHERS was always my game, MARY used to get mad at my ribbing Sometimes I wish I could have toned it down But I had so much fun ad libbing "NEVER LET A DOG DIE WITHOUT STEROIDS", I'd say And we laughed so hard that we cried Kerri brought that up just the other day And you had to admit - it worked for me Now my smile cheers up any who come and say hi And lights up the room where I sit all day "YESTERDAY", How I loved that song And Yes, All my troubles are so far away Well now I dropped the phone again, But thank you so much for your call The Tunk Creek trout stream is around the bend And Charro is waiting for me to play ball Epitaph: I called Dad on Oct 10, 2019 the day before he died. He was upbeat and happy, no sign of the rough seas that took him away at 2:05 am the next day. His last words to me were: "WELL I'M GUNNA GO WALKIN' KERRI, AND I LOVE YOU" I bought walkin' boots that day at Jedlicka's in Los Olivos. I walked around the town that dad would have said was "FULL OF THE ONE PERCENT"
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