Blessing #42 My Father-in-Law

I've been wanting to post this man as a blessing for a while, but Fathers Day came and went, his birthday would have been a good time, but it didn't happen.  So, I thought since today is Veteran's Day, this would be a great time to honor Samuel Lyle Pollock.

Growing up, he was called "Lyle".   I still hear some people call him this, but......

after he left home he started to be called Sam.  He served a mission in New York and opened up the Bronx and was key in getting Spanish speaking missionaries in there.  He was known as one of the best missionaries there.  When he got home he married one of his mission companion/roommate at college John Oleson's sister, LaRae, in the Salt Lake Temple.

Two months after they were married, and while he was in his first year of Law School, he was drafted into the Vietnam War.  He received a blessing from his father before he left saying that if he would keep the commandments as he had been taught, he would not receive a scratch in combat.

He had many combat stories that are amazing to hear, most are of combat experiences that should have killed him, but was spared.  He earned several medals, including 2 silver stars and 1 bronze.

After coming home, he and LaRae started their family (my Sam being the oldest).  They ended up having 9 wonderful children.

When I came into the family, 16 years ago, he had written and produced several songs and put them on tape, and later made another series of songs and put them on CD about the Vietnam War.  They were made to help those who were Vietnam Vets and were having a hard time because of it.  I never knew much about the war, because I was born at that time, but learned a lot through those songs.  What an inspired man.  I have heard story after story on how those songs have help men in pain, even 30 some years after the war. 

He lost his wife, LaRae,  7 years ago due to cancer, leaving him to raise his two youngest sons, Steven and David alone.  He has done a fabulous job.

Steven, Nick, Clint, Sam, Kenny, David

Dana, Sam L, Kelli, Megan

He also has been very involved with bringing in-active members and families back to the church.  He has taught Stake Presidents and even some of the Quorum of the Twelve his formula, and it has been a great success.

Sam loves fishing.  That is my Sam's favorite memories with his father (some not so fondly..... lots of walking).  When he is not fishing, he is working at the Rock Shop at Bryce Canyon or out finding petrified wood, cutting it in slabs, polishing it up, and selling it.

When Sammy and Jackson were young, my Sam would tell them the bed time stories that he was told growing up.  When dad heard about this, he decided to make a tape of all the stories he had told his kids.  My kids have listened to that tape over and over for 10 years now.  They love listening to "Grandpa's tape".  

Sam is such a wonderful grandfather, making each child seem like they are the one and only.  He is a wonderful father, and father-in-law.  I lost my father at 16 years old.  When I married into this family, it felt great to have a father again.  I look up to this man with great respect and awe.  I am very BLESSED to have him in my life!

(I know this post doesn't do justice, but I had to try)