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by Reed Mackley A Real Family
by J. Reed Mackley
Leon and Juanita Fowers say that happiness and love are overflowing benefits of a large family. They are also very aware that there is no such thing as a problem free family. Juanita says that she was born in California, grew up in Iowa and then came to Utah as an 18 year old with her parents. Her observation of her neighbor’s families in Utah made her want to follow their religious beliefs and that caused great concern by her parents. The parents told her she would have to leave home if she made that decision. One day as she was working as a dental assistant, she met a patient who heard of her difficult choice and invited her to communicate with his younger brother, Leon, who was serving at that time as a full time missionary in the Western states Mission. That started a relationship that later matured into a very happy wonderful family of 12 children.
Leon had grown up in a family of six children with a very close relationship with his father. Leon remembers that his father took Leon with him to work regularly and whenever possible. The family farm in Hooper had been lost during the great depression and his father had taken employment wherever possible, working for 17 years at the LDS Church Bishop’s store house and Cannery where Leon was able to accompany his father often.
After Leon and Juanita were married, they were living in Ogden until they found a small two bedroom home for sale in Pleasant View on 3600 North and 950 West. Soon, they had eight children and needed more room so they added another 2000 square feet to the home. There was an older gentleman named Lawrence Harris who was selling his land of which the Fowers family purchased a five acre piece. The piece was landlocked so a good neighbor, Paul Cragun, gave them a sixty foot easement across his land to access their five acres. Leon says they enjoyed the land mostly as a hobby but began growing, peaches, corn, tomatoes, and raspberries.
By this time Leon and Juanita had 12 children and had been getting advice that if they didn’t stop they would not have time to do the fun things in life. Leon says he loved having children and always wanted just one more. Juanita says she stayed home to take care of the children and make sure they all did their work. The children worked on the five acres and enjoyed playing in the neighbors trees and riding motorcycles. Juanita says she was always able to dress the family very well but many of the clothes were hand-me-downs from more wealthy relatives and friendly neighbors. She mentioned that as one of the sons needed a suit for his ordination as a deacon, she got into a box that had been given to her by the Lamar Jensen family and there in the box was the perfect suit.
Eventually the five acres was converted into a subdivision now containing 8 homes. Leon said that he barley broke even on the subdivision but the family all had some great opportunities to work together. Leon worked twelve hours a day on one job and then later was working two eight hour jobs while Juanita was at home with the children.
Juanita and Leon revel in the great association they have as a family which enjoys getting together and supporting each other even now, although all are in their own homes with the exception of the youngest son who is contemplating getting married soon. Juanita's aging mother is now living with them. Leon is still working as a bus driver and says he really enjoys it because he has developed such a love for the disabled children who are his passengers.
Leon and Juanita are agreed that their family brings them a great measure of joy and have developed the conviction that even though children do not always do everything right, a full measure of love at home and patience will see them all through to great success. The have noticed that the children give great support to each other even now. Leon is convinced that families should work together rather than look for a bail-out.
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