William Marion Gee

Written by Marion and Mary Ellen Kerr Gee

 

William Marion Gee, son of William Erastus Gee and Mary Ellen Kerr Gee was born March 29, 1906 at Rexburg, Fremont (later became Madison) County, Idaho.  Graduated from the eighth grade of Rexburg city schools May 7, 1920. 

 

Worked on dry farms in summers. Attended high school of Ricks college 1920/24, graduated June 1924.  Took part of "George" in play "SEVEN".  Was president of deacons quorum, assistant secy. Then secy. of Sunday School in Rexburg First Ward.  Many merits in scouting.  Attended Ricks College 1924/5/6.  Was class treasurer and member of "RIXIDA" staff. 

 

Was in chorus of opera "MARTHA".  In Dec. 1926 was called on a mission to the eastern states.  Farewell party was held in Rexburg tabernacle.  Left June 2, 1927 for Salt Lake City accompanied by father.  Spent a short time there.  Reached New York Jan. 10, 1927.  Attended mission school one month, B. H. Roberts was director.  Was assigned to New Bedford, Mass., later to rural Rhode Island, Boston and again to New Bedford.  Transferred to West Virginia , labored there six months.  Released Dec. 15,1928. Visited Washington D.C. 

 

Returned home by way of southern states ,old Mexico, and California.  Reached home Jan. 15, 1929.  Taught a class in Sunday school.  Was president of M-Mens class and ward teacher.  Attended Ricks college six weeks.  In April went to Wallace, Idaho to work.  Mining unpleasant.  Family moved to Pocatello in July 1929.

 

Returned home, attended U of I Southern Branch, was second assistant superintendent of Sunday School at L.D.S. Institute.  Member of staff of "TECHNIAD" and "WICKIUP". Was on honor roll.  Worked at Driggs during summer of 1930. Attended University of Idaho Southern Branch during 1930—1931.  Was editor of Wickiup, the college yearbook.  Was on honor roll.

 

Married Helen Young Dec.,24, 1930 in Logan Temple by President Shepherd.  Gazelle Sorensen sealed. Worked in Driggs summer

 

In 1931 attended summer school at the University of Wyoming in Laramie.  Member of "SCALDS" oldest honor society on campus, also "quill club" national honorary poetry society.  Pres. of poetry club.  Excellent grades.  Editor of QUILL CLUB magazine.  Graduated June 5th

 

Graduated June 5th 1932 with bachelor of arts degree.  Grades all A's - highest honors.  Father, Mother, Merrill, and Vernon attended graduation exercises.  Returned with Helen to Pocatello.  Received high school teachers certificate for state of Idaho.  William Marion Jr. was born July 22, 1933.  Spent summer with parents.

 

Taught school in Edmunds high school‑English and history 33/34. taught a class in Sunday School and M.I.A.  Took part in M.I.A. play.  Spent summer of 34 working in Driggs.  Taught English and geography in Rexburg junior high 34/35.  Worked in Yellowstone Park summer of 35.  Taught English and other subjects in Blackfoot High School 1935‑1946. 

 

Received life certificate in August 1938. Oct. 18, 1940 our second son Anthony Linton was born in Pocatello. attended summer school at Moscow, Idaho 1937.  Taught class in M.I.A. 40/41.  Bought home, four rooms, sixteen acres, two miles north of Blackfoot.  Sold it.  Bought a forty acre farm with a six  room house, also a four room house and orchard.  Taught priesthood class 45/46.  Attended summer school at U.S.A.C. 1946.

 

September 1946 was appointed member of the faculty of Idaho State College English department.  Classes in English, journalism, American literature, and other subjects.  Broke my leg, which was in a cast for two months.  Taught classes in a wheel chair.  Lived with parents 1946/7.  Sold home in Blackfoot. 

 

Bought home in Pocatello 924 s. 4th for $12,000.  Family moved down Sept. 1947. Helen taught in city schools.  Attended summer school at U. of Oregon at Eugene 1948.  Taught at I.S.U. 1946‑1956.  Spent most of summer 1949 at Lava.  With Anthony spent three weeks with Ivin and family in Lander, Wyo. Summer 1951.  Some English classes held at naval ordinance plant.  Son William graduated from Pocatello High School May 21, 1952.  Entered B.Y.U. In Sept.

 

August 23, 1952 with brother and wives gave a family dinner at Bannock hotel honoring parents golden wedding anniversary Sept.10. we presented them with gold rings and a new record player.  Aug. 24 family dinner at Merrill's‑farewell for Lynn and family before their returning to College Station Texas.

 

Son William attended B.Y.U. 1952/3/4 called on a mission to South Africa‑attended mission school.  Testimonial Dec.4.  Contributions generous.  Left Salt Lake Dec. 11.  Sailed from New York Dec. 14 on S.S. Queen Elizabeth.  Spent few days in London.  Reached mission Jan. 6, 1955.  Returned Feb. 1957.  Toured Europe.  Many colored pictures. 

 

Helen and I spent a week with Ivin and Pearl at Lander, Aug. 1955.  Aug 1956 with Helen, Tony, Lynn and family, Merrill and family, father and mother spent a few days in Island Park.  1957—spent three days in Yellowstone Park with Parents, Tony, Merrill's and Lynn's families.  Helen's recent surgery prevented her going. Taught summer school at college 1957.  Regular session 1957-1962.

 

Taught elders and Aaronic (senior) in 6th ward.  Bought a home at 21 Cornell.  June 1963 was granted a leave of absence from Idaho  State University as assistant professor of English.  The following tribute was published in the Idaho State Journal May 7, 1965:

 

HEADLINE:

GEE RECEIVES EMERITUS STATUS

 

William Marion Gee, assistant professor of English at Idaho State University, has been awarded emeritus status by the State Board of Education.  Approved by the Board at its Pocatello meeting Thursday and Friday, the designation of Gee as assistant professor, emeritus will become effective with his retirement from the faculty July 1.

In its emeritus citation, the board points out that Gee joined the faculty in 1946 after preparing "himself academically for a teaching career in English by studies pursued at Utah State College, Brigham Young University and the University of Idaho, Southern Branch."

 

"Gee," the resolution continues, "has inspired a search for knowledge and appreciation of the language and arts among many students (and) has contributed toward the cultural growth of the community, state and nation through two decades of devotion to the teaching of English."

 

The emeritus status is conferred, the resolution concludes, "with the gratitude and appreciation of the State Board of Education as Trustees for Idaho State University."

 

Gee taught English and social science at Rexburg and English at Blackfoot before joining the Idaho State faculty in 1946.  He has been on leave for the past two years.