Patrick and Pam Dunlavy (top) stand together on their wedding day in October 1966. A more recent portrait of Patrick and Pam Dunlavy (bottom) is shown. photos courtesy of Patrick Dunlavy
Brent and Corene Marshall (top) stand together on their wedding day in March 1975. A more recent picture of the Marshalls (bottom) is shown. photo courtesy of Brent Marshall
Brian and Kari Johnson (top) stand together on their wedding day in September 1997. The Johnsons (bottom) with their four children Trent, Luke, Hallie and Brenna. photo courtesy of Brian Johnson
Kent and Sue Sagers (left) kiss on the “A” on the Utah State University campus in Logan. The Sagers (above) stand together on their wedding day in May 1976. photo courtesy of Kent Sagers
Anne and Mike Crawford (center) stand with their children, Kacey and Brittany, after renewing their vows three years ago. photo courtesy of Mike Crawford
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Loading...Most mayors will admit that their job is a lot of work. Between leading the city or town staff, providing input to city or town councils, making public appearances, attending countless meetings and listening to comments and complaints from city and town residents, there’s not a lot of time left for other things at the end of a mayor’s day. Balancing work, family, free time and other obligations can become a difficult task.
However, many of Tooele County’s mayors say that because of their wives, they’re able to balance their work life and family life just fine. Most of the local mayors have been married for decades — and many have love stories that can be classified as fairytale romances. This Valentine’s Day, the mayors of Tooele County share their love stories, from how they met their wives to how they’ve successfully been married for so long.
Tooele City Mayor Patrick Dunlavy
Q: How did you meet your wife?
A: We met at a high school dance. It was love at first sight.
Q: How did you propose?
A: The night we decided to get married, I took Pam to dinner and asked her if she would be willing to be my wife and partner forever. Fortunately for me, she said yes.
Q: How long have you been married and how many children and grandchildren do you have?
A: Pam and I have been married for 46 special years. We got married on Oct. 7, 1966. We have four of the greatest children ever (two daughters and two sons), and eight wonderful grandchildren.
Q: What is the secret to a long-lasting marriage?
A: Genuine love for each other, communication and commitment. When things happen that are difficult, we work together to work through those times. Many people believe that marriage is only good times, but it takes hard work to deal with money issues, raising children and work issues. If you really want happiness, it isn’t fancy expensive cars or trips you can’t afford. Pam and I are not only husband and wife, but we’re also each other’s best friend. It’s that way with our family, too. We are very close to our children. It’s the important things that bring happiness, not material things.
Q: How do you balance your mayoral duties and your life as a husband?
A: Being mayor is such a great experience and privilege for me. I share my experiences with Pam. We talk about the issues that come with the office of mayor, but the important thing is that no matter the situation, I always put her first. She’s such a super cheerleader who is always willing to listen. She cares as much about this great city as I do.
Grantsville City Mayor Brent Marshall
Q: How did you meet your wife?
A: We met at the Union 76. It was a truck stop in Tooele County. It’s the TA now. Corene and I both worked there during the summer. I was about 17.
Q: How did you propose?
A: I’d like to keep that private.
Q: How long have you been married and how many children and grandchildren do you have?
A: We’ve been married for 38 years. We got married on March 7, 1975. We have two sons and four grandchildren (three grandsons and one granddaughter).
Q: What is the secret to a long-lasting marriage?
A: Finding a patient woman. I think being able to talk and communicate and trust each other is important, too, but patience definitely plays a big part.
Q: How do you balance your mayoral duties and your life as a husband?
A: My mayoral duties are busy, so I try to take one day throughout the week and make it our day. We spend that whole day together.
Rush Valley Town Mayor Brian Johnson
Q: How did you meet your wife?
A: We were set up by my mom and her sister. They worked together and thought Kari and I would be a good match. When Kari and I were set up and went on our first date, I knew that I was going to marry her after that first date. This took some convincing as her dad was a farmer and Kari always said that she was not going to marry a farmer.
Q: How did you propose?
A: I took her to an Alabama concert. I had some roses and the diamond ring. I proposed to her after the concert. Alabama was a good band back in the day.
Q: How long have you been married and how many children do you have?
A: We’ve been married for 15 years and we have four children. We got married on Sept. 20, 1997.
Q: What is the secret to a long-lasting marriage?
A: Supporting each other in all the different things that you do and finding something in common. Kari and I have very different interests, like she loves sports and I don’t have a clue. The one thing that we share in common is food. We both love the same kind of ice cream and order the same thing off the menu no matter where we go.
Q: How do you balance your mayoral duties and your life as a husband?
A: I’m married to a good woman who is understanding. She allows me to spend lots of time away from home at meetings and with different responsibilities. She makes sure things are taken care of at home and makes things a lot easier on me.
Vernon Town Mayor Kent Sagers
Q: How did you meet your wife?
A: We were both working at Dugway and I saw her at the bowling alley. I found out that Sue worked in the same office as my dad, so he actually lined us up.
Q: How did you propose?
A: It was New Year’s Eve and we had been to a dance in Vernon. Afterward, we were talking about the changes Sue had made in the last month. She had recently changed jobs and was working in Salt Lake City, and she had changed her hair style. I asked her with all the changes she was making if she wanted to change her last name. She said yes.
Q: How long have you been married and how many children and grandchildren do you have?
A: It will be 37 years this May. Our wedding date is May 5, 1976. We have two children, a daughter and a son. We have one grandchild.
Q: What is the secret to a long-lasting marriage?
A: Unselfishness. If you put the needs and wants of your spouse before your own, then everything seems to work a whole lot better. And remember, your wife is always right. Over the years we’ve been married, in most cases, Sue is right.
Q: How do you balance your mayoral duties and your life as a husband?
A: Being mayor of a small town, there is not as much demand for my time as compared to larger cities. However, a mayor is requested to attend a lot of functions and to be away from home quite often. For a lot of the functions, a representative for the mayor can attend and take his place, but there is no one that can take your place as a husband.
Wendover City Mayor Mike Crawford
Q: How did you meet your wife?
A: It was 1980 and I was working in Wendover for the summer at my dad’s Chevron station when Anne, a new school teacher for the school, came in for gas. With her being a new girl in town, I had to ask her out. It took several tries until she said yes.
Q: How did you propose?
A: After about six months of dating I decided to pop the question of marriage. I got the best looking apple I could find in Wendover and went to the school where Anne was a teacher. At the time, she was a second grade teacher for Wendover Elementary School. During recess, I showed up with the apple and the proposal. She took both. It took us three and a half years to get married.
Q: How long have you been married and how many children and grandchildren do you have?
A: We have been married for 29 years and we’re still going. We were married April 22, 1984 in Oyster Bay, N.Y. We have two children, one boy and one girl, and no grandchildren.
Q: What is the secret to a long-lasting marriage?
A: Treat the relationship like an equal partnership. It’s also important to always realize that your wife is usually the sane one in the relationship.
Q: How do you balance your mayoral duties and your life as a husband?
A: My wife has always been my biggest cheerleader when it comes to being mayor. She has always been supportive, but she doesn’t like the meetings very much because she likes to correct my grammar. The teacher in her never leaves.
Stockton Town Mayor Mark Whitney said he doesn’t currently have a love story to share, but he is single and looking to create one. Ophir Town Mayor Walt Shubert declined to share his love story.
