BLACKFOOT -- Veteran state legislative leader Jerry Twiggs was eulogized Friday as a devoted family man as hundreds of government officials, friends and relatives paid their last respects to the late president pro tem of the Idaho Senate.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Blackfoot West Stake Center was filled to capacity for the funeral service in which much of Twiggs' family participated. Fifteen of his grandchildren sang, his daughter gave a life sketch and three of his sons offered prayers at the funeral and the gravesite.
"I don't know of a better tribute to him that on the occasion you
bid farewell that -- the family pays the tribute -- a successful, beautiful family," Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, who had made Twiggs one of his chief legislative allies, said. "If Idaho, America and the world would look at the family of Jerry Twiggs, they will find the example of what a family should be."
Kempthorne, U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, Idaho Chief Justice Linda Copple Trout, House Speaker Bruce Newcomb and a host of legislators and other elected officials -- including the Utah Senate's president pro tem -- were among the estimated 1,400 people who came to honor Twiggs.
"I believe he can see what's happening today; I believe he would be pleased," said Melvin Hammond, a member of the church's First Quorum of the Seventy and former state representative.
Hammond, representing the church's governing First Presidency, read a letter from President Gordon B. Hinckley and his two counselors.
Kempthorne presented Sandra Twiggs with a framed photograph of flags flying at half-staff over the Capitol in Boise in her late husband's honor, as well as the flags themselves.
Twiggs was a retired farmer, eight-term Republican senator and president pro tem since 1993. He died of a heart attack during his morning jog on Monday just hours before the Idaho Legislature's 2000 session was to convene. He was 66.
His death postponed legislative work and Kempthorne's State of the State and budget addresses for a week. The session officially convened briefly on the day Twiggs died, but its real business will not get under way until Monday.
"While there may have been a lot of tears shed at the Statehouse, there have also been a lot of appreciative smiles. You see, everyone knew a Jerry Twiggs story, and every one was positive," said Kempthorne, who had considered Twiggs a leading candidate for appointment as lieutenant governor should Lt. Gov. Butch Otter win the 1st District congressional race this year.
"What mark did he make?" the governor asked. "The government of the state of Idaho has paused for one week to reflect on the life of this man."
Twiggs' daughter, Cindy Hogen, recalled how her father willingly loaned farm equipment, vehicles, his cabin and even cash to friends and family.
The moderate, conciliatory tone with which he oversaw the public's business in the Senate also characterized his private life.
"He nearly always would see the other guy's point of view even when we couldn't, much to our annoyance," his daughter said.
State Rep. Stanley Williams of Pingree remembered playing high school basketball, camping, hunting and fishing with one of his closest friends.
"Some people are so afraid of death they don't know how to live," Williams said. "That was not true of Jerry Twiggs. He lived life to the fullest right up to the end."
Blackfoot West LDS Stake President Gale O. Lim said Twiggs was a problem solver.
"I don't doubt that he's up there now setting up a tee time and getting things organized for all of you when you arrive," Lim said. "I can honestly say that of all the years I knew him, I don't have one bad memory."
