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During the beginning of the depression, he decided to join his older brother, Cordon, in California to see if he could get a job. At that time Cordon lived in San Francisco and was looking for a job as well.
One Sunday early in the morning, he took Cordon’s daughter, Eva, who was about five years old to the drug store with him. She said, “I wish I could drive a car.” He lifted her on his lap, having noticed no traffic, and told her to steer it. The car went from one side of the road to the other and he would have to hurry and turn the wheel all the time laughing as hard as he could. He knew he would get a talking to from Pearl but he didn’t seen to care. He was having a lot of fun and so was Eva.
Cordon got a job at the Hetch Hetchy tunnel and he applied in Calaveras County, California. He discovered he had to be married before they would hire him so when they interviewed him for a job he told them he was married and gave Pearl Sessions as his wife. This was Cordon’s wife. He told them about this when he returned home. Well, when they had a big party sometime later, all the men were to take their wives to it. Pearl went up with another lady and while driving, the lady drove too close to the side of the road and tipped the car over. Acid from the battery ran all over Pearl’s dress and legs and her stockings were totally eaten away. Some people saw them go off the road and helped to get the car upright and on its way. The cars didn’t weigh so much in those days. Pearl got to the dinner and she really got razed by the people there. Burnell was sure glad she was alive.
He later met a beautiful girl from Avery, Juanita Ross, and married her on November 22, 1933. They drove up to Reno, Nevada, to get married. They lived in Livermore and then later in San Francisco. Donald was born March 6, 1935 in San Francisco. Russell was born in Sonora on May 22, 1937. They lived in Calveras County until 1941. Burnell got a job in Big Bend, California, and after it ended he gave Juanita the choice of living in California or moving to Utah. They moved to Utah. They moved to Heber City and bought a house near his mother. He continued to work in the mine. They did a lot of camping and fishing and teaching their boys responsibility and hard work. They were good parents and both boys grew up well liked in the community. Both served their country in the army, both developed trades and were well respected by those who they worked for. They also had a good knowledge of how to make the most of their money and did very well financially.
Juanita was a good housekeeper, and an excellent hostess. It seems their home always had friends and relatives there. They knew how to save and manage resourcefully.
When Burnell retired from the mines, they would go to Murphys, California, spend the winter and then come home for the other three seasons. Juanita would be near her family and it was a good arrangement. One year she took a terrible fall and her leg would not heal. They stayed in California until her leg was healed enough for the boys to drive down and take them home. Later, Juanita flew to California to visit her family. Burnell stayed home. He was so miserable and missed her so much that those around him realized how much her really loved her. He often said things he shouldn’t to her. It is a Sessions trait-one that needs to be overcome, because it hurts. He realized how much he loved and depended on her in his life. He could hardly wait until she returned home. Her leg was never quite the same, but she smiled and carried on as best she could.
Their home was always open and invitations to stay with them, was freely given. They were always willing to help everyone and do special things for so many. They gave freely of whatever they had, visited family reunion in Idaho almost every year and took Burnell’s mother there when she was still alive. They checked on her every day as she got older. Burnell tried to nail the cellar door closed so she wouldn’t fall down the stairs by mistake, as it was so close to the bathroom and her eyes were not good, but she told him, “If you do, I will climb up and pull them out”. He knew she would so he didn’t.
Burnell wanted to keep the old house, so after she died he bought it from the family and remodeled it, moved in and sold the other house two doors down that he owned.
They loved their grand children and also the great grand children. They would take them to the rodeo, the parades, and everything else they participated in. They would help them do things and had toys etc. for them. The children came every day and created a great deal of happiness for them. Birthdays were always remembered with cakes and family coming to the home when Burnell’s and Juanita’s birthdays came and a big 50th wedding anniversary party. Don lived close by and he and Rita came to see them every day. Russell came often when they were both sick and helped. It was very touching to see him kneeling at his father’s bed, holding his hand and showing his love for him.
Ruth Richardson, a grandchild raised by Burnell’s mother and father has this to say regarding Burnell and Juanita: “Tod and Juanita Sessions were great people who were loved by many nieces and nephews. Tod was good at fixing things, mechanical things. He loved fishing and camping. He loved the little children. He loved to tease them. He worked in the mines for many years. He was a motor man and also contracted with Bob Richardson, then he took care of the pumps, oiled them and maintained them. After he retired from the mines, one winter he went to work for Robert Richardson at Parley Summit Resort as a lift operator.
Juanita was a great lady who loved family dinners. She was very good with handwork. She made beautiful quilts and her crocheting was perfection, always one step above the rest. Her homemade noodles were the best, great cinnamon rolls and scrimp salad. She also liked to fix dinner for anyone who visited.
When you took her shopping, it took hours. Everyone in the store had to come up and love her and ask how she was. She was a special grandmother. Her great grand children loved her so much. She was a special lady. How I miss both of them.”
Burnell died September 21, 1996 and Juanita died September 21, 1997.
They supported our Sessions family reunions, bringing more than their share of food and gifts for the games. The family always gathered at their home after the reunion for a while before going home or staying with them. They were truly loved by all.