Another of the Greatest Generation has passed into eternity. Sunday morning, at 1:08, my 93 year old grandpa crossed the threshold of death after three weeks in the hospital.
Born December 10, 1922, Grandpa had lived a full life. He grew up on a farm, played basketball in high school (which he enjoyed), served his country during WWII (though never did he see combat), later farmed, fished commercially, and kept bees--in addition to a thousand other things like building his own house from the foundation to the roof (including doing the wiring himself) and mechanicing until he no longer could. He raised four children and his several grandchildren were all honoured and privileged to know him.
Below I have posted some of my favorite photos of him--some from far, far before I was born!
Born December 10, 1922, Grandpa had lived a full life. He grew up on a farm, played basketball in high school (which he enjoyed), served his country during WWII (though never did he see combat), later farmed, fished commercially, and kept bees--in addition to a thousand other things like building his own house from the foundation to the roof (including doing the wiring himself) and mechanicing until he no longer could. He raised four children and his several grandchildren were all honoured and privileged to know him.
Below I have posted some of my favorite photos of him--some from far, far before I was born!
Grandpa is the eldest boy in this photo.
Grandpa and Grandma's official wedding photo.
I believe this one was taken in Maryland.
That's not me--that's Savannah.
I am so glad he got to go on the Honor Flight last September!!
Yesterday, the 27th of July, two-thousand and six, we laid Grandpa to rest.
If you find photos the deceased and funerals morbid, I beg you forgive me. I just think the funeral home did such a beautiful job with him...he looked so peaceful and happy that I could not help smiling back.
If you find photos the deceased and funerals morbid, I beg you forgive me. I just think the funeral home did such a beautiful job with him...he looked so peaceful and happy that I could not help smiling back.
For the second time now I was a pall bearer. Once again, for a grandfather.
The other pall bearers were Daddy, Savannah, Katherine, my cousin Danny, second cousin Denny, and Fred and Davy (our farmers).
I have no true assurance, but I do have hope, that one day I will see my Grandpa again in heaven. The peace I have had throughout this whole time can only have come from God.
I said "Good-night, Grandpa" last Saturday evening before kissing him gently on the forehead. When I got up Sunday morning, I found a note beside the coffee pot written by my mother. I didn't have to read it to know that he was gone. Just it being there told me the story. So now I say, "Good-bye, Grandpa." I'm just glad I had those few minutes with him a few days before he passed when he was awake and clearly aware that his family was around him.
I salute you.
I said "Good-night, Grandpa" last Saturday evening before kissing him gently on the forehead. When I got up Sunday morning, I found a note beside the coffee pot written by my mother. I didn't have to read it to know that he was gone. Just it being there told me the story. So now I say, "Good-bye, Grandpa." I'm just glad I had those few minutes with him a few days before he passed when he was awake and clearly aware that his family was around him.
I salute you.
Racheal
I did this interview with Grandpa Thanksgiving 2013.
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