Our Airplane Grandpa

He was born up Cub River in a home so poor you could see through the wall boards.

He started dating his sweetheart while still in High School.

He took her to a dance once, and there was another fellow that wanted to take her home,

So they boxed.  

He was the conquering victor.
. 

Later, he married that red-head who was definitely worth fighting for. 

He was an auto-body man by trade, a sailor, pilot, and musician for love.

He sang an old western song called "Slowpoke" for us at our wedding reception.

An easy man to like, he was kind, witty, and unassuming.  

It didn't take long for before he found a place in my heart.  

He brought Marjean to every baby blessing, every baptism.

Whenever we'd visit, he'd give the kids a balsa wood airplane to fly.

And then super-glued them back together when they would inevitably break.

 He was a wonderful man.  

It was hard to watch a man who'd always been
so talented with his hands forget how to use them. 

Alzheimer's is a mean disease.

Grandpa's funeral was yesterday.  It was a beautiful service.

He will be missed.  A lot.