My Grandpa

I have only ever known one Grandpa in my life. My Grandpa Shumate. He was pretty much everything you think of in a Grandpa. Loving. Funny. Nice. Caring. Always letting you sit on his lap. He was the greatest. 

Some of my most favorite memories of my Grandpa are of things like how he always, and I do mean ALWAYS had a fridge in his garage fully stocked with Root Beer and Welches Grape Soda just for his grandkids. Or when I was younger, I remember going on walks around the block with him and he always had LifeSaver mints in his pocket that he would share with me as we walked. Or how he always would help us fill up a bucket of birdseed and we got to go help him throw the birdseed all around his yard, and we would see all kinds of birds, like road runners, or jack rabbits coming to eat. We would often go and help him pick lemons, oranges, and tangerines from his trees in his backyard. And how sometimes, as we were getting packed up and ready to leave his house, he would pull me aside in his garage or somewhere out of sight, and slip me some money for things he had heard me talk about wanting... like games, CD's, movies, or books. He would always slip me the money very slyly and whisper "Don't tell Grandma!" and then smile and give me a hug. 

He was constantly helping anyone and every one he could see weather be family, friends, or neighbors. He was never ever mad. He was always happy. He loved to tell cheesy little jokes. And no matter what time of day you arrived at his house, he was there waiting to feed you, or give you anything else you may need upon arrival. He was such a generous man. And he genuinely loved his family.

(Photo of Grandpa when he came home from World War II in June of 1946)

He was born in Oklahoma on August 4, 1920. He served in World War II, and was overseas when my Dad was born. He didn't even see my dad until he was about 18 months old.  He worked for 30+ years for the U.S. Forest Service. Recently, my Grandma told us that while they were married they moved 42 times! He met my Grandma when she was just 14 years old and he was 17 while they were learning Archery. They married 20 days after Pearl Harbor was attacked. As I was recently looking at old picture of my grandparents, I saw several of them together and in every one, he had his arm around my Grandma. When I told my Grandma that I thought that it was so cute how he put his arm around her in every picture, she just smiled and said, "Oh yes, always".

He died on December 17, 2011... 10 days shy of his 70th wedding anniversary.

He is survived by his wife, 2 sons and their wives, 7 grandkids, and 20 (almost 21) great grand kids.

His sweet smiling face will be missed at all our future family events, but I am so glad I had the opportunity to have him as my Grandpa.