My Grampa Died Today

He lived to 93 and had a full life. He grew up in Yakima, and had a lifelong passion for airplanes. He went to the University of Washington where he met the love of his life Ruth Johnson. They were married 70 years ago, he worked for Boeing, and they had three kids and subsequently 6 grand kids. He enjoyed flying his Fairchild and traveling. He was a great husband, father and grandfather. I will miss him.

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23 Responses to My Grampa Died Today

  1. Michelle says:

    Even when we have them for such wonderfully long lives, it’s always hard to say good-bye. I’m sorry, Donna. I lost my last grandparent, my 100-year-old grandma, last July.

    • Donna says:

      It is hard. These are some of my favorite photos of my grampa and how I want to remember him. I am sorry about your grandmother Michelle.

  2. mcfwriter says:

    I’m sorry for your loss, Donna. He sounds like a wonderful man and it’s obvious from the pictures that he was well loved.
    My condolences.

    • Donna says:

      Thanks Maureen. He was well loved and demonstrated his love for us in many ways some shown in the photos. It has been important for me in my life to have had this.

  3. QPB says:

    I’m so sorry.

  4. Jody says:

    Your Grandfather sounds like he was a remarkable man who lived his life to the fullest!
    I never knew either of my Grandfathers as they died before I was born.
    Sorry for your loss Donna.

    • Donna says:

      Thanks Jody. He was a remarkable man. He had a long happy life. I forgot to mention he was an outdoorsman enjoying hiking, mountain climbing and fishing. I know a lot of people that never really knew their grandparents so I am VERY lucky.

  5. I too am sorry for your loss. What a blessing to have been close to your Grandfather! He looks so happy and proud in all of the photos. It seems that he has left quite a legacy of Love…

    • Donna says:

      Thanks Nancy. I love his smile in these photos. He did leave quite a legacy. I know there are many aspects of me that are from him.

  6. Jackie Craw says:

    I am SOOQOO sorry for your loss Donna. What a blessing to have had him in your life as long as you did. I wish my grandfather would have lived that long. there is something special about grandfathers. I enjoyed looking at your photos of him, and wished I could have know him myself!
    Hang in there.
    Jackie

    • Donna says:

      Thanks Jackie. I am lucky to have had such a wonderful grampa and for so long too. I just do not like being grampa-less. But I know it is for the best.

  7. Chai Chai says:

    He seemed to be smiling in the the pictures, relish your memories of the time you spent together.

  8. Teresa says:

    I am so sorry to hear of your loss. He truly looked like he was such a positive and happy man. Blessings to you and your family.

    • Donna says:

      Thanks Teresa. Losing your grampa is part of growing up, I guess. He was a positive happy man. Our family was lucky to have him as a patriarch.

  9. sheepsclothing says:

    So sorry for your loss, Donna.

  10. Tina T-P says:

    I am also sorry for your loss. Their wedding photo is lovely. Such good mementos for you to have. T.

    • Donna says:

      Thanks Tina. For Christmas presents my uncle had scanned photos and slides from my great gramma and my grandfather and placed them on flash drives for us. It is around 3000 photos dating from 1905. Last weekend when he was in ICU I sat at the computer and watched a slideshow of these photos (it took most of the day). It was a nice memorial to his whole life (as well as a history lesson). My uncle’s and my photos are a real comfort now and the timing could not have been better.

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