Remembering Pa

Sifting through my papers, I found the eulogy I wrote through teary eyes the night before my grandfather's funeral. Almost 15 years later, I can still feel his presence in my life. I loved him for making a home for me and for being the fount of all the good that is in my life today. I loved him for teaching me what good was when I didn't even know that's what he was doing. Pa was a super roll model to all who knew him, and I think the following piece does a good job in capturing his character.

Melvin G. Thurman
September 15, 1915 - March 3, 1994

Pa blessed us in many ways. He lived everyday to its fullest, asked little of others, but gave an enormous amount of life and love in return. He was kind and caring, generous and peaceful in nature. I can sincerely say that my Pa was the kindest, nicest man I ever knew. He never argued, never fought. He never had a bad word to say about anyone and he was, in return, loved and respected by all who knew him. And this was not hard considering he was always ready to greet a person with a friendly smile or wave, a wink, or a warm handshake.

Pa cared little for the material things in life. Above all, he loved his family. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, his children, and his grandchildren, whose well-being was his greatest concern. Pa loved good food and he put much of it on the table himself, nurturing with his own hands hundreds of beautiful, delicious tomatoes and other vegetables each year, which he shared freely and proudly with everyone. He especially looked forward to having lunch every day at the Nutrition Center, where he enjoyed visiting with his many friends, whom he was always willing to help out in any way he could. For years Pa mowed lawns with great pride and a youthful energy that baffled many, until he absolutely no longer could. In the end, his last illness came quickly and Pa faced it bravely and optimistically, as he had faced his leukemia from the beginning. Indeed, this is how Pa faced life, bravely and without complaint of situation or circumstance.

Pa worried little and loved a lot. He loved his family, his country, his earth, and his God. My life never would have been complete without Pa in it and I thank God for giving him to us for as long as we had him. It is with greatest honor and pride that I call a wonderful man named Melvin Thurman my grandfather. I will love and remember him always. He was a great man. He will be greatly missed.