Robert Wesley

Once upon a time, there was a little boy......who met a little girl...

...they got married...
...two days later the boy left for Korea,
but they would write every day...
...for a year......he returned safely from war and they started a family......then his children started their families and the little boy became a Grandpa...

...then the boy blinked and suddenly he was a Great Grandpa!
That little boy who is all grown up now, is my Grandpa. All of my grandparents are extra special for their own reasons, but January 4th is my Grandpa J's 80th birthday, so he gets the attention. He's very humble and probably won't like all this attention. However, he's very witty and would probably say he's proud to be so humble.

He's a retired cabinet maker. An expert at precision and detail. He works now at Wal-Mart in the paint and hardware department, NOT as a greeter (he likes to add). He has two sons, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren to date. Up till a couple of years ago he taught math to adults at a local R.E.A.D. program. He still sings in the choir at church. He is an avid reader, a big fan of author, Martin Lloyd-Jones and the local newspaper. He can beat you at chess and happily sorted through hundreds of coins to find brand new state quarters so each of his family members could have their own set.

He and Grandma still honor their engagement date and he reserves kisses on the lips only for his "sweetie". Above all these things he has been my role model for his soft heart and patient spirit. He loves God above all else and that is evident to all who meet him. He is also the genetic root of our son's chocolate brown eyes.

He taught me to whistle, wink, blow bubbles with gum, tie my shoes, he was instrumental in my early math education and learning to drive. When he and his best friends sit around the dinner table they top each other's clever puns and discuss politics and theology. He is an expert home made ice cream maker and loves to estimate the mileage to come visit us in Ohio when they drive up from Tennessee. He taught me how to change the oil in my car and the proper way to use a chamois.
He has created a legacy of Christlike love, patience and perseverance to all of his family and we love him more than he'll ever know. I wish I could help you blow out the candles again, I'd wish with you that we didn't all live so far apart.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!
With love from your Punkin'