Tribute to Grandpa

My Grandpa Fullmer (my Mom's Dad) died on July 30, 2011.   I heard the news just as I finished running the 4-mile Whale of a Run.    Our family had already planned on going to Utah for the wedding of Mike's sister on August 18, but we left a little earlier than planned.  I am so glad that I was able to attend the funeral to celebrate his life.   My mom and dad even flew in from their mission in Denmark to be there with family.  

It was great to see all six of my uncles plus my mom together.  I  so enjoyed  hearing each of them pay tribute to their father.  My Grandpa lived to be 83 years old and left behind a wonderful legacy in faith and family.    He was by no means a perfect man, but he cared deeply about his family, loved to tease and joke, enjoyed writing, and was the biggest BYU fan ever!  Hearing his life's sketch made me think that our time on earth is very short.  I found myself thinking, what mark will I leave on the world?  How will I be remembered?  

Well for one thing,  I can thank Gramps  for my writing skills, it must have come from somewhere, right? I still need to work on my teasing and jokes.  Grandpa Fullmer  might say that I take life a little too seriously.  I need to tease and joke more,  but I am strong willed and stubborn like him.  Just like Grandpa, I say family comes first.  Family is everything.  Perhaps the best thing about Grandpa IS his family, particulalry Grandma Fullmer.  Marrying her was the best choice he made on this earth. I'd like to think that I married my better half too.  I know Grandpa approves of my husband; he always seemed to have a special affection for Mike.  Maybe that is because Mike always pretended to understand Grandpa speak Spanish?   

So Grandpa Fullmer, I will always cherish the memories of Lake Powell, endless pranks, a labrador retriever named Sue, "Harry Hall" specials, terrible Spanish, and BYU sports. And I will always be grateful to you and Grandma for raising my Mom into an elect lady of the Lord.  Thank you for leading a wonderful and happy life.  We'll be sure to take care of Grandma! Until we meet again... 

Love, Jill 

The grandkids all chipped in and bought this blue and white BYU wreath for Grandpa.  Here I am with 3 of my siblings minus Jake.  He was stationed in Kuwait with the Air Force  at the time.  Go COUGS! 

My mom is the oldest of 6 brothers! I don't know how she survived.