In Honor Of My Grandpa

Grandpa with guitar

I have been on the phone and email with my Mom all day today.  Her Dad, my Grandpa, passed away early this morning.  He was 87 years old and he was battling Alzheimer’s Disease.  My Grandpa believed in Jesus and we are at peace knowing he is at peace and he is no longer suffering.  To all of my family, I am praying for everyone and I love you.  We love you Grandpa and this is for you.

When I was talking to my Mom this morning, she told me how her Dad taught her the Lord’s prayer and she told me how he would pray with her when she was little.  My Mom is the oldest among five kids.  My Mom and I both shed tears talking about how she said that prayer with him, but I want you to know we mourn with hope.  With a great hope that can never be taken away!  Those tears have joy in them too because we know that he is in peace at home with his Savior who taught him that prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer:

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily

bread.

Forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into

temptation,

but deliver us from the evil

one.'”

Jesus speaking in Matthew 6:9-13

My Grandpa was a kind man.  I remember his kindness to me and I still remember him playing guitar to my little sister and I.  That’s us in the picture above back in the early 80s enjoying Grandpa’s peaceful playing on his nice acoustic.  I always remember him smelling good too.  He was a fun guy to be around.  I can attribute my love for playing guitar all the way back to watching him play.

Here is my sister and I hanging out with Grandpa in our country gear.  Check out my sister’s bonnet.  Classic!

Grandpa with kids

My Grandpa served in the Korean War and I would also like to honor his service to our country.  He was about 20 years old when he entered the war and he served our country with bravery and honor.

Grandpa in uniform

Here is what my Mom emailed me this morning:

“Grandpa was called to active duty from Jan. 29, 52 to Dec 30, 53, but he was a member of the Illinois Army Reserve for 2 ½ years where he also spent time in Japan and was a fireman.  In Korea he did the tanks, and ran the electric generators and set up army telephones.  I was born while Dad was in the war, so he didn’t see me until I was 11 months old.  After the war, he was an electrician, he went to night school.  He was an electrician his whole career, at least 40 years.  In California he did the bidding for jobs for an electrician company.  He was a Corporal at the end of his service.  If he were to stay, they were going to make him a Sergeant, but he wanted to come home.”

For his service to our nation in defense of the Korean people my Grandpa earned the Korean Service Ribbon with three Bronze Service Medals, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.  He served in the First Cavalry Division and he also served as a Fireman in the 8th Regiment’s Headquarters Company.  He did his basic training at Fort Knox in 1951.  He was also good at fixing generators and the Army telephone lines.  He saw brutal combat and he fought for the freedom of the Korean people.  My Grandpa courageously put his life on the line for others and I am very proud of him for his service.  What a cool guy!

Grandpa Korean War

Grandpa on tank

Grandpa Korean War 2

Grandpa Korean War 3

Here is a picture of him coming home from the war on the ship.  I think he looks like a movie star.

Grandpa on ship

My sister interviewed my Grandpa about the war when she was in high school.  He said his worst memory of the war was seeing his friends and fellow Americans who had died in battle.  He said war is a terrible experience.  When he came home and arrived back on American soil at the port in Seattle, Washington, the first thing he saw were all the Christmas lights and he was very glad to be back home.  When he got back home to Illinois he said the first thing he did was give my Mom a hug.  It was his first child and he had never seen her before.  I praise God for keeping my Grandpa safe during the war!

My Grandpa was also a Master Electrician and a Pilot after the war.  Check out his cool plane.  He was a man of many talents!

Grandpa with plane

Here he is doing some work on a grain elevator in town.  My Mom said that old grain elevator is still there and she drives by it often.

Grandpa working

This is a photo from 1974 from the town paper called The Register Mail.  My Grandpa did some electrical work there on a new printing press.  I like how those guys are lined up looking at him.  You can tell those guys like and respect my Grandpa.  He did high quality professional electrical work and he had a good reputation.

Grandpa 1974 Register Mail New Press

Here is my Grandpa as a young boy.  He was born in 1931.  Good lookin’ lad!

Grandpa as a kid

I love this picture from my Grandpa’s 75th birthday party!  He always had a great sense of humor.

Grandpa being funny at 75 birthday

This is a recent picture of him enjoying time on the water.

Grandpa river

We love you Grandpa and we will miss you!  I will always remember your kindness and love.  We will see you again in the glory of Heaven!

Grace and peace to all of my family!  Be at peace knowing he is in perfect peace for all eternity!

I love you all!

“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.  We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Jesus speaking in John 3:16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author: Ryan Callahan

Hello, and welcome to my site! I am an independent Christian author (One Man's Very Strange Supernatural Life), blogger, and evangelist for Jesus. My main goal with this blog is to help people come to know Jesus, help people understand the Bible, and to minister to a lost and hurting world. This site is about hope, new beginnings, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love! I'm glad you are here, God bless you! Copyright © 2024 Ryan Callahan. All rights reserved.

55 thoughts on “In Honor Of My Grandpa”

    2. My Brotha Ryan,
      Man ol Man what a AWESOME tribute to your Grandpa Rod Ryan. I didnt even know he was in the Korean War my brotha and it sounds like he lived a great life. My heart goes out to your Aunt’s and Uncle’s brotha and of course Aunt Rhonda!! I didn’t realize as well the faith he had in our Lord and Savior which even makes it better brotha. Anyway God Bless the Shryack’s, Peachey’s, and Callahans. Eric

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

  6. I’m sorry for your loss! It’s never easy losing someone we love. I’m happy to hear he knew the Lord. I love all the photos. You must be so proud of him! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  7. What a beautiful tribute to the Grandfather you loved so much; he sounded like such an incredible man. And I don’t even thing some Grandparents realize the impact they had on us growing up; it’s something special. I know he’s looking down and is so proud of you. This post was very powerful and it made my day. I pray you find peace in loss, my friend

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Ryan,
    Such a loving celebration of words honoring your Grandpa. Your hearts are at peace knowing he was greeted into heaven with gracious arms. Praying comfort over you all. God bless.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  14. Ryan, what a beautiful tribute to your grandpa. I have no doubt he would love this! I pray God’s peace on you and your family. Knowing that he’s a Christian definitely makes it easier, but it’s never easy to lose someone so special. Blessings and peace to you, brother.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  15. Pingback: No More Pain – Ryan Callahan's Blog

  16. Ryan,

    Sorry to hear about your grandfather. My grandfather died at 87 also. I actually got to lead him to Christ a year or two before. God is good. Your grandfather sounds like a giant of the faith. Thank you for sharing this brother.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  22. What a beautiful tribute to your Grandpa. I love the pictures, such a treasure. My grandfather also would sit around and play his guitar for us. I actually have that guitar, it’s priceless to me. So many good memories. I’m so sorry for your loss. Praying for you my friend🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  24. Thank you for sharing all the wonderful photos and memories. Sounds like we lost an amazing man that day. Though a bit late, my condolences to you and God bless!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment