A Man who surpassed all others...

Today was a normal like all other days. I woke up somewhat early to finish the needed laundry for work. I then laid down on our coach piled with clean laundry to watch some Saturday morning cartoons. Although they are nothing like the good old days with the original GI Joe, TMNT, or Transformers, they do suffice. About a 1/2 an hour into Tom and Jerry. Christin stumbled out of the bedroom to watch TV with me. We finished our preparations after Tom & Jerry had finished and went to work.

At 14:45 (2:45pm) Elizabeth called me. I figured it was for some very thrilling and exciting news. But the news she gave me was not quite what I expected it to be. She called to let me know that my Grandfather... Kenneth Ralph Pike, had died this morning. Here is where I cry. I cried for a good 15 min. before calling my wife to let her know what was going on. She offered to bring me home but I declined. I am home now and am going to tell you about my Grandpa Pike. What I am going to tell you is not how old he was or what he did for work. But who he was to me. How I will remember him and honor his name.

Grandpa did everything by example. He taught by it. He led by it. He used examples in his every day life. One day Grandpa and Grandma came to visit us here in Phoenix. When Grandpa came it was work time. We would be up early doing chores and finishing projects that my Dad could never finish on his own. Grandpa would tell us stories about when he grew up. When he built planes and when his kids were growing up. He taught me how to use my hands and how to build things. He always told me that if you put your mind to something you can do it. If you dream it and believe in it. It can happen. Grandpa not only taught me of the physical things in life. But also wonderful things about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His testimony in the church is strong and sound. Grandpa is a convert to the church. He loves it with his whole heart. Now, I know he is helping the work up there and pressing forward as if he were still here. The most important thing he taught me was integrity. Sticking up for what is right. Kenneth Ralph Pike is and will always be my Grandpa Pike and I love him dearly and miss him. As I know a lot of people do.