I consider my father to be a pretty hard worker, but I have never met anyone who works as hard as my Grandpa worked.  Here’s what I wrote about him in closing for the memorial service:

This may be what Grandpa is remembered for more than anything else…at least that’s true for my memory.  I have never seen a man work so hard.  When he finished one job, it was off to the next.  And, he didn’t walk to that next job, he jogged.  Co-workers would often ask Grandma, “Does he ever slow down?”  Grandpa is the only man I know, who when given a couple hours of leisure time, chooses “work” for his activity.  One time, I visited him and he was mowing the lawn….for the 2nd time in 3 days.  When I asked him why so frequent, he calmly responded, “It’s grown since Monday.”

He not only exemplified hard work, but he did his best to instill it in others.  “A little hard work never hurt anyone” would often be heard as he tried to encourage his children and grandchildren when a task was being given.  If, in the eternal bliss of enjoying God forever in heaven, his followers carry with them characteristics and memories of their God-given gifts here on earth, I’m pretty sure Grandpa will have a field…and maybe a truck.  That field will be well-worked, but he’ll save some jobs for those who join him.  Brad, Judy, Cheryl, Kevin, and Mama; there will be plenty of hay bails to toss and dishes to wash. And for all the grandkids and great-grandkids, there will be oodles of irrigation pipes to move and rocks to pick up from the fields.  Oh, how I miss those days.

Visits to see Grandpa and Grandma always included some good old-fashioned sweat, as evidenced here (nice work Joshua and Cherise):