Celebrating Gramps

My Grandfather, more affectionately known as Gramps, passed on to Heaven last week. He would have been 92 in December! A good, long life. I was able to go back to Ohio for his services and to celebrate his life. It was so good to see family and also meet some extended family members for the first time. My Dad put together an awesome presentation of his life and I pulled some of the pictures to share here.

High school graduation in 1937 - way to go, Harry Dale Utterback!

He served our country in WWII and earned 4 Bronze Stars during his time in N. Africa & Sicily. He was a mechanic on planes & built runways. He's back row, furthest to left in this picture.

He married my Grandmother Vanda Welsh. My Dad was their first-born of two little boys (runs in the family!). We never got to meet our Grandma as she died from a car accident when my Dad was in high school.

My Dad grew up on "the farm" in Paulding, Ohio. It wasn't always easy for them, but you could tell there was lots of love.

My (stylish) Mom entered the picture and here Gramps is with her and my other grandparents. My Grandma is our only living grandparent now.

Gramps loved his grandkids! He might not have been the biggest "talker" in the world, but I always knew he loved me.

He didn't like to leave Paulding much, but he did come to Massillon for my bridal shower. Anthony actually was able to get back to Paulding the weekend before Gramps passed away to see him. And thankfully he had Inella in his life.

He loved the farm (and suspenders if you can't tell!). I told him how the boys love to eat edamame (because he grew soybeans). He didn't really get the idea of actually eating them green!

 
At his services, people talked about  his big laugh and I think this picture shows it well.
 

And here he is at his 90th birthday party.

Although we are sad that Gramps has left us, we were glad to see each other and spend time as a family remembering.

We especially had fun on the farm walking to our woods and enjoying the beauty of fall. We even saw a rainbow. Anthony and the boys weren't able to come with me, but both Braden and Hunter met Gramps and we'll keep his memory going!

Gramps loved making applesause and this picture shows one of the apple trees on the farm with the woods and fields in the background.

I'm proud of my Utterback heritage!

Dad and our Uncle Harry will be passing the farm on to Mike and me one of these days so Mike is practicing the farmer look. Brandy has a ways to go if she is going to be a farmer's wife!