My maternal grandfather was born 119 years ago today. He's been gone more than 50 years now and I still miss him.
Granddad was a simple Kansas farmer, but in my mind, he was larger than life.
Granddad was born on the family's ranch in north-central Kansas, the youngest of nine living children. The family raised cattle, pigs, wheat, milo, and a bit of corn. My great-grandfather also raised jacks and jennies for the US Army. Work ethic was strong in the family and it was not lost on Granddad. He helped with the family farming and ranching operation until, as a young man, he followed his heart and moved to the Pacific Northwest where the woman who would later be my grandmother and her family had moved.
My Mom told me several times that Granddad loved that part of the country and his time there. He married Granny in Washington state and they began their life together there. While there, Granddad also apparently played semi-pro baseball and was a good pitcher, according to my Mom. (I suspect that played into Mom's love of watching the Royals!)
But the family ag operation eventually brought Granny and Granddad back to Kansas, where they lived the rest of their lives. Soon, my Mom and her brother came along. The family first lived on a farm west of town, later moving to another farm south of town.
Granddad still played baseball on town teams as time would permit. Somewhere in there, he also opened a restaurant in his hometown, but the venture was short-lived when the restaurant burned down. Nonetheless, Granddad's effort was remembered during the town's 125th anniversary in 2010 when a sign was erected where the restaurant once stood.
Then came World War II. Granddad joined the Army and fought in the European Theater. Granddad didn't talk about his time in the military, at least not to his children and granddaughters, which is typical of many who have seen combat. We didn't find out until after Granddad had died that he had been an Army sniper.
After the war, Granddad settled back into family life and farming/ranching.
Granddad was one of the good guys. He was always willing to help those in need, oftentimes not accepting payment, despite the fact that he was not monetarily wealthy. He was, however, wealthy in friends and those who loved him. After he died, we heard from numerous people who praised how he had helped them through a rough spot.
Though he enjoyed being around other people, Granddad was a quiet man. But when he spoke, you knew to listen.
He also had a good sense of humor and was a bit on the ornery side. (I may or may not have inherited that!) Mom used to tell that when I was a baby and still not eating much solid food, Granddad would sit me on his lap and give me a bit of his mashed potatoes and gravy. I would smack my lips together and smile, which made Granddad laugh. To this day, I still enjoy mashed potatoes and gravy!
At some point as an adult, Granddad had all of his teeth pulled and acquired a set of dentures, that, for as long as I knew him, he didn't wear. He didn't let that hinder him, however! Grandad could gum a chicken fried steak like nobody's business!
When my cousin and I were toddlers, we got into Granddad's dresser drawer and found his dentures, much to the horror of our parents. We giggled and thought it was great fun. Instead of getting mad, Granddad laughed about it. I can still hear his laugh. I miss it!
There also were stories of some of the pranks he pulled on people, including the time he tossed a firecracker under some cussed old fella's chair at the grain elevator! Apparently that was the first time the guy had moved that fast in years!
Often during the week, Granddad would take a break from his chores and join the other fellas for a soft drink and maybe a bite to eat at the restaurant (when I was young, it was always "rest-ernt.")
When I was young, I would spend a couple of weeks in the summer and some weekends with my grandparents. When I was there, Granddad would take me with him to the rest-ernt. In fact, he is responsible for my love of Mtn Dew. At the time, no one in Salina had distribution rights for Mtn Dew, so Granddad would buy a case of it for me to take home. Somewhere I still have a glass bottle or two of the golden elixir.
More than anything, Granddad loved his family. For many years, including his last, he made a point of putting flowers on family graves at the cemetery for Memorial weekend. Until his final few years, Granddad wouldn't let anyone help him. He would order dozens of peonies from a nearby florist. He would dig small holes at each grave, place a Mason jar in each hole and fill it with water and flowers. A week later, he would go back and collect all the jars for use the next year.
Granddad also doted on his granddaughters. When we were young, Granddad bought us a Shetland pony that we named Ringo. We were so excited to have a pony and Granddad was excited for us. Ringo, however, had other ideas. He was not a gentle pony. In fact he could be downright mean at times. After a while, Ringo "ran away" though I am fairly certain he was taken to a nearby sale barn.
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| Granddad with me (left), and my cousin. We had either just "helped" feed the pigs or Granddad was just giving us a ride in the wheelbarrow. Photo © Leslie Eikleberry 2026 |
Granddad took us with him to feed the pigs and cows and when he had to run errands in nearby towns. He even took me to my first Chiefs' game in old Municipal Stadium the season after the Chiefs won their first Super Bowl. I still have the team photo he bought me.
I feel bad that my younger cousin never got to know our Granddad. She was born the year after he died. I think she would have enjoyed him and I know he would have loved her dearly.
Granddad was a good man and a wonderful grandfather. I miss him.
Happy birthday, Granddad! I don't know whether you have learned to use a computer in Heaven, but I believe you somehow know what I have written and how much I still love you!
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