Last Sunday the 28th, my grandpa James Clark McCall died. So of course I didn’t do a post Monday … or the rest of the week. I’ve been dropping commitments left and right over this, actually!
This is basically going to be a short post in memory of my grandpa, who played an important central roll in my life, and a way for me to talk about the future.
So, let’s just get on with it!
A bit about him:
James “Jim” Clark McCall, 72, a resident of The Dalles, died at his home on Sunday, October 28th, 2018. Jim was born December 12th, 1945 in The Dalles, Oregon, the youngest of three children to Clayton and Marie (Olson) McCall. He graduated from The Dalles High School in 1963 and Oregon State University in 1968. He married Nancy Lyn Roth on September 26th, 1964. Jim worked in the banking industry, first for Wells Fargo Bank then Columbia River Bank. He finished his career with Columbia State Bank, retiring in 2013. He enjoyed spending time with his family, a good joke, camping with Nancy, family, and friends, bird watching, and taking care of his cows and dogs, but his delight was in the Lord, and he meditated on Him day and night.
His survivors include his high school sweetheart and wife of fifty-four years, Nancy Roth McCall; three children and their spouses, Tawny and Rob Garrett, Jeff and Cheri McCall, and Matt and Tammy McCall; eleven grandchildren and spouses, Heidi (Garrett) and Matt Burke, Benjamin Garrett, Robin (Garrett) and Josh Ott, Nikki (McCall) and Shay Ellison, Nolan McCall, Kyle McCall, Alex McCall, Brooke McCall, Kelly Garrett, James Garrett, and Thaddeus Garrett; six great-grandchildren: Coryn, Holly, Mercy, Claire, Lincoln, and Elijah; his brother and sister, Robert and Toni McCall of Portland, Oregon; nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his adopted sons, Darrell Sharp and Dan Marsh.
So yep, there are still a lot of us left now that Grandpa is gone, and it’s kinda scary!
I’m so grateful to my grandpa for his caring nature, his wisdom, his jokes, our camping trips, our special nicknames, and all the fantastic memories.
He was probably the most important man in my life. We were closer than close. My grandparents and I were inseparable; we were a dynamic trio!
I don’t think a lot of people understand just how close I was to my grandparents. I can literally see their house from where I’m sitting typing this blog post in my living room.
They were a second set of parents and my best friends for many years. I loved them both very much – and I continue to love my grandma (who, by the way, has been incredibly strong in the face of this trial).
From the time I was two years old, I was going on two-week camping trips with them. When other grandkids were scared to spend the night or be away from their parents for long periods of time, I wanted to go with them more than anything in the world.
I’d sob when my mother came to get me or hide in the back of their pickup in hopes that they wouldn’t make me leave.
They have loved me, amused me, cheered me up, kept me from going insane, helped me go crazy (in the best way), made me endlessly faithful to my family, given me a love for so many different things (music, movies, animals).
My grandpa especially taught me that quiet is sometimes better, that you can be strong and silent, that sometimes it’s better to pull than to push, and that gentleness wins over brute strength.
But – thankfully – Grandpa and I (as well as most of the rest of my family) are Christians – so we will meet again.
For that reason, I’m on hiatus for a time. I don’t know when I’ll be back. Could be sooner, could be later.
But I will be back. You’d better believe it! I wouldn’t give up blogging for the world. Y’all just gotta be patient.
A few quick updates:
- As of today (Friday), I’ve reached 35,000 words in Souls Astray.
- Yes, 35K in nine days! I’m going to 100K for the month.
- Reveries Co. is officially launched.
- Be sure to check it out!
- I’ll probably be posting more on social media.
- So yep, if you want to talk or whatever, that’s where to reach me.
- I’ll also answer comments here.
TTFN!
~Kellyn Roth~
32 Responses
Kellyn, I’m so sorry to hear your grandpa’s gone. He sounds like an awesome person and grandpa. I’ll be praying for you and your family. Losing a loved one hurts.
Thanks, Jo. 🙂
My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family, Kellyn. He was a treasure and will be missed, I know. What a legacy your grandpa has left with you – and so many lovely memories❤️ May God hold you in His arms and give you comfort.
Thank you! He definitely was a treasure, and we’ll all miss him very much. 🙂
Very sorry for your loss, Kell. ♥ ♥ God is with you every moment.
Thanks, Ang. <3
I’m so sorry for your loss Kel!!
My Grandpa died earlier this year and it was so hard. I totally understand the hiatus. ♥️♥️♥️
Thanks, Victoria! <3
So sorry for your loss. Will be praying for you and your family! <3
Thank you, Liz. <3 <3 <3
I’m sorry for your loss. I’m praying for you and your family!
Thank you, A! <3
I’m so sorry for your loss Kellyn…he sounded like a very amazing person. I’ll be praying for him and your family!
Thanks, Mary! He was definitely an amazing person. 🙂
Oh Kellyn, I’m so very sorry! Praying for you and for you family!
Thanks, Liberty! <3
This was very sweet, Kell. I’m sure your Grandpa would feel honored by this post.
Thanks, Beth! 😀
I’m sorry about your lost, Kellyn! <3 I'll be praying for you and your family. God is with you and him all the time.
Good job on writing Souls Astray!
Thanks, Lilian. I appreciate it!
Sorry for your loss. You are fortunate to have had a relationship with your grandfather. Both of my grandfathers passed away before I was born. May your grandfather rest in peace. God Bless.
Marilyn
Yep, my other set of grandparents were gone before I was born.
I’m so sorry about this, Kellyn. 🙁 I know that those words of “I’m sorry” are nothing to measure up to the sorrow you feel over someone’s death, and that you probably hate having to hear them. (I know that’s what I felt like) But we’re still here for you!
And also, I’ve just got to say, you are a really fast writer.
Thanks, Julia! I really do appreciate it.
(Oddly enough, I’m not usually a fast writer, haha! So this is odd…)
I’m so sorry for your loss, Kellyn. Will pray for you and your family <3
35k in nine days?! That's incredible!! Great job! Keep up the good work!
Thank you.
And thank you!
Grandparents are a gift that grows sweeter every year, and I’m glad you’ve had time and nearness to your grandpa to form those memories. As someone who never lived near her grandparents, and only met on grandpa, it is so precious to me when I hear of families that spend time with their grandparents and cherish them as I do mine. It’s always okay to take a break from writing when you have lost someone. I will be praying for you and your family, Kellyn.
Thank you!
What a beautiful tribute to your grandpa and grandma, Kell. My heart and hugs and prayers are with you.
Thank you, Andrea! <3 I appreciate it!
Hey Kell! Just letting you know that I tagged you for the Cover Love Tag.
https://greenteawithbooks.wordpress.com/2018/11/24/the-cover-love-tag/
Thanks, Lilian.