That was the poem my grandfather had studied, memorized and recited for a speech class his junior year at Edison High School.

Thursday night at 10:30pm, Lowell Dewayne Formo moved on from this world. Survived by his wife Marolyn, deceased wife of 50+ years Maxine Formo, and 6 children (all with Maxine). Countless grandchildren and many great grandchildren will carry his legacy. Served in WWII, never told more than 2 minutes of what he did there. Uprooted his young family to be an educator and missionary for the Lord in South Africa for many years.

I wasn't going to post anything here about him, but for some reason felt compelled to. Not looking for any condolences, but just wanted to express my feelings for a hero of my life. I've avoided posting in any personal threads (Zero's grandmother and WPR's mentor i.e.) because I can't put words to how I feel for both Kevin and Wayne. Just know I empathize.

Even on death's bed, he had a sense of humor. He joked around with us, told me how he had a direct line of contact with my boss and always had a watch on me. The best thing I heard from him was that he was proud to hear that I was a hard worker and I was doing really good. I also heard him tell me that he loved me for the first time in my life. Was a man of few words, but when he spoke, people listened. He always expected great things of everybody.. and funny how I never misbehaved when with him because of that. I never wanted to see what would happen if I did. I'll never forget the respect he had with everyone I've seen him interact with. It was like watching Superman command the armies of the Justice League.

When it's my time to go home.. he'll be one of the first people I will seek out, just to tell him the man he helped me to become.

Gramps, to say you are a hero of mine is a GROSS understatement.

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sounds like a great guy that you were fortunate to have in your life.
sorry for your loss.

Like you said Jeremy, words just don't seem enough at a time like this. But KNOW that i know how you feel. The great thing is, you got to hear him say he loved you. That will help you through the tougher times.
That's also a good lesson for those that maybe don't say those 3 special words enough to their loved ones. We never know when it will be our turn to go. Don't wait to say it, as you don't know if when it IS your time, that will will get the chance to do so.
My Dad taught me a special lesson when i was just a little boy. He said "Always tell those that you love that you love them. You never know when it will be the last chance you get to do so." He died when i was 16, and i told him i loved him every day. He also told me he loved me. He died of a massive heart attack while in the hospital. Even though i told him i loved him as we left the night before he passed......what i wouldn't give to be able to tell him one more time.

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Well, today was the funeral / burial. I had the distinct honor of being a pallbearer. What I was unaware of.. that this was going to be a military-esque funeral. The chapel service was like every other service, with the exception of a flag draped over the casket. That was hard enough.

Then came the gravesite memorial.. along with the waterworks. Had the gun salute, taps being played (which fired up the waterworks something fierce) and and the flag being folded up and presented to my uncle (which ensured more waterworks).

I was thanked many times for being a pallbearer.. weird, because I couldn't imagine a higher honor, not just for a veteran of this country but for a personal hero.

Gramps was never one to wear 'bland' colors. He liked colors.. often he was seen wearing a light green shirt with an orange tie. In his honor I wore a gray suit, a light blue shirt with a red and blue striped tie. I could hear him giving me compliments on the colors.

One of the hardest things I had to do, but definitely one of the highest honors.

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Can't blame you at all for the "water works".
I would have cried too.

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