Grandpa Marble

Here's this weeks Neosho Daily column. Wanted to share with all the "fam".

It’s poignant that for the past couple of weeks I have shared memories of my grandfathers, and this week my kids lost one of theirs.

Big Al’s daddy, Don Marble, passed on exactly one week ago. He was a great man. Well renowned for his preaching, his teaching and his incredible dedication to his church and his family. It doesn’t even scratch the surface to say that his life counted, that he had purpose. As one of the many ministers shared at his funeral service “Brother Marble was a people builder.”

We lost count of the number that attended the visitation – at least 500. There were shuttles to the church for the service, so many wanting to attend and pay their respects.

About this time last year I wrote a column about one of the twin’s buddies Sam Williams. Sam was riding in honor of Don in the annual MS bicycle ride. Part of that column included the following:

Don Marble is strong. He was strong when he was in the National Guard – one of the proud 203rd. He was strong when he worked at Rocketdyne, helping to put Neosho’s name on the map. He was strong when he juggled a family, a small business, and a fledgling church. He was strong when he worked tirelessly to start a mission to the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico, which now serves the spiritual, educational and medial needs of hundreds of families.

Most importantly he is strong when he prays. Maybe he’s the quintessential “prayer warrior”. “Be specific” is what he always says when I call asking for prayer. He’s learned to cut to the chase. Go for the gut. Pray honestly. Pray strongly.

Sam…you’re riding for the twin’s grandfather who has MS. He’s also their grandfather who proudly served his country, helped build rockets that went to the Moon, owned his own business, started a church, and began an outreach program to some of the poorest people in Mexico.

He has MS, but MS has never had him.

It was a source of pride to all of us that MS never did get him. It was a heart attack that ended his time here on earth.

Only time can tell what a lasting impact the last few days of stories, pictures, preaching and sharing will have on our kids and the other grandchildren. They are part of a great legacy and each one carries part of their “poppa’s” determination, wit, and spirit.

They also carry memories of a grandfather that gave them rides on his motorized wheelchair, played dominoes with them, prayed without ceasing for their well being. What a legacy indeed.

Ist Large Y Hurdle Completed

Today was the 3 mile Walk Across America event - part of the Spud to Stud program. So far so good.

I have amusing experiences finding running shoes I like - told the poor kid working the shoe section that I was over 40, over weight, trying to run again after a 10 year hiatus and that the cheap shoes I currently had on were allowing me to jar my teeth loose....deer in the headlights stare from the kid. Bless his heart - he then asked me what my favorite color was....unbelieving stare from me. Oh boy! I repeated the old, large, teeth jarring speech again and he tossed a couple of boxes at me and ran for his life.

I'm usually near the back of the pack. I've also noticed that I'm the official "sweater" of the class. I hear sweat is good for you. I should be incredibly healthy for as much as I've perspired this last few weeks.

Tomorrow's a new milestore - walk 5 miles, run 5 miles....say ugly things under my breath as a gasp for breath and hope no one is watching....repeat 4 times.