Grandpa Jack

My Grandpa Jack is a phenomenal man. Here is some of what I know about him:

He grew up in Brooklyn during World War II, where he was selected to attend a technical high school (read: place where geniuses go). Many hilarious events happened during there, including the setting off of a cherry bomb in the bathroom...keep in mind that one of his best friends at the time was the older brother of Elder Robert D. Hales. His family moved to Utah when he was a teenager, and after overcoming some general teasing for his Brooklyn accent, he thrived throughout high school. He served a mission in Hawaii, and never quite got over it. His love of the landscape and culture was passed on to his children and grandchildren in many ways. He married his sweetheart in the Laie, Hawaii temple a few days BEFORE he was released as a missionary. On returning to the states, he graduated in Nuclear Physics from the University of Utah (but was an avid Cougar fan, so we'll forgive him his alma mater). He worked for the INL for many years as an engineer. When I was a kid, he used to tell me stories about "when he was a little girl." This generally made me laugh (although sometimes I admit it terrified me just a little). He had myself and at least 3 of my cousins convinced that he had swallowed a watermelon seed and the watermelon was now growing in his belly! He always had a large container of popcorn covered in Parmesan cheese ready for his grand kids to eat when they came to visit. He has 4 daughters, 18 grand kids, and many great grand kids. The last time I saw him, he was lamenting the dismal season BYU's football team is having, frustrated at Internet Explorer, since it keep crashing on him, and very proud of his newest great grand kids, who's pictures he had up on the bulletin board in his kitchen. He was also very excited about the new landscaping he'd just had done in his front yard. I am so glad we took that opportunity to visit.

Grandpa Jack was reunited with his wife on October 11th, 2010. It was their 58th wedding anniversary. We will miss him, but the things we've learned from him will live on in what has to be the greatest family ever:

The Sanders Family - October 16th, 2010

We love you Grandpa Jack, we'll never forget you!