Tribute to Grandpa Maynard

This was the last picture taken with Grandpa just before we drove away to New York. It was a sad good-bye.

I jumped out of the car July 9, 2008 to get one last picture with Grandma and Grandpa Maynard. I wasn't sure if it would be the last time...My eyes are teary.

This is my favorite picture with Grandpa M. Elijah is 2 months. What a treasure to see him holding his great-grandson! I am so glad they met. I treasure this time they had together.

I think they are smitten with one another! May Grandpa's faith be passed to this little guy.

"Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord....may you live to see your children's children" Ps. 128.4, 6

Nate wrote a beautiful tribute to Grandpa and sent the audio file to be heard during the funeral. Here it is in his words:

Nate’s Reflections about Grandpa

This is Nathan, Grandpa’s eighth grandchild and third child of Bob and Vicki Becker.

I have so many fond memories of my beloved grandpa. When I was very little, I remember my family members always saying that I was just like Grandpa, or as they would put it, I was “the spittin’ image of grandpa”. I guess I took that as a compliment since I considered Grandpa good in math, having a good firm personality, and good-looking.

One time, when my family lived in Virginia and my grandparents were driving down to visit us, I remember standing near the mailbox at the end of our long driveway for a couple of hours, anxiously awaiting their arrival; I just couldn’t wait to see them!

I also remember the joy I had when I gave Grandpa back-rubs in their living room, especially when he would pull out a nice green George Washington out of his wallet after I had finished.

Many of the memories are from when my brother Stephen and I visited Grandma and Grandpa for three consecutive summers during my middle school years. I remember that we: played lots of Skipbo games, and we also helped grandpa tear down that old barn; we then transported all of the logs and beams for his next project, which was to build the future Maynard gazebo. The following summer, we actually helped construct that pavilion, or at least we thought we were helping. Grandpa had Stephen up in the tree while I was frantically trying to follow all of his instructions of where and how to hold the beams.

During those years, we also helped him mow Grandma Ingricks’s large yard as well as kill all the annoying woodchucks. Looking back at it all, it’s amazing that Grandpa put up with all of our mistakes and accidents as much as he did. He did get pretty upset with me, though, during the several mishaps of me almost wrecking his tractor mower.

But, one of my fondest recollections, no matter what age I was, was being able to sit or stand next to Grandpa outside on the front porch as he smoked his pipe, and smelling the glorious scent, that, to me, was uniquely Grandpa. For me, that was a special and intimate way of connecting with him, sort of like male bonding, I suppose.

Things I admire about Grandpa, there are many:

-that he was always good at working with his hands
-that he had a strong work ethic and dedication
-that he was really smart yet also down to earth and personal
-that he had conviction and a back-bone
-that he said what he meant and meant what he said
-that when he was serious, you knew it and you’d be straighten up and get your act together in a hurry.
-but also, that there were other times when he was a real jokester and just fun to be around
-that he loved his kids and grandkids, and he displayed that love and devotion in so many tangible ways
-that he consistently wrote letters and birthday cards, as well as included nice checks within many of those cards
-that he was devoted to his family more than about anything

But, probably the greatest thing I admire about Grandpa is the heritage and legacy he has left among his family and descendents, particularly the heritage of his faith and godly example. As Psalm 61:5 states,
“For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.”

I am so thankful that both my Grandma and Grandpa turned to the Lord in the early years of their marriage. Because of that, their faith and Christ-like living has passed on to my mother, and now also to my siblings and me. It is indeed a heritage to treasure, and it inspires us to pass it on even to the next generations.
So many families today are broken, with no heritage, no legacy, no moral examples or standards, no Christ, no foundation. They are lost and full of grief, bitterness, and guilt. My heart deeply goes out to them. Even more so, I’m so thankful for the blessing of such a wonderful heritage I’ve received, which stems greatly from Grandpa’s faithfulness, convictions, dedication, and love. It truly is a legacy to celebrate and continue.

We love you so much, Grandpa! Thank you for more than I could ever express. To God be the glory!