For today, he shall go with God.

I will be taking another unusual turn today to celebrate the life of my grandfather. Luther Leroy Singletary.

My grandfather grew up in Durant, Oklahoma; a small town just north of the Oklahoma-Texas border. He was born in the 1920's (i'm uncertain of the exact year) in a large family. They were farmers, as most people were back then. My grandfather had no more than a 6th grade education, but he went on to do wondrous things.

My grandfather joined the US Army during World War II. He rose through the ranks and became an MP. He was stationed on the pacific island of Biak. My favorite story he always told us was when he would sneak of his post for a cup of coffee, and trust me, the man would do anything for coffee. After the bombing of Nagasake and Hiroshima, he was sent to Japan in one of the first few landing forces, and honor that he would not receive his medal for until he was in his 70's. After the war, he retired to a small town south of Houston.

He began working for DOW after his service with the US Army. Though he lacked a formal education, his knowledge of machinery helped his immensely. He and a co-worker built many vehicles for use in the plants that were unheard of before. While working for Dow, he also had 4 children: my late Uncle Darryl, My mother, my aunt Sherry and my Uncle Pat. My uncle Darryl was the only one to follow in my grandfathers footsteps and serve our country in the armed forces, but pneumonia took him before I was able to meet him.

My granfather retired from Dow either before I was born or soon after. His love for geneology spurred his purchase of our family's first home computer, and to this day he still used a computer. His research proved he was a decendant of many figures in the American Revolution, a fact which I am proud of. My grandfather followed the Houston Astros and Rockets quite regularly and rarely missed a televised game. He also watched NASCAR quite regularly, and was proud of a family member who worked for his favorite driver in his pits.

These are just the accomplishments he's known for. My grandfather was a loving man. His family always came first. That's the one thing I will always remember him for.

I love you Pa-Pa. I miss you already.