Carl Branch married my grandmother in 1961, making him my step-grandfather when I would arrive four years later. However, he was Grandpa Carl. The "step" part was never factored into the equation.
Grandpa Carl didn't talk much (more on that later) but he and grandma would always take us to the beach when we would visit. I think he was the most comfortable on or near the water. I still have my collection of shells from those visits. He and his brother owned a bar in San Leon, Tx. He was gruff but not mean. His tough and wrinkled skin was evidence of a hard life lived on the water but I loved him anyway. My favorite part of him rested in a clear jar in the bathroom...his teeth! I wish I had thought to ask him why he bothered getting dentures if he was never going to wear them. They were still there when we went to the house after his funeral service!
Grandpa didn't travel so he didn't meet my then husband until after I was married. I had warned Donald that Grandpa didn't talk much but not to take it personally. We arrived, introductions were made and I seldom saw the two of them with their mouths shut afterwards (Donald was a talker, too)! I asked Grandma when Grandpa started talking so much and she said he always had. I gave her a quizical look and she laughed. She then explained that he didn't talk to us when were younger because he didn't like kids! He died a short time after that visit. I am so thankful that I got to visit with him as a grown-up.
Grandpa Carl died instantly from a brain aneurysm.
Many thanks to my friend, Heather, for sponsoring Grandpa's memorial. You are a sweetheart!
Grandpa Carl didn't talk much (more on that later) but he and grandma would always take us to the beach when we would visit. I think he was the most comfortable on or near the water. I still have my collection of shells from those visits. He and his brother owned a bar in San Leon, Tx. He was gruff but not mean. His tough and wrinkled skin was evidence of a hard life lived on the water but I loved him anyway. My favorite part of him rested in a clear jar in the bathroom...his teeth! I wish I had thought to ask him why he bothered getting dentures if he was never going to wear them. They were still there when we went to the house after his funeral service!
Grandpa didn't travel so he didn't meet my then husband until after I was married. I had warned Donald that Grandpa didn't talk much but not to take it personally. We arrived, introductions were made and I seldom saw the two of them with their mouths shut afterwards (Donald was a talker, too)! I asked Grandma when Grandpa started talking so much and she said he always had. I gave her a quizical look and she laughed. She then explained that he didn't talk to us when were younger because he didn't like kids! He died a short time after that visit. I am so thankful that I got to visit with him as a grown-up.
Grandpa Carl died instantly from a brain aneurysm.
Many thanks to my friend, Heather, for sponsoring Grandpa's memorial. You are a sweetheart!
Carl Branch married my grandmother in 1961, making him my step-grandfather when I would arrive four years later. However, he was Grandpa Carl. The "step" part was never factored into the equation.
Grandpa Carl didn't talk much (more on that later) but he and grandma would always take us to the beach when we would visit. I think he was the most comfortable on or near the water. I still have my collection of shells from those visits. He and his brother owned a bar in San Leon, Tx. He was gruff but not mean. His tough and wrinkled skin was evidence of a hard life lived on the water but I loved him anyway. My favorite part of him rested in a clear jar in the bathroom...his teeth! I wish I had thought to ask him why he bothered getting dentures if he was never going to wear them. They were still there when we went to the house after his funeral service!
Grandpa didn't travel so he didn't meet my then husband until after I was married. I had warned Donald that Grandpa didn't talk much but not to take it personally. We arrived, introductions were made and I seldom saw the two of them with their mouths shut afterwards (Donald was a talker, too)! I asked Grandma when Grandpa started talking so much and she said he always had. I gave her a quizical look and she laughed. She then explained that he didn't talk to us when were younger because he didn't like kids! He died a short time after that visit. I am so thankful that I got to visit with him as a grown-up.
Grandpa Carl died instantly from a brain aneurysm.
Many thanks to my friend, Heather, for sponsoring Grandpa's memorial. You are a sweetheart!
Grandpa Carl didn't talk much (more on that later) but he and grandma would always take us to the beach when we would visit. I think he was the most comfortable on or near the water. I still have my collection of shells from those visits. He and his brother owned a bar in San Leon, Tx. He was gruff but not mean. His tough and wrinkled skin was evidence of a hard life lived on the water but I loved him anyway. My favorite part of him rested in a clear jar in the bathroom...his teeth! I wish I had thought to ask him why he bothered getting dentures if he was never going to wear them. They were still there when we went to the house after his funeral service!
Grandpa didn't travel so he didn't meet my then husband until after I was married. I had warned Donald that Grandpa didn't talk much but not to take it personally. We arrived, introductions were made and I seldom saw the two of them with their mouths shut afterwards (Donald was a talker, too)! I asked Grandma when Grandpa started talking so much and she said he always had. I gave her a quizical look and she laughed. She then explained that he didn't talk to us when were younger because he didn't like kids! He died a short time after that visit. I am so thankful that I got to visit with him as a grown-up.
Grandpa Carl died instantly from a brain aneurysm.
Many thanks to my friend, Heather, for sponsoring Grandpa's memorial. You are a sweetheart!
