My Dear Grandpa

My warrior of a grandpa passed away on June 5, 2014. He lived a long and fulfilling life. He was very fun-spirited and loved to tease. He would serve anyone who needed help and had so much love for his family. His eyes were so full of love when they were around. Here is his obituary. 

ROBERT HUGH IVEY
June 26, 1929 - June 5, 2014
Robert (Bob) Hugh Ivey, Sr., after enduring many medical conditions over the years, finally succumbed to the toll on his body passing away peacefully June 5, 2014, surrounded by his family.
Bob was born June 26, 1929 in Kansas City, Missouri. His parents were Hugh and Ellen Ivey. The family resided in Pocatello, Idaho, where Bob went to St. Joseph's Catholic School and Pocatello High School where he participated in football, track and boxing. He was an Eagle Scout. He was also a member of the Idaho National Guard for nine years. 
Bob married Lonetta Larsen on February 2, 1954 in Pocatello, Idaho, and had four children; Rob Ivey (Deanna), Kim Ivey Madsen (Rock), Jacqueline Anne Parkin (Blair), and Kirk Ivey (Miriam).
Bob was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish. He enjoyed bowling and was the president of the Pocatello Bowling Association for two years. He was also the park president of Irving Little League. His hobbies were wide and varied including golfing and carpentry. He loved to play competitive pool and even attempted a game a week before his death. He was a permanent fixture at the Senior Center and helped and participated in the Senior Games. He also loved to play cards with his family, especially Hearts, and was wickedly good at it.
Bob was a very service-oriented man. He often did house repairs for the widows in the neighborhood and has continuously performed acts of service for others throughout his life. He was smart, kind, funny and onery. 
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Lonetta Larsen Ivey, his parents, Hugh and Ellen Ivey, his siblings: James Ivey, Roberta Jean Ivey and Julia Mauk. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, his grandchildren: Brant Ivey, Christopher Ivey, Todd Ivey, Natalie Hardy (Brant), Troy Tanner (Stephanie), Jessica Albanese (Renato), Jordan Tanner, Heather Sayer (Jeremy), Whitney Parkin and Brady Parkin. He is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren. Thank you to his wonderful home helpers, Rita Elliott and Jolene Nelson, and caring staff at PMC.
Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at 11:00 am in the Cornelison Funeral Chapel, 431 North 15th Ave., where the family will receive friends from 10 am until service time. Interment will follow services in the Mountain View Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N. 15th Ave., Pocatello, 232-0542. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.cornelisonfh.com - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/idahostatejournal/obituary.aspx?n=robert-hugh-ivey&pid=171265574#sthash.eBN1n5xB.dpuf

We would always joke around during our Sunday card game about people being "Bob" when they took too long to play. Meanwhile, he was counting cards and figuring out how to win.

This poem is something that helped me through the hard times.

His death shook me harder than I expected, as we had surgery on the same day and the surgery he had was one I had survived earlier in the year. It took me time to get over his passing, which is why this post has taken so long. I still miss him. I still wish he were here. I still wish things could be different. However, I know, without a doubt, that he is happy and with his family now. He is not suffering physically. His reunion was sweet in Heaven and I look forward to the day when I can see him again, hug him and let him know how much I love him and how much he's warrior-like strength has helped me.

Love you Grandpa. Until We Meet Again.