James H. Salyer

He was from Joe's Creek, James H. Salyer was his name.

Being kind, strong and helping others was his fame.

He raised ten kids, five pretty ladies and five strong men.

Grandma Allie was his love and he loved her til the end.

Each day he would work in a grocery store,

Then he would come home and work some more.

Everyone on Joe's Creek I am sure will agree,

A more loving and neighborly man there will never be.

When his neighbors needed help, they knew on who to depend.

The only payment he asked was someday they'd give him a hand.

My dad died when I was only three,

Leaving my mother, brother and me.

We lived with my Grandpa for a time after,

And the days spent there were filled with laughter.

He would take me places, to grind corn or the stockyard.

On butchering day, I'd scoop cracklings from the rendering lard.

He would carve from wood, toys and guns.

They meant more to me than the store bought ones.

I remember the little things he told me.

They meant very little to me then as I could see.

With each little piece of advice and information,

He was laying up my life's foundation.

My Grandpa taught me a lot about life,

Not to worry about it's trouble and strife.

Take each day as it comes and help others when you can,

And to try to stay to some sort of plan.

Life changes and rearranges the most well thought plan,

Don't get discouraged and forget how to stand.

These things Grandpa taught to me,

As a child sitting on his knee.

He would play the banjo and sing songs like I never heard,

Groundhog, Old Joe and That Great Speckled Bird.

He would play and sing for hours, at our request,

No matter how tired he was, he always did his best.

Those days with Grandpa are the most vivid for me,

Sitting on the porch floor, looking up and clapping with glee.

When he died it was a warm sunny day,

Everyone else in the house was away.

He just went to sleep on the porch, resting in a chair.

The look on his face was of peace and not a care.

My Grandpa was as good as any man could be.

Now the children in Heaven probably sit on his knee,

As they listen as he plays his banjo and sings.

About his life on earth before he got his wings.

He was from Joe's Creek, James H. Salyer was his name.

Being kind, strong and helping others was his fame.

James Henry Salyer, a man above men.