Gilbert Steele Metcalf

Died December 18th, 2020.

Born May 21, 1943 to Raymond and Mona Metcalf in Columbus, OH. He was proceeded in death by his parents and his son Rodney Metcalf. Survived by his daughter, Karen Myers - husband Martin. Grandchildren, Joshua Metcalf, Mitchell Myers, Megan Myers, Michael Myers - wife Courtney and William Myers. Sister Donna Roof-Suain, husband Daniel. Brother, Larry Metcalf, wife Pat. Nieces Mary Brown - husband Chris, Ramona Roof, Christine Skeslsky - husband Tom and Nephew Daniel Metcalf. Great Grandsons Ryder and Caleb.

What a cool name! He was unique right from the start. He was a leather jacket, white t-shirt, and Levi's kind of guy when he was young. He really did not like funerals because he always wanted to remember people the way they were. Given that, these are what I will remember about my Dad. In 1969, at age 26, he crashed his motorcycle when he fell asleep driving from CA back home to OH. He had broken both his arms and his legs. It was a miracle that he survived at all. Luckily an EMT had saw what happened and got help to him quickly. Due to his horrific injuries, the local hospital felt they would need to amputate all 4 limbs, but they contacted OSU hospital and transferred him where a surgeon, who became a lifelong friend, worked his magic with custom prosthetics and lots of hardware to put him back together. I was only 2 when this happened so I do not ever remember him when he was 'unbroken". There were so many surgeries and ailments he faced over his entire lifetime. I sat by his bedside in many hospitals, many times. I needed to be there for him. There were many things he could not do but he would always try and never give up! He was a fighter. He was a complicated, yet simple man. He admittedly made many mistakes but would always try to do better.

He worked odd jobs here and there throughout his life since he was disabled and in between those jobs, he had time. He gave my brother and I the priceless gift of spending that time with us. That was his currency, and it was invaluable and that is where are my memories lie. His odd jobs included: motorcycle mechanic, carnie, go cart track operator (lots of free rides) and I think is favorite job of all was in FL where he worked on a fishing charter boat. He would leave early in the morning and head out to the ocean for a day of fishing. He was happy, and boy was he tan! He would come home with a smile and always fresh fish for dinner.

He served in the Army and was proud of that. He had beautiful blue eyes! The same eyes I, Joshua, Mitchell and Megan all share. The kids called him "grandad" he loved that so much! He would light up with a big smile every time he talked to them. He was good and kind to them. He would say love you Pal to the boys and love you baby to Megan.

He loved going to the casino to play the slot machines! He would stay for hours and make those penny slots last as long as he could. Most recently, Marty was thoughtful enough to say we need to get him out and take him. Marty gave him money to play and I would sit next to him to help him. It did take him a while to pick out just the right machine. He spotted the perfect one called "Lucky 3", and it was! It reminded him of his little dog. He was a true dog lover! His 3-legged dog named Lucky was his perfect little partner. He was like a little mini me. He loved that little guy.

He loved anything outdoors in nature and with animals! He loved hunting with my brother. Whether they got a deer or not, it did not matter, he just loved being in the woods together. It was peaceful to him. He took us on lots of camping trips. Just hiking into the woods and finding just the right spot away from everything where it was quiet and peaceful. That is what he liked. He would go down to the creek behind our house and take Mitch looking for frogs. He was up for anything as long as he could get to it. He inspired Mitch's love of animals, nature, and the outdoors. He probably loved fishing most of all! There probably isn't a fishing hole in Ohio he has not been to. He taught my brother and I and he also taught all of my kids to fish. He probably went fishing with most of the people here at one time or another. He especially loved how Megan was not afraid one bit to put her own worm on the hook. She would cast it out there and if she caught something, he was so excited to her face light up and would help her reel it in and take it off.

He had many loyal, lifelong friends. He always like to surprise them and just pop in for a cup of coffee and a little chat. He would not stay long but never hesitated to make the trip. Through it all, he was always there when I needed him! He would always come if I ever called from anywhere at any time. I have heard from other friends and family, that they loved that about him as well and that he been there for them too.

He had a real comradery with Mitchell after he broke his leg. They had similar scars and hardware to match. He thought Mitch was incredibly talented with his music and loved that he had such a passion. He loved how sweet and kind Megan is. As his only granddaughter, he loved her smile and would call her baby. Plus, they were fishing buddies.

He loved Joshua beyond belief. The 1st grandchild! He absolutely adored him and was the first to hold him after he was born. As a single mom, he helped me with Joshua tremendously when he was little. They spent a lot of time together and have a strong unbreakable bond. Josh was the apple of his eye. He was always so proud and excited to hear about anything he was doing. He would go to great lengths to visit him no matter where he was living whether it was OH, TX or AZ. It did not matter how far. It was love that fueled him.

He taught me how to drive at 16- a stick shift - none the less. He was a good teacher and very patient! He was quirky! He had false teeth but would not wear them. He had a prosthetic arm but would not use it. He would never, ever quit smoking! He loved it too much. We knew him as Gilbert, Gib, Gil, Gibby, Bubby or Grandad. He loved Westerns and classic tv shows from the 50's to the 70's. He loved Motorcycles probably most of all! He raced them when he was young. He had the need for speed. I think it was the freedom he felt of the open road that he loved so much about it. Plus, he thought it was cool.

Donna - where do I begin. She is the most incredible sister ever. She is the definition of unconditional love. Even though he was her older brother, she cared for him his whole life. Words cannot even explain everything she did to help make his life better for all these years as he lived with her. Their bond was amazing. Oh, the stories she could tell. And then Dan - when he met Donna and fell in love with her, he probably did not know it right away, but he was getting a 2 for. All kidding aside, what an incredible thing to do as he lived with them for a long time. He was not easy by any means, but Dan was patient, understanding and kind to him and I appreciated that more than anything.

He was a good sport when I asked him to walk me down the isle for our wedding because I asked him to wear a tuxedo and get a nice haircut and beard trim. With no hesitation, he did it and boy was he handsome! And here is the photo to prove it! The 1st and only time ever in a suit. He pretty much did anything I ever asked of him. Pretty amazing.

He loved some funny things: KFC - extra crispy of course. Bob Evans biscuits and gravy. Peanut butter and jam sandwiches. Mountain dew. Reese's cups. Honey nut cheerios. McDonalds vanilla milk shakes and the occasional fish chicken or mix from long john silvers. He loved music! Josh, Meg, and I created a grandad playlist for today. We each picked songs that reminded us of him and ironically enough as our very 1st song, Josh and I picked the same song which was, Midnight Rider by the Allman brothers.

He was drawn to the ocean. He loved how the sun sparkled off the water. He would always say, you know there are some big ones in there. You cast out your line and you never know what you are going to get. He had always wanted to go to Alaska but never got the chance. He was a rebel and a hell raiser for sure and he could cuss up a blue streak. You all know it. Just keeping it real. Sometimes he would just sit quietly on his porch at home or in my back yard while I worked and just look out watching the world pass by it seemed. I am not sure what he was thinking but he was content.

There were certain things in his life that changed him forever. None more than the loss of my brother at 17. It shattered him. My brother was his best friend. They did absolutely everything under the sun together and were inseparable. He was never the same. I hope they are together now once again.

His stroke really affected him deeply. It damaged his personality and his funny side. His sense of humor. He was not as talkative after. The dad I knew had somewhat disappeared. Then came dementia and this last diagnosis of cancer. It is strange when you change roles with your parent. I needed to make decisions for him and his care. Donna and I were the dream team. We worked together through it all. The day we went to the oncologist to get the verdict if he was a candidate for chemo or not, the Dr. looked at me and said that it was terminal and Dad did not quite understand. I asked how much time and he guessed 3 months to maybe a year. We left the hospital and had a bite to eat at bob Evans so we could talk. I explained everything through tears. He squeezed my hand and said do not cry baby, we all must go sometime. He started crying and we just hugged each other tight. I dreaded having to take him back to nursing home. It was the toughest of days.

3 months to a year, I thought I would have more time. I had hoped to maybe take him on a road trip. To go somewhere beautiful that he could see one last time. The ocean or a beautiful lake or forest. We could listen to tunes, roll down the windows and sing once again. Just the two of us. But there was not enough time.

I think he comes to my mind the most when I hear certain songs. It triggers memories in times for me throughout his life. As a kid, I loved sitting behind him while he was driving in the car. He would have the window down; the radio blasting and we were singing. I could feel the wind on my face, and we would put our hands out the window and do that silly curving motion with your hands. I understood him.

He would want us all to remember him in our own way. The moments that we each had shared. Maybe when you see a majestic buck in the woods or a beautiful big fish, or a bad ass motorcycle or hear one of his favorite songs, you will think of him and you will smile.

Until we see each other again - all my Love Daddy!