We never called him Grandpa tho.
To us he has always been Gandang.
Think of a kid trying to pronounce Granddad and you might understand where our name for him comes from.
Gandang knew more pain in his life than any single human should ever have to bear… but he also knew more love than anyone could ever hope for. I like to think that is why he kept fighting and why he ultimately lived almost a full century.
He grew up in an orphanage, was a veteran and served in not 1, but 2 military branches; the Navy and the Air Force, married my grandma, had two sons, traveled the world, served in 3 wars, and survived a plane crash after being pulled out of the flames by a VERY good samaritan.
The doctors said he would never walk again…and tho he felt the pain of his injuries every day for the rest of his life… the doctors were wrong. He damn sure walked out of that hospital.
He loved his family, his dogs, planes, science, snorkeling (back when he was able to), reading, a good bowl of ice cream, comfy slippers, and so many other things… but most of all…
He loved my Grandma, Nan.
All marriages will face challenges… but few will come close to overcoming what Nan and Gandang endured. Even just saying “Nan and Gandang” seems more like a single word to me, not a reference to two individual people. They came as a pair… a little power pack… and when I think of a marriage and everything that it represents, they set the bar…
And even after almost 70 years together he would still give her the occasional smack on the butt.
He was tough and stubborn and a big softy all at the same time. He would tell you like it is. There was no sugar coating things. In fact, he’d probably be irritated that I said he “passed away” instead of saying he “died” (we had a conversation specifically about this one time and he hated the fluff). He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, you listened. And he was hilarious in the best dry humor kind of way.
He took with him the memories of a thousand untold stories and a big piece of all of our hearts… and he will be sorely missed.
In loving memory of Jimmie Pollock.
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