Hey, Grandpa Wally! Another birthday for you! I just had another trip around the sun a couple of weeks ago. Thinking of you today and all the great things you accomplished here on Earth. Such a "good guy!"

Hey, "Good Guy!" You crossed my mind recently because my own father will be turning 90 this month, so I was thinking about all the great, old men I have known. It was an honor to have been able to spend time with you while you were tutoring math students at Alta Sierra Elementary School. I wonder what your thoughts would be about the Zoom and Hybrid education that was happening lately. Until next time... RIP.

Dear Shannon,
Thank you so much! I have never seen the invitation, and I think my Mom would love to see it again after all these years. Throughout their marriage, Dad always called her “my bride.” Right up until the end when his dementia got so bad that he couldn’t remember her name, she was his “bride” - he never forgot how much he loved her.
I’ll send the address by email. Your thoughtfulness will always be appreciated.
Shelley

While going through old papers, I stumbled on a original wedding invitation for Wallace J Smith and Lorraine Catherine Comiskey dated 1948.

I have no idea how this came into my possession and I’m unsure if anyone is interested in having the original but before I discard it, I wanted to make an attempt to see if anyone wants it. It also has the rsvp card for the reception.  It’s probably something you already have but I can’t bare throwing it away without making a effort to find someone interested in having it.

I can be reached at 972-795-7643 or shannon.l.bales@gmail.com

Dear Daddy,
I had a memory today that meant more to me than ever before. Back in the days when kids used to turn to their parents for advice, rather than the internet, I called seeking your wisdom on a very disturbing problem I was facing as a new homeowner. Here's how the conversation went:
ME: Dad, you've owned a lot of homes with lawns, right?
YOU: (laughs) More than I can count. Why do you ask?
ME: Oh Dad, my lawn is at least 50% clover! I can't stand it. It looks terrible. Can you recommend a kind of weed killer and fertilizer I can use? I know its going to look even worse once the clover dies. I don't know what to do!
YOU: (Uncomfortably long pause....) Is it green?
ME: Well, yeah, clover's green, but -
YOU: Don't sweat it. Everybody's lawn has clover.
Words to live by. Thank you. Miss you. Love you.

( I wrote this on March 17, 2020 and forgot to hit publish)
Dear Daddy,
More than ever, you are on my mind today. Our government has ordered that we shelter-in-place to keep a crazy worldwide virus from spreading throughout the city/county/state. I'm so glad you are not here to witness this. I know you and Ron are watching over us and keeping us safe. If you were here I know you'd be perfectly level-headed and comforting - something we could all use right now. It's been a lonely 3 years without you. I sorely miss your guidance and wisdom. But I also see your smiling face in pictures throughout my house and it always brings a smile and sense of peace to me. Oh, and the airlines might go bankrupt. Who'da thunk?? 

Wally,
Where'er ye be, a Happy St Patrick's Day to ye.
Slainté!
Jack

Five years since your passing, Grandpa Wally. It's nice to pause a moment to remember you today.

Another birthday for you! As I wind up my four year term as Trustee for Nevada County Board of Education, I can only hope to somehow leave as lasting impression on education as you did. Well done, "Grandpa Wally!"

My Dearest -
To say you are tremendously missed is an understatement. Life is not the same without you. Thank you for being such a wonderful father to our children and caring husband and friend and mate. Our married life was something out of a fantasy book and you are missed more than I can ever tell you!
Lorraine
3/17/09

Happy Birthday, "Grandpa Wally!"

Dad kept us safe. He kept us fed. He kept us educated. He kept us entertained. He brought us to Disneyland. He enabled us to travel throughout the world. He disciplined us when we needed to be disciplined. He spoiled my Mom with anything she wanted.

In the 60’s, he was the role model depicted in these shows:

Father Knows Best
My Three Sons
The Andy Griffith Show
The Dick Van Dyke Show
Mr. Cleaver in Leave It To Beaver
Make Room For Daddy

He was the best Dad anyone could be blessed with.

I'll see you in the back left corner of Heaven, Dad. I love you like a Brother.

Happy Birthday Daddy. We are all together and celebrating your life. A day doesn't go by that I don't miss you. A week doesn't go by that I don't quote you. I know you are with us every step of the way.
XOXOXO

Happy Birthday Uncle Wally

We have been blessed to have had Wally as a husband and father to our five children. We had 67 years together and we all agree we were not prepared to see him leave us. He was a loving husband and father and we could ask no more of him. We will miss him dearly.

Here's looking at You, kid!

Wally was the kind of guy you liked right from the start. I did...so much so in fact that I decided to attempt to become his son-in-law. I was successful in that effort, and at least from my perspective, it was a most fortunate outcome. Not only did I get to spend more time with Wally, I got to marry his beautiful daughter Shelley. I am truly honored to have known Wally and to be among so many celebrating his life.

Wally was, of course, a loving husband and father, one generous to a fault. He was also sharp as a tack, and had a great sense of humor. Few could tell a story or a joke better than Wally. And I consider myself very lucky to have been around to hear a good number of them over the years.

Perhaps the thing I loved most about Wally was his own abiding love of my daughter Morgan. He and Lorraine were surely the best grandparents any kid could have. Morgan felt just as much at home at their house as at ours.

They truly took her under their wings. They engaged her in dinner table discussions, both humorous and serious; they encouraged her academically, and they followed through by attending many of her school functions -- even when they occurred during the cocktail hour. Moreover, they took the time to introduce Morgan to their favorite pastime, golf, at the Alta Sierra Golf Club in Grass Valley, where she not only quickly became known to practically everyone as Wally and Lorraine's granddaughter, but also as a reasonably competent player.

So, while it seems woefully inadequate to say, I do want to say, "Thank you Wally and thank you Lorraine...for everything."

I am Wendy Baker, the teacher from Alta Sierra Elementary School who brought Wally to our school and students. I had started an after-school homework/tutoring program in 1993 and had ninety students participate! I contacted Retired Volunteer Seniors Program (RSVP) for help, and "Grandpa Wally" came to my rescue. For years, he continued to volunteer in my math class to help children understand math concepts and multiplication facts. To this day, I continue to distribute and use the multiplication table he brought to us. He also helped prepare our students in algebra in order to compete in the annual county math tournament. I once wrote a submission letter to nominate him for "Volunteer of the Year," for which he was duly deserving. He was quite humbled by the nomination. I also remember him proudly boasting of the many achievements of his granddaughter, Morgan, almost as much as he complained about his golf game! I am still teaching at Alta Sierra Elementary School (this is year 37 with one more on the horizon before retirement), and have witnessed many changes over the years. But, discovering whose life we have touched and how deeply we have touched is always a wonderful surprise. It is truly an honor to have known such an amazing, accomplished man. Rest in peace, "Grandpa Wally," and thank you for all you have given us.