Grady Haralson SHULER

GRADY H. SHULER

November 13, 1917 - October 21, 2001

Tucked away in our minds is a vision in which we see ourselves on a longjourney. We see children waving, cattle grazing, and fields of grain.But uppermost in our minds is our final destination - for on that day wego to see our Lord. So gently close the door on yesterday. Stop pacingthe aisles and counting the miles. Instead, swim more rivers, climb moremountains, kiss more babies, count more stars. Grady was the eldest sonof Graden and Hattie Shuler. His early years were spent in the hills ofnorth Georgia. Although his life led him to many places, his Southernaccent remained with him. In his teens, his journey led him to Colorado,where he met the love he would spend his life with. Grady and Ethelspent the first years of their married life working for various farms inthe Eaton/Greeley area.

Their first child, Alice Faye, was born in 1941. Gene was born in 1947and Wade in 1950. In 1953, Grady and Ethel packed up their kids andmoved to Wyoming making Eagle's Nest of Heart Mountain their home. Tedwas born in 1954. The years were spent raising crops and livestock,especially hogs. The years were good as well as hard. Grady and Ethelspent many days in the mountains camping, hunting, and fishing as well asenjoying of the great outdoors together, but Grady and Ethel's greatestaccomplishment was the raising of their children. No father was moreproud of his kids than Grady. He told everyone he knew of his pride andlove for them. He taught them that there was no such word as "can't".He instilled moral and ethical values, which were taught not only by hiswords but the way he lived his life. The kids were always told, "Thereare times when you may not have much other than your name and reputation,protect it. It will take you far." There was a man, who after workingon the roof of his house took the ladder down and left his son on theroof. The small boy called for his dad who told him to jump and he wouldcatch him. After many reassurances, the boy jumped, the dad steppedaside and the boy hit the ground. As he was struggling to his feet, hisdad told him he had just learned not to trust anyone, but you know, Gradyalways trusted everyone. The kids were always told that no matter whatthey did, they should always do the best that they could do. He alsotold them that the truth is nothing to be ashamed of and that they shouldalways tell the truth. Neighborhood boys were talking about how manysacks of beans they had made. Our beans looked every bit as good astheirs, but our production was lower. When asked about this, Dad said,"Well, when we sell our beans we will only get paid for the sacks wehave. Those extra sacks are like deer tracks, they don't make very goodsoup."

Grady was always available to assist the family in any way he could.Many, many miles were driven back and forth to town to get whatever parthis sons needed. He would stop what he was doing to render aid forwhatever family member needed him - even in the middle of the night. Asthe years passed came Grady's grandchildren - Deb, Brett, Ryan, Becki,Abby, Tawni, Jared, Tanner, and Tucker. Later came great-grandchildrenBrock, Brandon, and Jessa. When asked his advise on raising kids, hereplied, "It is simple, just do what is right." His grandchildren willremember him always telling them funny stories. His coffee cup wasalways available for dunking cookies. His pockets always jingled with acoin for the first little kid he saw. Adventures with grandpa taughtthem many things about animals, camping, and where to cast the fishingline. In his retirement years, he spent many hours cutting out woodenanimal figures. These little animals were given not only to hisgrandchildren, but also to any kid, big or little. At times he wouldleave a box of his animals on the counter at Linton's where even todayyou will find one of his many wooden pencil holders.

Whether you knew him as a husband, a father, a grandfather, agreat-grandfather, a farmer

or a friend, may a little of his spirit live on in each of you.

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