I came across this yesterday:

Doulglas W. Bel Jr.

Douglas Warren Bel Jr., 71, Bolivar, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Dec. 30, 1999. He was born Aug. 15,1928, in Springfield to Douglas Warren and Margaret Kelly Bel and was married Sept. 6, 1952, to Carolyn Ann Conrad. Doug served more than19 years in the U.S. Navy, during which he graduated from Officer's Candidate School and served tours of duty in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He ended his military career at the rank of lieutenant. He also was a graduate of the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies, where he earned his captain's license. He was a retired merchant marine. Always one to encourage and guide his family, especially by example, Doug was a firm believer in the lifelong pursuit of knowledge. He had completed the course of study of surveying. He also had several years of study at the university level, working toward becoming a financial planner. Doug was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bolivar. He was also a secular Franciscan and a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus. However, what he would most want his family, friends and all who knew him to remember about him was his spirit-filled belief in the sanctity of life for everyone, especially for those unborn. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Donna; their infant daughter; two brothers and one sister. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Carolyn; nine children, Kryschell Bel of Bolivar, Laura and her husband, Randy Lips, of Tickfaw, La., Douglas W. Bel III and his wife, Jenny, of Eugene, Ore., Denise and her husband, Max Baer, of Bolivar, Teresa and her husband, Thomas Gidus, of Oviedo, Fla., Matthew Bel of Bolivar, Mary and her husband, Frank Lopinto, of Amite, La., Frances and her husband, Kenny Haralson, of Bolivar, Patricia and her husband, Robert Price, of Bolivar; 33 grandchildren; and two sisters, Imeldia Bunselmeyer of Ozark, Ala., and Carolina Decker of Republic. Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (James 1:2). This is how he lived his life and would want those who loved him to also live.

It's the Obituary for my gradnfather. He's the man I most looked up to and he's the man I've always been most worried about being dissapointed in me. The saddest part of it all is that my son will never get to know the greatest influence in my life. I don't know how I'll be able to compare to this man when it comes to raising my little boy. I hope I can be half the man he was.