Looking Back: A Year of Reflection – Honoring Grandad’s Legacy

One year ago today, my Grandad, Robert Joseph Carson, left this side of eternity for heaven at 104. His life, marked by faith, love, and intentionality, continues to shape our family deeply. On this anniversary, as a family, we reflect on his legacy. My wife Kelly and our children – Keaton, Kara, Kyler, and Korbin – share memories that help capture his life and impact – a task which is impossible with words. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” we honor a man who lived for Christ and now rejoices in His presence.

Grandad’s love for the Lord was the cornerstone of his life. Whether through conversation, music, whistling, or humming, to be around Grandad, you realized his love for Jesus Christ. As Kelly reflects, “I especially admired his love for the Lord and his family.” His personal faith in Jesus was not mere words; rather, a daily walk, a lifestyle of devotion, which was clearly evident as he prayed, as we observed his study of Scripture, and his service through his local church. At 100, as I wrote in 2020, he remained a testimony of God’s sustaining grace, serving His purpose with unwavering commitment. Whether leading his family in prayer or sharing stories of God’s faithfulness, Grandad pointed us to Christ.

His love and dedication for family was equally profound. Both Korbin and Kyler reflected on his love. Korbin, touched by Grandad’s personal care, remembers, “Even at 104, he was interested in me and called me by name.” Kyler recalls Grandad’s joy at 103 when meeting his great-great-grandson, Amari. Kyler shares:

“I am thankful for Grandad’s constant dedication to his family. His love for us was so apparent constantly throughout my life even in his old age. One memorable moment is when he met his great-great-grandson, Amari, for the first time. At 103 years old, he put all of his attention on my sister, brother in-law and their newborn. He asked them questions, congratulated them, and immediately fell in love with his new grandson. For the rest of that week his bond with my brother in-law and my nephew grew and grew. Watching Grandad live has given me a great example of how to be a man and how to treat those around me. I think back to his humor, intentionality and tender care very often.”

When Grandad turned 102, I reflected on the example he sets for each one of us. Grandad’s life displayed God’s mercy and kindness to everyone he knew – especially those of us in his family.

Grandad’s ability to make ordinary moments extraordinary shines in two other of our children’s memories. Kara cherishes a spontaneous Walmart trip:

“We were hanging out with Grandad at his house, and Mamaw needed something from Walmart. Grandad immediately turned to me and said, ‘Go get in the truck, we are going to Walmart.’ We had the best time going – just the two of us. He let me sit in the front and hang out of the window the whole way there.”

Keaton’s story highlights an ordinary moment that became extraordinary as well.

One memory I am especially grateful for is going night fishing with Dad and Grandad in Bowling Green. I remember sleeping under the console of his Ranger boat and y’all waking me up every little bit to show me fish after fish y’all were catching. Then, in the morning, we got back to his house, and Grandma had made us hot bacon and eggs – a very special time.

These stories reflect Grandad’s gift for creating joy, which was a trait rooted in his gratitude for life’s simple gifts like family.

As I wrote last year, shortly after his death, Grandad lived out Philippians 1:21. His life was Christ – evidenced in his service in the church, his love for God and others – especially family, and his joy in God’s creation. His death was gain, as he now worships before the throne with Grandma, some of his great grandchildren, many of his friends over the years, and a host of Hebrews 12 witnesses. Yet, his absence continues to leave a void. We miss his laughter, his stories, and his presence at family gatherings. Our 50th annual trip to Kentucky Lake this year was certainly different without him or Grandma being there. Still, his legacy inspires us to live with purpose, love deeply, and trust God’s faithfulness.

Practical Reflections for All of Us

Grandad’s life challenges us to consider our own. First, love God wholeheartedly. As the First Great Commandment teaches us to love God supremely, Grandad did. We need to let our faith shape every decision, as his did. Second, cherish your family. Again, this is so consistent with the Second Great Commandment, to love your neighbor sincerely. We need to take time to create memories, whether through a fishing trip, a spontaneous trip to Walmart, an intentional conversation, or a kind word. It was not just with his biological family either; he loved deeply his in-Christ family as well. Third, live with eternity in view. As Psalm 90:12 urges, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

How can you honor God and others today? As we have shared our memories, we invite you to join us in gratitude for a life well-lived. May his example spur you to live for Christ, knowing that to die is gain.

As we have shared our memories, we invite you to join us in gratitude for a life well-lived. May his example spur you to live for Christ, knowing that to die is gain. Share on X

A Conversation with Grandad and Some Wonderful Pictures

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My Memorial Post for Grandad: For Me to Live is Christ, To Die is Gain: In Honor of Robert Joseph Carson