Papa

My grandfather passed away peacefully last week.  It was bittersweet but I know him and my grandmother had one heck of a reunion.

I have many fond memories of my grandparents.  Recently it delighted me to take Clayton to see him.  He always told me how beautiful she was (which he always told me as well....even though many times I would question his eyesight because of my appearance).  One visit my mom put Clayton on his bed and she began crawling on his legs.  He said, "she is rough!"  We have laughed and laughed about it since Clayton is our wild child.  Clayton would scream "Papa" when we pulled up to his apartment but was very shy when she saw him.

 

 His obituary read:

James Brunot "J.B." Gaiennie passed away at his home on January 8, 2013 at the age of 91. J.B. was born December 13, 1921 in Shreveport, LA. He graduated from St. Johns High School in Shreveport in 1939 and attended Centenary College. His lifelong ambition was flying and he became a licensed pilot when he was 17 years old. He was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy in 1941 where he served as a Naval Aviator. He continued flying until the age of 79. After World War II, he became a partner in Gaiennie Wholesale Lumber Company, Inc. in Shreveport, LA. J.B. and his family moved to Monroe, LA in 1959 where he worked at Van-Trow Oldsmobile until moving to Memphis, TN in 1970. He became the owner of Regal Oldsmobile until his retirement in 1992. He was President of the TN Auto Dealers Assoc. and President of TN Motor Vehicle Commission. Preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Sally Mullin Gaiennie, mother and father, Kenneth Meeker Gaiennie and Marie Silvers Gaiennie of Shreveport, LA, his three brothers, William Gaiennie of Coronado, CA, Kenneth M. Gaiennie, Jr. of Shreveport and Gene R. Gaiennie also of Shreveport, also his grandsons Patrick G. Smith and P. Shelton Smith of Memphis, TN. He is survived by his three children, Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy Gaiennie, Mr. & Mrs. Johnny Gaiennie, Mr. & Mrs. Rocky Smith, nine grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. He was cared for by loyal, caring, nurses, Paula Taylor, Gloria Morris, Roxie Cathey, Doris Albright, Boo Meyers, Kim Smith and Phyllis Adams. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 1:30pm at Church of the Holy Spirit, 2300 Hickory Crest Dr. Memphis, TN 38119. The visitation will be at the church beginning at 12:30. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking any donations be sent to the Church of the Holy Spirit.

Papa will certainly be missed but forever remembered for his generosity, passion for flying & fishing, and his adoration for his family especially his grandkids.