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Paw Paw
Allen Monroe Pyle—pictured above with his wife Margarete (whom we call “Mano”) is my grandfather. He’s had a great influence on my life since I was a kid. I observed his commitment to his family and his faith at an early age.
After multiple back surgeries, Paw Paw took a disability retirement as a Civil Servant from the Corpus Christi Army Depot the age of 50. He always talked about how the Government will take care of you, if you work hard and do your best work for the government. That lesson sticks with me today, as I serve as a Civil Servant with NASA.
I distinctly remember the summer when I was 15 years old. I chose not to play All-Stars for baseball that summer but instead spend a few weeks with my grandparents in Southwest Colorado. They always beat the Texas heat by spending their summers near Durango, Colorado. That summer, Paw Paw and I fished on the Vallecito Lake, worshipped in Trailer Park church services that he led, and sang gospel sing-a-longs on Sunday night. What a great decision—nearly 30 years later, those memories stick with me… In fact, I just took my family for a week-long vacation in Southwest Colorado. The scenery was as pretty as I remember, and it was nice to feel 70-degree temperatures in July!
From Paw Paw, I learned the importance of Faith (he lived what he preached), Family (he invested time in his marriage and family), and Fishing. He loved to fish and be out on the lake…and it was a special time for me to bond with him…
Pappy
Robert Allen Pyle—pictured above doing yard work with me nearly 30 years ago—is my Dad. God gave me a Dad who implanted values that produce Out of This World Leadership. Let me describe a few of them:
Excellence. Do your best. At an early age, I learned a strong work ethic from my father. I joined my father and brother in mowing and sweeping the yard before I was 10. I continued to help my brother, as we mowed yards for neighbors…and when he went to college, I continued the business, often mowing yards with Dad after baseball or basketball practice. Dad would always encourage me to do quality work. I recall a sign hanging in his Cabinet Shop that said, “If you can’t find the time to do it right, how will you find the time to do it over?”
Integrity. Do what you say. That was how Dad lived his life. People could depend on him. If he said he’d do something, you know it would be done. He also demonstrated integrity in his work, his marriage, and his family life.
Improvement. Get better over time. I remember Dad hitting ground balls to me over and over again to help me get better as an infielder. He would also pitch batting practice to my brother and me. He always strove to be better and imparted that same value to us.
Thanks, Dad, for helping me truly learn the values of Excellence, Integrity, and Improvement. I’m trying to impart those same values to my kids. In fact, I’m now helping Cody Allen, who is a 4th generation Allen—from Paw Paw, Pappy, and me (Brady Allen)…learn these values. He & I are starting to mow yards together, and I’m paying it forward, just as my Dad did with me (as evidenced above)!
Pop
Last week, we celebrated Pop’s 80th Birthday. That’s Wayne Smith from Lamesa, Texas, who is my father-in-law—pictured above with his wife Connie (or “Gram” to our kids). Here’s what I wrote to him—
When I married into the Smith family, I couldn’t have asked for a better Father-in-Law, who is a role model as a husband, father, leader, and servant for the church. Here are the 5 things I appreciate most about you:
Wisdom – As Matthew 7:24 says, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Thanks for always practicing Biblical truth.
Anchorman – Steve Farrar points out that God expects each father to anchor his family for at least 100 years. Fathers who invest in their children as you’ve done do it a little at a time, and like investments, the results build every day, every week, every month… Your faith now extends through both of your daughters to your grandchildren…
Your thirst for knowledge – Every day, you seek to learn, and you regularly share your knowledge with others. That keeps you young at heart!
Noble character – Your integrity and your character are above question and above reproach. Not many people have lived a life of such noble character, serving as a testament for who you are and who you serve.
Endurance – Like Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7, you have fought the good fight, you have run the race, and you’ve kept the faith! Thanks for your example of endurance which produces character & character that produces hope (Romans 5:4).
Oh…and I appreciate the influence you had on your daughter too!
These 3 Out of This World Leaders have certainly helped me shoot for the stars! On this Parents’ Day 2014, may you also have fond memories of the parental influences in your life and how they shaped your values, your character, and ultimately your leadership. But don’t stop there–seek to pass on those positive values and memories to others in your sphere of influence…