Harry R. "Bus" Phipps

I shared these thoughts on my FB page the day my Grandpa passed... I´d like to share here to let everyone know how much he meant to me...
"The greatest man I have ever known, passed away this morning and went to his eternal home in heaven with Jesus. I´ve met countless famous people in my life, even stood face to face with Tiger Woods, but this man stood head and shoulders above them all. He was the kindest man and the most gentlest soul, I don´t think he had ever met a stranger.
I use to love spending time with him as a kid, he taught me how to use a hammer, swing a golf club, love the country and the song of the crickets at sunset. He gave me my love of strong, black coffee (even though he kept his secret of putting sugar in his for as long as I´ve known him!), and golf too. he was there when I got my first eagle, and broke 80 for the first time.
He saved my life not long after I graduated high school, and guided me off the wayward path I was speeding down, and set me on the straight and narrow making sure I didn´t miss the bus to Air Force basic training. He never judged me for the mess I was in, never said a cross word about it, he just loved me and kept me moving forward. He was a veteran himself also, serving in the Army during WWII... I called him every single year on May 23, for 28 years, thanking him for putting my long haired hippy butt on that bus to basic. By the grace of God and my Grandpa, I am who I am today, to whom I am eternally grateful.
He lived a good long life, for which I am sure he was proud of, although you would never here him boast or brag about anything. He was dearly loved by so many, my first grandma who he loved completely through thick and thin, till her last breath. Then our bonus Grandma Evelyn, who he married later on, but to see the two of them together, just brought joy to my heart! My heart breaks for you Ev...
I will miss talking about life and politics with you Gramps, and about golf and my golf course, the weather, and of course my kids and grand kids... I loved that he always asked about them, and oh how his face lit up to see their pictures!
96 and a half years is a good long life Grandpa, I am grateful for the 54 of them I had privilege of being your grandson. I miss you so much Grandpa, I wish I could have been there by your side to tell you again how much I love and cherish you. but I am so glad your knees aren´t hurting anymore! I´ll bet you ran and jumped for joy the moment you opened your eyes in heaven!
I will see you again one day Gramps, until then, fairways and greens, and make Sammy putt everything out!"

Our condolences to all the Phipps family at Harry´s passing. Wish we could have known him!
Richard and Ruth Stiff