Today my grandfather was laid to rest in the Korean war memorial in Gustine, California with full military honors.
I requested to my family to do a speech for him, and they agreed.
Here is my speech about the wonderful man my grandfather was.
My grandfather, Michael Clark was a man who was born with almost nothing, he
neither had shoes, nor a floor under his feet, but even with nothing, he wanted to
give every thing. One of his first aspirations was to become a doctor, but after being
told that was economically impossible by school counselors, he ended up enlisting
in the Army as an officer. There he became a teacher of many practices including
jujitsu, and automotive theory. Since then, and until his passing he continued to
practice teaching as much as he could, but rather than the trades he taught in the
Army, what we all remember him for is what we had learned from him, for his entire
life he taught the simplicity of kindness, and lead by example of that.
Aside from a teacher my grand father was driven, he worked for what he loved, and
he always made sure to follow through. In the Army it brought him up through the
ranks in record speed, but back home he had raised three loving children and he
continued to raise his grandchildren with the same passion.
The same qualities that brought him to become a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army,
Mayor of a Japanese village, and corporate business man were never held back even
when dealing with me, Tyler Wiest as a young boy. He always had a never-ending
courtesy and a can do attitude, with professionalism and kindness.
Growing up, he brought me everywhere, as long as we weren’t late, and so long as
he could buy me ice cream from Mcdonalds. My grandfather worked with me on
my school-work tirelessly and he never complained about it, even after I gave him
a hard time from my immature stubbornness. His tireless positive attitude has had
an enormously profound effect on my life. With out my grandfather being there
growing up, I can guarantee all of you, I would barely be half the man I am today.
With all that being said, I thank you so very much, and I love you papa.
