Me and Papa have been cool since ’86.

“Papa sick”. Colette keeps saying it this morning. She’s right. Iron Man is sick and has been in some capacity for a little while now. In the middle of social distancing and self quarantine life, our family gathered together. There are a few entities in life that surpass every edict in the land and one of those is Ken Frontz. So, we gathered and it was good.

      I wasn’t sure how the night would unfold. On the way to my Papa and Memaw’s house there wasn’t the usual anticipation. We all knew why we were there. It wasn’t to open gifts on Christmas eve, hunt for eggs on Easter Sunday, or even move loads of dirt because that’s what you do with Papa. We were there to say goodbye to our Iron Man, our handyman, our Papa.

       As a pastor I have taught many times on the apostle Paul’s charge to the church to run the race well, live a life worthy of the gospel. Ken Frontz has run one incredible race worthy of the gospel. When we observe others for a season we notice things about them that they may not even know or take credit for. Watching Papa run his race has been an honor I, and many others, have been unworthy to observe but in doing so I noticed some things.

      Ken Frontz is strong.  However you define strength or apply it Papa is the perfect picture of strength. As a kid/teenager I would do some work with him and I honestly would marvel at how this old man never grew tired. Even when he called for a break I learned we had different definitions. He would sit down, drink some water, tell me a story about a job in the navy or on a farm when he was a teenager, and then he would get back to work like all his energy returned. He would shovel dirt and gather more in one load than humanly possible. He would work all day on a project and then in the evening go work for someone else with issues they might be having at their house. But he wasn’t just physically strong. He would listen to you and bear your burden. If you had a need he would do whatever was needed to handle it. He would carry everyone else’s problems because he was made of Iron and that is what he was made to do. Ken Frontz is the picture of strength.

Ken Frontz is determined. I used to love sitting with him and hearing stories about his days with the Navy. He would share with me stories about the work he did on P3’s. When others said the plane couldn’t be flown across the height and distance needed while being down an engine, Papa proved otherwise and in the process set some world records. I loved hearing about him shooting at a crow one early snowy morning in Maryland then waking his boys to join him as they were to help track it. They spent all day in the snow. No bird to show. He never seemed to let go of it. His determination wasn’t just in his work. He was determined to be the best husband, dad, Papa, friend. He loved Memaw. Spoiled her. Flirted with her. Numerous times I recall him messing with her while looking at me out of the corner of his eye with a smirk on his face.

         There isn’t one grandkid who failed to feel thought of and special to him. He wasn’t just the grandkids Papa. He was many others “Papa Ken”. I always thought that was the coolest thing. Other kids wanted my Papa to be their Papa. I could understand why. But he was determined to make every person feel thought of, cared for, loved. He was in the Navy, a part of JSO for 33 years, facilities manager for a church, plumber, truck driver, mechanic, electrician, contractor, eagle eyed golf ball finder, and so much more. Whatever role he played he gave it everything. Ken Frontz is determined.

        Ken Frontz is a teddy bear. The man has a tool for every job. He has hands that made a vice grip seem weak. There was not a project he could not handle. But ask him to pray for the family at Thanksgiving and prepare for water works. It progressed every year until finally became something like “Dear Precious Heavenly Father, mumble mumble *clears throat to gain composure* broken speech, Amen” His prayers were the sweetest because they were a pure picture into his heart. He loved and loved deeply. There was never a child who he would refuse his “baby talk”. When we were real young he would chase and tickle us and although we acted like it was terrible, it was the best. When I was 9-10 years old our family lived with Papa and Memaw. I would wake up earlier than most but never earlier than Papa. Coincidentally, he always seemed to be ready to eat cheerios and applesauce right when I would come into the kitchen. Almost like he was waiting for me or something. We would eat together while he had the news on the TV in the background. He would hand me the comics portion of the newspaper while he worked on the crossword. I look back now and know that while he could have started working on his projects earlier this teddy bear waited for his grandson to come have a bowl of cheerios and read the paper.

       Ken Frontz is a servant. I have never met a person who serves like Papa. Always meeting the needs of others with no regard to his own gain. When I was a teenager he offered to pay me $10/hour if I would help him put in a septic tank for an elderly couple down the road. I worked alongside him for 3 days. We went to Home Depot numerous times and purchased supplies and a cold Root Beer multiple times over those 3 days. When we finished the man came out paid Papa. We loaded into Papa’s truck and he handed me all the money the man just gave him. I objected but he said thats what I was due and that he knew what he was doing. Papa was doing 3 days work for his neighbor and he lost money.  (I never said he was a savvy businessman.) He worked hard but that was a means to an end. He often worked so he could serve. He was on security at our church and would be seen picking up trash all over campus or leaving notes on cars to inform the driver their tag was close to expiring. Whenever people connect the dots that I am Ken Frontz’s grandson there is almost always a story of how he helped them. Papa served because it was the best way to reflect the gospel. I heard years ago “You are never more like Jesus than when you are serving others”. Well, Ken Frontz emulated Christ quite well.

       I stood at the end of his bed last night and found myself overcome with emotion. Such a rollercoaster of grief, thankfulness for what lies ahead for him, and memories of the story he intentionally created in life. Even though Iron Man’s race has come to an end this race has been one run well. Papa has been one of the greatest influences on my life. He recreated himself in my own father. He displayed great care, character, and consideration for others. Ken Frontz is my Papa. Thankful for one last night with Iron Man.