Volunteers Grant Man’s Dying Wish

SHAWNEE — A man who volunteered at his church and in the community is getting some help from volunteers. A labor of love has church members helping a man who gave much of his time. But, he didn’t have time to do something dear to his heart.

For several years, 84-year-old Robert Grier wanted to paint his fence when his health began to fade so did his vision of getting the project done until church members stepped in.

Members of Shawnee Park Christian Church have planned to paint Robert and Dee Grier’s fence for several weeks. It was going to be a surprise to Bob because it was something he really wanted to do before he died.

“My husband purchased the paint about 2 years ago thinking he could paint it,” said Dee Grier. “He bought two 5 gallon buckets, he was never able to do anything at all.  It was sad cause every time we would see it we would almost burst into tears.”

Two weeks ago Bob went into Hospice care for congestive heart and kidney failure. His daughter-in-law says he enjoyed visiting with friends and family as they came to say goodbye.

“Every man who came into the house he would say can you take me to the hardware store I’ve got get paint, I’ve got to get that pasture fence painted,” said Kathy Grier, the couple’s daughter. “I’ve got to get it power washed can you run me to the store and this was well after he was able to get out of bed.”

Jim Seals heard his friend’s dying wish and got members of the church to make it happen.

“I knew he was stewing about it and worrying about what Dee was going to do after he was gone,” Seals said. “I wanted him to know that she had a lot of church family that would be here after he was gone.”

While his old fence looks new again, Bob will not be able to see if from his window or deck because he died on Sunday morning. However, his family believes he’s looking down on them free of pain and at peace knowing his fence is mended.

Robert Grier’s family is planning to have a celebration of life service for him next week.