The Greatest Story Teller

“Noodlin’! We called it noodlin’ boy, and we’d drag some whoppers outa them holes...... wade along the creek bank and stick our arms into them holes under water and pretty soon yank out about a thirty-five pound catfish! Hafta watch them water moccasins though, they’d hide in there too.”

And Grandpa would start another great story. I loved those late summer afternoons when we’d sit out on the porch before supper. I’d smell the chicken frying and ask Grandpa a baited question that would start him off on one of his stories; those fabulous stories I loved to hear. Years afterward, people would smile and say to me, “That Grandpa of yours’ was, without a doubt, “The World’s Greatest Storyteller!”

In Memory

Today we mourn the loss of Glenn Smith, "The Greatest Story Teller". Glenn passed away August 24th at the age of eighty-two. He is the father of Alice Byerley and the grandfather of Kevin Smith. He was my greatest friend as well and my father-in-law.

We spent many hours together on his front porch swing swapping stories and believe me, he truly was "The Greatest Story Teller" of them all. He was the inspiration and the model for my painting of the same name.

I can remember that when I unveiled the painting at an art show in Kansas City; Glenn came to the gallery dressed in the same overalls and bandana that he wore when he modeled for me. He stood next to the painting all evening and asked each person who passed by, "Say, you recognize anybody in this painting?".

He was a fine husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. We all loved Glenn and will miss him dearly.

Bob Byerley
August 25, 2004

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