Issue Date: December 14, 2007

Three words Grandpa left behind

By Jody Zink
Licensed Realtor in Ohio & Michigan

One of my earliest childhood memories is going with Mom and Dad to visit my Grandpa at the bank in Paulding, Ohio. I was much too young to know what it was all about, but as a 3-year old, I had ulterior motives. Just for showing up I knew I'd receive a DumDum sucker; get to sit on the plush, oversized leather chairs--and best of all, get to see the big vault where the money was kept.

While I patiently waited to see the vault, the grown-ups would talk and I would explore Grandpa's office. I remember photos of him sitting at the head of conference tables, shaking hands with other businessmen and signing papers. I was curious. It all looked very important. I wanted to be important, too.

As I got older, I learned Grandpa wasn't afraid of anything. His business endeavors included buying and selling all types of real estate, building more than 500 new homes in and around Paulding County, and developing subdivisions. He raised honeybees. He owned Noneman Lumber Company. He hauled coal, raised livestock and farmed. He and Grandma Violet together operated a hotel and restaurant. From 1973 to 1979 he was chairman and chief executive officer of the National Bank of Paulding and was also president of Utility Center, Inc. of Fort Wayne. I learned that when Grandpa spoke, people listened. I wish he'd written a book.

Grandpa was passionate about business. He loved commerce. The wheels inside his mind were always turning, searching for ways to solve problems. At age 90, he owned an Apple computer and would log on to AOL to check the markets. Occasionally I'd see him logged on and would send him an instant message telling him I loved him. Grandpa wasn't the type to express emotion, nor was he especially computer proficient, so I didn't necessarily expect a response. I'd sit there at my desk and wait awhile, but eventually leave the room and go about my day. That night I'd find a message that warmed my heart and always made me smile. It usually said something like, "stocks done good today, bye."

Grandpa died Saturday, December 1, 2007. Since then, I've learned things about him I never knew: While in the army, he held keys to the warehouse and offered beer to German POWs. He was a card carrying member of the NAACP. In 1935, he was the only kid in his class whose family could not afford to buy him a suit for graduation.

Jim Noneman accomplished quite a lot in his 90 years, but he was never one to boast. The simple things gave him the most pleasure: Mowing grass on his riding lawn mower. Growing tomatoes. Making microwave popcorn. And sitting on the front porch.

Compassionate, gentle and independent, Grandpa was a quiet strength. One thing he'd always say, "Hang in there." Whether it was getting through the latest slump in the real estate market, or just being affectionate, he'd say it to you, "Hang in there." I think it was his special way of saying, "I love you."

Jody Zink is a licensed REALTOR in Ohio and Michigan with the Loss Realty Group. Her column appears every other week in the Toledo Free Press. She can be reached at jody@jodyzinkrealtor.com or 419-725-1881.