Jack Clyde Grassmyer

Jack loved his family. This is what his mommy and daddy read at his funeral:

Our Jack Clyde -JC - Jack-o, Jackie, Jacquard.

His medical journey began at 4 months old. He was first a jack-o-lantern, then a jack in the box and every other Halloween costume was a Jack theme. Jack didn’t celebrate Halloween this year, but if he did he would be the Jack of all Trades.

The Jack of all Trades

Jack the beautiful boy:

Long Eye lashes

Infectious smile

Froggy legs

Mommy’s Beautiful blue eyes

And daddy’s nose

The way he stretched and twisted his neck so he didn’t miss a thing - especially looking out his window.

Don’t forget that hair - but only professionals can cut it - not mommy

Jack the patient:

Children’s hospital of Pittsburgh has always brought us a sense of calm and peace. When we could see that building on the horizon we felt comfort.

Children’s doctors walked the path beside us and Children’s nurses held our hands (and kept the doctors in line!)

While waiting for Jack’s diagnosis we were encouraged to take a walk. We found ourselves sitting on a bench outside in front of CHP. A random woman saw the fear and grief in our eyes and stopped to talk to us. She gave us a sense of peace. She happened to be from Altoona.

Jack has been on every floor of that hospital and even the roof. He’s a VIP. And very loved by so many at CHP.

Dr. Choi - Jack’s coordinating pediatrician for over 6 years. She’s been such a constant our life. She says we are her favorite tall people.

Dr. Tyler Kabara, Dr. Zach Tempel and their incredible team has meant the world to us. We became part of the neurosurgery family when Jack was 1 and a half. These surgeons tirelessly worked to save his life time and time again.

Crazy Carol May - where would Jackie Jack be without her. Carol has guided all of us every step of the way way, down to his last breath. She always knew exactly what he needed. You know she’s somebody when ICU doctors and Chief physicians say let’s talk to Carol first.

As Jack’s first neurologist Dr. Gedela told us - we will get Jack to his destined destiny.

Here we are.

Jack the client:

Home nursing agency BAYADA pediatrics

Family Hospice

These nurses and staff members made the last 8 years possible to keep Jack home and allow us to work and take care of each other.

Jack the Teacher:

Jack often visited Saint Francis University with his mother to help educate and prepare future teachers, occupational therapists, and nurses.

Jack guided his surgeons through his complicated brain surgeries - all ten of them . He made so many of his brilliant doctors scratch their heads and say “He’s complicated”.

He taught so many.

Jack the friend:

Jack had many special friends. Friends that were special like him. Friends that enjoyed interacting with him. Friends that spent summers swimming with him. Friends that made him giggle and smile.

Friends that rode motorcycles and friends that have tattoos.

Jack the little brother:

Attention stealer but so loved by his big sisters. So patient and kind, the girls have so much love for Jack in their hearts.

Jack the nephew and cousin:

The love from family has always been undeniable. Jack gave everyone the purest love.

Jack the grandson:

Pappy and Grammy love Jack more than life itself. They spent their time in competition for smiles. Singing, shaking balloons, fart noises and kiss noises, spinning fans and splashing in the pool. They love him a bushel and a peck. Their buddy their pal their friend.

Jack the carpenter:

He inspired the house that Jack built and we will forever be grateful for the Diehl’s for putting us all under one roof and giving us a path to Grammy and pappy

Jack the son:

Daddy’s back rubs and crazy rides anywhere he could take him! Rumble strips on 764 was his favorite part of any car ride.

Jack’s love of action movies with loud guns and crazy cars came from daddy!

Jim loved Jack so deeply. He’s not a man of many words but Jack is his heart. A father’s unconditional love for his boy. He showed him that each and every day.

And finally Jack’s advocate. His mommy.

Cassie has a relentless love. Jim always said that Jack’s medical chart has a special box check-marked crazy mom! Beware!

Amazon, UPS and that white vehicle loved Claybrook drive. Seriously, if Jack needed it mommy made sure he had it. Equipment, special van seat, neck rolls and pool floats....but most of all, all of her love.

Nobody said it was easy

It’s such a shame for us to part. Nobody said it was easy

No one ever said it would be this hard. Oh take us back to the start.