Words from Andy Bales
July 21, 1931 – April 30, 2009
As a boy my dad endured through the Great Depression. He traveled on freight cars, lived in a tent in Azusa Canyon, a garage in Compton, another garage in Baldwin Park, and a tin shed in Des Moines, Iowa.
He enlisted in the Army, a paratrooper. He married a beautiful Catholic girl, my mom. I was in my mom’s womb when they heard the Gospel presented in a powerful way. That night my mom and dad walked the aisle, and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. That day my Dad dedicated their unborn baby, to the Lord. I was blessed from even before my first day on earth. What a difference that made in my life.
My dad’s choice to follow the Lord and dedicate my life to the Lord made an eternal difference in my life and the lives of my children and their children.
For 15 years he struggled as a butcher. He then moved to a feed company as a warehouse worker at $2.38 an hour, and worked himself all the way up to Vice President. He then designed one of the first spray washers and launched his own car wash business. He worked so hard to provide for all of us, so that our lives would not be like his when he was young.
When the gas crisis hit the car wash business tumbled, and we lost everything. My dad spent a few weeks, depressed, laying on the couch and contemplating ending his life, until I told him through fearful tears that he was going to have to get off the couch and get going. And he did just that.
He took a job he didn’t care for much, and eventually got a fantastic job. He also lived a more balanced life, and I saw him put in as much effort in church involvement and living for Christ as I saw him put into work. He went on missions trips with me and the youth group. He visited the local Mission and preached at their services, and I went along with him to sing. My faith was greatly impacted by watching him bounce back and live for the Lord.
Proverbs 24:16 (ASV)
16 For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
My Dad endured a lot and set a wonderful example to me of Christ-like perseverance in adversity. He was a good man and I loved him dearly. I will miss him very much.
Andy, Kim told me she was able to talk to you and Joan at the viewing. It’s such a blessing to know where your dad is now. I pray you and Bonnie and the kids are doing well. We’ve thought of you often throughout the years. I still remember you sticking up for Kim and I when Robbie would get irratated with us. :)
Kim forwarded me your website, so I’ll be looking around.
Gwen
Andy,
I was touched by your loving memorial to your father. What a wonderful man.
My best to you and your family,
-Jon
Andy,
What a remarkable man your father was. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. May God bless your family in your time of bereavement.
I really miss working for the “Mission” and I think of you all often.
God Bless
andy this is Zachery i loved reading this it was interesting to see what my great granpas life was like, i didnt really get a chance to ever talk to him but now i feel like i know what his backround was like… i remember that he used to love fishing and tkae rides on the boat thank you for writing this
Love Zachery
Andy,
Thank you for sharing about your father – he is an inspiration for us all.
Rick
Andy, I really have missed working with Carl and thought of him often. I miss my days at Massy Ferguson, we spent over 7 years there together. He was a good man and I learned much during those days. I was hoping we could get together again. I feel your pain and will pray for you often.