John R. Gramling

Some several years ago, when I was elected to serve as one of Western Kentucky Presbytery's Commissioners to the Synod, I was notified that my assignment was to serve on the Living Waters of the World Committee. My first reaction was that that was totally impossible. That was John Gramling's job — and he was doing it admirably. I went and talked with him and he calmed me down (as he has done many times since) and gently reminded me of my responsibilities to my church and to God's work. And so, with trepidations, I agreed. What followed proved to be one of the great experiences of my life.

John continued to serve as a member of the committee. For that we can be humbly grateful. Except for the sketchiest of details, I had no real knowledge of the work of this powerful project. As John and I traveled back and forth to Franklin, TN. to attend the various project committee meetings, he patiently worked to educate me on what the project was, what it had accomplished, and what it needed to do in order to fulfill its mission. Eventually I became chairperson of the whole project and still he guided me.

John has a background as an engineer and thus could see possibilities and needs that were foreign to each of us. He kept us honest and true to our mission.

In my opinion, John embodies all the qualities of a Presbyterian elder. I am a better person and a better Christian because of my relationship with him.