Dalton Tilley
    I will be interviewing my grandpa, Joe Upton. He is 68 years old and is a great loving man, always helps other when they are in need. I asked him who were the most important Important people that contributed to you, both as a child and as an adult, and why were they important to you? As a child, he said his Dad was a very big inspiration to him. His dad was in the air force in World War II, and my grandpa always respected him for serving his country. It inspired him to become a police officer, which he was for 30 years. He was a highway patrol officer, in which he said he’s seen some crazy things happen. As in, he’s had drug busts, and has found bodies in trunks and so on. His Dad always cared for him, and supported him in every way. He also said his mother was very important. His mother tried to ride a bike out of the world war with my grandpa in it out of Germany, and his dad, was the one who picked them up and took them to the united states. The event in his life that were significant were him having his son, and when his dad died. He said his Son taught him how to care for someone. It taught him some important meanings of life, and how to care a love someone as much as he did, his son died at the age of 30 due to an overdose, which was terrible on my grandpa. When his dad died, it was devastating to him. Since his dad being a big inspiration to him, this opened his eyes that he wants to be a great, and a successful person. I also remember him trying to get me to join the airforce, He said aging has brought a lot more bad than good. With the diabetes, and the bad leg and back problems, he has to be on a lot of medication. Socially, he said he’s not really different, he just says people aggravate him easier. psychologically, he said he’s been a lot happier! He said not having the worry of working or anything is great! He loves to fish and do all sorts of things that keeps him out of boredom.  I asked him how did he feel about his life, and he said he doesn’t regret one decision he has made. He said you can’t live a great life, if you always regret what you’re doing. Rather than think negative on situations that are, be positive and enjoy them! Him being a cop brought him a good income being retired, and it’s allowed him to spoil his grandkids, which he said he loves to do. He said he loves all the people in his life and wouldn’t ask for anyone else, and he said that’s the most satisfying part, Having people that love and care for him and him being able to do the same back. He said he was least satisfied when he was younger, and didn’t know what to do with his life until he joined the police program, which has made him who he is today. He said the times before the struggled with money, and struggled with happiness. He said his favorite age range was from 18-23. He said he met some really great people, and remember having a full head of hair! He used to be a party type guy.