Worth Something Someday

John Stearns

1932 - 1996

Ideas for projects swirled in John's head, and he often sketched those ideas on a scrap of paper. John, my oldest brother was an accomplished welder and used his skill to construct many things - signs, corrals, drilling rigs, water diversions, flag poles, barbecue grills, bridges - whatever someone wanted built.

John works on a water diversion near 

Bull Mountain, south of Laramie, WY

Dwight (a nephew) positions a pipe for John to weld.

In addition to welding, John was also a master mechanic. He rebuilt engines and repaired equipment, often using recycled parts. If something was broken, he could repair it.

This charcoal, barbecue grill on my sister's patio was designed and constructed by John. When it is in use, smoke comes out of the smoke stack.

He also designed and built a charcoal grill shaped like an old tractor.

I think John saw potential in every piece of metal despite its condition. 

He often hauled junked cars out to the farm and lined them up around the shop. Frequently, mom asked him what he was going to do with them, and his reply was always, "They'll be worth something someday."

Eventually, the junked cars became a source of parts for John's projects, so they were, indeed, "worth something someday."