DECATUR - Just in case Roger Farris might forget, his cell phone reminds him.

Every time the Decatur man flips open his phone, the photograph he sees reminds him how proud he is of his grandson, and how proud his grandson is of his Pinewood Derby car.

"It's Zacary Davis. No 'h,' " said Zac, when he's introduced.

He has the medals and trophies to support the pride of grandson and grandfather. With no track at home on which to practice, the pair used the lines of the wood floor in the family room to make certain the vehicle ran straight, Farris said. Though the car was built for a Boy Scout Pinewood Derby, it was a winner in a couple of Mid-State competitions as well, he added.

"Grandpa helped me make the car," Zac said, as he rolled it across his hands.

"We might paint it some more," said Farris, "but then it might not go as fast."

The car project is just one of the things grandfather and grandson have done together since Zac and his sisters, Josie Davis, 14, and Dani Davis, 16, have come to live with Farris and his wife of 41 years, Sherri.

"This is our second time around," said Sherri Farris, referring to raising their grandchildren. "They've been here all but three years of their lives."

"We try to keep them busy," said Roger Farris, pointing out the A's and B's on school report cards, Dani's photography, Josie's writing projects, church activities and Zac's baseball and car races.

"No, they keep us busy," said Sherri Farris.

"They all have their chores," explained Roger Farris. "Me and Zac have the outside. They (indicating his granddaughters) have the inside."

Josie and Dani participate in Celebrate Life youth activities at Westside Church of the Nazarene. Josie wrote an honor-earning essay based, she said, on a dream she had. Dani wrote a skit telling about her Christian values and performed it with friends.

"We're 'Sisters of Skits' until we get a guy in the group," she said.

At this point in his life, Roger Farris figured he might be sitting in a boat fishing somewhere. The Vietnam War veteran came from Crossville, Tenn., in 1963 to join the work force at Caterpillar Inc. and has since retired.

"Roger and his wife worked real hard all their lives," said Steve Bledsoe, one of Roger Farris' coffee buddies. "They do everything they can to keep up with those kids."

"It's kind of interesting at times," Farris admitted. "The thing is, we love 'em dearly.

"We wouldn't have it any other way," he added.

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