The bond with a grandfather can be pure joy - learning the basics of childhood, with a little indulgence on the side.

But losing a grandfather can be the first painful lesson in immortality.

That happened to a 13-year-old Lake Worth boy who lost his hero, but gained a superhero in return.

A lot of people considered Jack Tinsley a hero. He led the Fort Worth Star Telegram to two Pulitzer Prizes in the 80s.

One for reports on faulty military helicopters that were credited for saving lives. He was also a key reporter when President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.

"He was my hero, my mentor," said his grandson Jake.

Jake, 13, has got his "poppa's" writing bug.

"I don't report fact but I definitely am reporting what my superheroes are doing in my head," he said.

When Jack Tinsley died three years ago, the doodles and stories in Jake's imagination faded - along with his childhood innocence.

"Nothing surprises me. Nothing hurts me more than memories now," he said.

To honor his grandfather - Jake eventually put pen to paper again and wrote his grandfather into his first comic book - giving him life-saving powers in his green eyes.

"[He's] a retired superhero basically. Then somebody killed him and he passed the power on to Zack, [the] night owl," said Jake.

The story helped Jake become a published author, which is something he and his classmates think is cool.

It is also a reminder of days gone by when Jake and his grandfather had a powerful relationship.

"He just emanated this friendly aura. When he got mad, it was really scary, but he would do anything for me," he remembers.

He was certainly like a superhero.