In Memory . . .
I wish I was better at writing. There is so much I could say about my dad, but when I write it, it doesn't come across like I want it to. So, I'm going to 'steal' the message that our pastor did for Dad's memorial service. My own comments are in red.
Reader warning: Long post with pictures!! :)
Opening Scripture & Prayer 2 Cor. 1:2-5
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
Obituary
Raymond G, 79, of Lincoln, died October 30, 2009 in Lincoln. He was born December 1929 in Geneva, Neb. to James and Anna G. He was a Freight Car Inspector for Burlington Northern Railroad, retiring after 44 years. He attended Capitol City Christian Church, member of George Washington Lodge # 250 A.F & A.M and volunteered at the Northeast ActivAge Center. He enjoyed gardening and playing cards with friends, playing pool at the senior center, but most especially spending time with his grandchildren.
Family includes: wife, Donna; son and daughter-in-law, David and Laurie G, Omaha; daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and David C, Longview, Texas; grandchildren, Dan, Tim and Neil G, all of Omaha, and Jessica, Eric and Jaelyn C, all of Longview, Texas; brother and sister-in-law, Adolph and Lynette G, Lincoln; sisters-in-law, Bernice G, Crete, Sylvia G, Wilber, and Louise G, Geneva. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ed, Frank, Bill, James, Emil, Joe, John and Rudy; and sisters, Mildred and Helen.
This morning we gather to honor the life of Ray G, and honor the One who created him to live among us. Last Thursday I had the opportunity to be with Ray and some of the family, to read the scriptures, to reflect and to pray. The scripture we shared together that day, Psalm 84, I’d like to share in part with you today.
Ps 84:8-12
Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.
As we shared together, I found these words fitting as we attempt to honor the life that Ray lived in our presence. And if you’ll pardon me, I’d like to reflect on them beginning at the end.
“blessed is the man who trusts in you.”
Raymond G was blessed (as were his children and grandchildren). Before us today are many of evidences of how blessed Ray was. Among his greatest blessings he would count you, his family and friends. I have no doubt that he would tell you that he was blessed by the woman he married August 26, 1951. No doubt he would count his children, David and Laurie, high on his list of blessings. Along with them, their spouses and their children, begin to make his blessings harder to number.
But the scriptures tell us that trusting in the Lord is the source of Ray’s blessing. From the day he was immersed into Christ, with his wife Donna, at Bethany Christian Church, Ray realized this greatest of blessings.
“no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”
Being the 11th of 12 children growing up in rural NE during the depression years, Ray didn’t grow up with a lot. Perhaps that explains why Ray became a gatherer (that's a nice way of saying he collected lots of junk!!). He collected coins, pens and pencils; (he also has 3 lawn mowers; 5 weed whackers; screws, nuts or bolts for any need; lots of broken things - just in case a part can be used from one to fix another; etc. Let's just say there is a shed, garage, attic, and basement full of his treasures!) why he would buy a box of broken watches at auction; and probably why he enjoyed even the simplest of things like an onion sandwich (yes, he would put a big ol' slice of onion on a biscuit and eat it! Sometimes he would even eat a 'sweet' onion - like there is such a thing - like an apple) or a bowl of ice cream.
“I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God”
As we visited about this scripture last week, Donna shared with me that Ray was not very outspoken about his faith (so much so that it was hard to know where he stood). He was less an evangelist, and more a humble servant. A doorkeeper if you will. Ray took to heart Paul’s words . . .
Phil 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Ray could fix anything (yes he could - too bad his daughter got none of that talent), and often did. Not just for himself, but for others. I heard him described countless times as humble, and kind, generous with his time, his money and his stuff (he, and mom, are generous beyond measure - I hope and pray that I am that generous with my children). His example to his children, their spouses, and his grand-children is that of a willing servant, content to be a doorkeeper.
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere”
Ray G lived roughly 29,165 days on this earth, beginning December, 1929 in Geneva, NE. With the exception of a few short years, he lived most of those days in the same home. He loved his days on the farm. He was content in his 44 years of work with Burlington Railroad as a freight car inspector. He found peace when he worked in the garden. And every time he was able to attend an activity or event of one of his children and grandchildren, Ray was thrilled to be present (he loved being with his grandchildren - he would do anything for them. Mom and Dad often say the reward for having children is grandchildren). Time spent playing on the floor with grandkids, he treasured. Playing cards with friends was welcome anytime. Pitching a canopy and waiting for the next event of one of the grandkids was a pleasure. Time spent discussing the (political) issues of the day with David- his buddy, and Laurie- his adversary, were stimulating (and most of the time were discussed relatively calmly - we usually just agreed to disagree). And of course, the 58 years of marriage to the women he met first on a blind date, were cherished. Ray lived a blessed life here on this earth; accumulating stuff and so much more; and always looking after the interests of others. Today we celebrate Ray’s life, all 29,165 days of it.
However, the beauty of this day is that we also celebrate his ‘one day’; for as rich, and full; as beautiful and inspiring as his thousands of days have been. Ray is experiencing now the ‘one day’ that the Psalmist identified as better.
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere”
As we conclude this service today, I hope you will take a moment to “number your days”. Recognize the need to place your trust in the Lord today, and experience the greatest of blessings, so that you to might be able to celebrate one day in the presence of the Lord.
And here are some pictures of Dad in no particular order. Thanks for letting me tell the story of one of the best dads around!
Reader warning: Long post with pictures!! :)
Memorial Services for Raymond G.
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 (10:30am) Capitol City Christian
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 (10:30am) Capitol City Christian
Opening Scripture & Prayer 2 Cor. 1:2-5
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
Obituary
Raymond G, 79, of Lincoln, died October 30, 2009 in Lincoln. He was born December 1929 in Geneva, Neb. to James and Anna G. He was a Freight Car Inspector for Burlington Northern Railroad, retiring after 44 years. He attended Capitol City Christian Church, member of George Washington Lodge # 250 A.F & A.M and volunteered at the Northeast ActivAge Center. He enjoyed gardening and playing cards with friends, playing pool at the senior center, but most especially spending time with his grandchildren.
Family includes: wife, Donna; son and daughter-in-law, David and Laurie G, Omaha; daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and David C, Longview, Texas; grandchildren, Dan, Tim and Neil G, all of Omaha, and Jessica, Eric and Jaelyn C, all of Longview, Texas; brother and sister-in-law, Adolph and Lynette G, Lincoln; sisters-in-law, Bernice G, Crete, Sylvia G, Wilber, and Louise G, Geneva. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ed, Frank, Bill, James, Emil, Joe, John and Rudy; and sisters, Mildred and Helen.
This morning we gather to honor the life of Ray G, and honor the One who created him to live among us. Last Thursday I had the opportunity to be with Ray and some of the family, to read the scriptures, to reflect and to pray. The scripture we shared together that day, Psalm 84, I’d like to share in part with you today.
Ps 84:8-12
Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.
As we shared together, I found these words fitting as we attempt to honor the life that Ray lived in our presence. And if you’ll pardon me, I’d like to reflect on them beginning at the end.
“blessed is the man who trusts in you.”
Raymond G was blessed (as were his children and grandchildren). Before us today are many of evidences of how blessed Ray was. Among his greatest blessings he would count you, his family and friends. I have no doubt that he would tell you that he was blessed by the woman he married August 26, 1951. No doubt he would count his children, David and Laurie, high on his list of blessings. Along with them, their spouses and their children, begin to make his blessings harder to number.
But the scriptures tell us that trusting in the Lord is the source of Ray’s blessing. From the day he was immersed into Christ, with his wife Donna, at Bethany Christian Church, Ray realized this greatest of blessings.
“no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”
Being the 11th of 12 children growing up in rural NE during the depression years, Ray didn’t grow up with a lot. Perhaps that explains why Ray became a gatherer (that's a nice way of saying he collected lots of junk!!). He collected coins, pens and pencils; (he also has 3 lawn mowers; 5 weed whackers; screws, nuts or bolts for any need; lots of broken things - just in case a part can be used from one to fix another; etc. Let's just say there is a shed, garage, attic, and basement full of his treasures!) why he would buy a box of broken watches at auction; and probably why he enjoyed even the simplest of things like an onion sandwich (yes, he would put a big ol' slice of onion on a biscuit and eat it! Sometimes he would even eat a 'sweet' onion - like there is such a thing - like an apple) or a bowl of ice cream.
“I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God”
As we visited about this scripture last week, Donna shared with me that Ray was not very outspoken about his faith (so much so that it was hard to know where he stood). He was less an evangelist, and more a humble servant. A doorkeeper if you will. Ray took to heart Paul’s words . . .
Phil 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Ray could fix anything (yes he could - too bad his daughter got none of that talent), and often did. Not just for himself, but for others. I heard him described countless times as humble, and kind, generous with his time, his money and his stuff (he, and mom, are generous beyond measure - I hope and pray that I am that generous with my children). His example to his children, their spouses, and his grand-children is that of a willing servant, content to be a doorkeeper.
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere”
Ray G lived roughly 29,165 days on this earth, beginning December, 1929 in Geneva, NE. With the exception of a few short years, he lived most of those days in the same home. He loved his days on the farm. He was content in his 44 years of work with Burlington Railroad as a freight car inspector. He found peace when he worked in the garden. And every time he was able to attend an activity or event of one of his children and grandchildren, Ray was thrilled to be present (he loved being with his grandchildren - he would do anything for them. Mom and Dad often say the reward for having children is grandchildren). Time spent playing on the floor with grandkids, he treasured. Playing cards with friends was welcome anytime. Pitching a canopy and waiting for the next event of one of the grandkids was a pleasure. Time spent discussing the (political) issues of the day with David- his buddy, and Laurie- his adversary, were stimulating (and most of the time were discussed relatively calmly - we usually just agreed to disagree). And of course, the 58 years of marriage to the women he met first on a blind date, were cherished. Ray lived a blessed life here on this earth; accumulating stuff and so much more; and always looking after the interests of others. Today we celebrate Ray’s life, all 29,165 days of it.
However, the beauty of this day is that we also celebrate his ‘one day’; for as rich, and full; as beautiful and inspiring as his thousands of days have been. Ray is experiencing now the ‘one day’ that the Psalmist identified as better.
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere”
As we conclude this service today, I hope you will take a moment to “number your days”. Recognize the need to place your trust in the Lord today, and experience the greatest of blessings, so that you to might be able to celebrate one day in the presence of the Lord.
And here are some pictures of Dad in no particular order. Thanks for letting me tell the story of one of the best dads around!
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