farewell

A pillar. A soldier. A strong, unfailing piece of our foundation.

Integrity. Honor. Respect. 

A fisherman. A treasurer for 20 years. A retired Leutenant Colonel of the United States Air Force. A patriot.

A husband. A father. A grandfather. A great-grandfather.

Above all else, a Christian. A servant and follower of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Over six feet tall. White hair. Deep, rumbing voice.

Representation of a generation that is slipping away. A generation of serenity, elegance, loyalty, steadfastness.

In my mind, he will always be in his uniform, cocking his head, straining to listen because he lost most of his hearing in Vietman, for which he earned the Purple Heart to add to his many other medals. His fingers will be at his forehead, saluting our flag, standing at attention.

His last days were confusing and painful because of the world we live in and the illnesses it brings, and we prayed for either a great miracle, or his quick passing into blissful eternity. 

And so, in the midst of our grieving, we whisper "thank you".

With his passing, it feels as if we are children, and our parents are sending us off on our own. Without his presence as a picture of how we started and where we came from, we begin a new chapter in our church.

His stories will live on for as long as we have breath to tell them.

"Farewell."

"Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee." Deuteronomy 32:7

"Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." Romans 13:7

• My tribute to Bro. Bob - Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Johnson.