Frank
Dear Joyce,
Gary had a love for you that inspired me! He literally “light up” when you were around. You will never know how much the fruit basket in my office meant to me my first day of work which I am sure you played a part. When I think back on that short nine months together, I am so appreciative for the time and patience Gary showed me. My son still vividly remembers Gary’s “Professor Gizmo” promotional skit we did during a church service 7 years ago! While Gary was sometimes a challenge for me to work with, he was also very kind hearted. I grew a lot as a person and DRE, “under Gary’s wing”. But what I like best about him was his bold honesty, his courage to speak it, and his absolute passion for Vacation Bible School. I may be blind, but no one could hold a candle to his enthusiasm for VBS.
In many ways he reminded me of Nathaniel in the scriptures of whom Jesus said, "there is no guile; not that he was without sin; nor is this said of him; nor was he in such sense without guile, as Christ himself was; but guile was not a governing sin in him: the course of his life, and conversation, was with great integrity, and uprightness, and without any prevailing hypocrisy and deceit, either to God, or men. This Christ said to show how much such a character is approved by him; and that he knew the secrets of men's hearts, and the inward frames of their minds”.
Joyce, you Gary and all your family and friends will remain in my thoughts and prayers in “Thanksgiving” all of my life. I truly believe that Gary can be closer to us now than he ever was or could be. I sometimes chat with him, and I even ask for his guidance and prayer.
As they say in German, “I went from you a very short time ago, and I did not go far. And when you come to where I am, you will wonder why you cried”.
Auf wiedersehen “until we see each other again”.