My parents always welcomed everyone to their table with open arms. My parents always encouraged my curiosity, and I learned from my parents to love and accept all people – no matter their background. In college, I interacted with people from all walks of life and loved them all. Many of my friends came from families who were far away or who didn't accept them, so I brought them all over to my parents’ home for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. We spent so much time at church that I figured I would grow up to be a minister just like my Dad. I gave the following Eulogy at his memorial service at First Baptist Church Gainesville:įor all of us who were fortunate to know and love my Dad, Lynwood, the only things that will truly capture who he was are the memories we each hold within our hearts. It’s impossible for me to describe his complete essence as a husband, father, grandfather, spiritual advisor, or friend. Many of you remember his sense of humor, which you’ll be happy to know was present until the end. Based on my own memories and observations over the years, if I could use a few words to sum up my Dad, it's this: unconditional love and acceptance.Īs you all know, I grew up in the Baptist church because my Dad was a Baptist minister. We went to church every Wednesday night for dinner and fellowship, every Sunday morning for Sunday School and worship, and every Sunday afternoon for youth group and choir practice. While hard, I quickly embraced reality because he was in pain and had lost most of the freedoms life previously afforded him, which was hard to watch a loved one go through.

While I began processing the grief of losing him following his diagnosis with cancer a few years ago, the truth is - it was hard to say goodbye.

Eulogy for evolution zip