Remember Me?

Joe was asked several times to run for public office. Many thought he would be great in politics, but he just never felt that it was his calling. Aside from all of his accomplishments and good reputation in the community, Joe will probably be remembered most as a friend. He was the type who would just as soon hug you as shake your hand. He was asked to be best man in a number of weddings, and the family was known to entertain frequently in their home. People would call Joe for counseling or advice and he would often be on the phone for hours, or sitting up with someone way into the night talking and praying. He had a special way of making folks to be at ease and they found him easy to converse with and actually a joy to be around. Joe’s kids say that he will be missed most during family times. “Our home was always filled with music. If it wasn’t from the stereo, then it was coming from one of us.” Joe was accomplished on several instruments, and when they all played together, there was an orchestra. “Mostly, we played hymns and classical, but when Dad was in a playful mood, he could really jam on the piano or saxophone. He liked the big band era.” They all still get together as a family on a regular basis, and when you have 10 kids and 13 adults, and that’s not counting Aunts and Uncles, it is always a full and noisy house. Joe was always in the center of everything and the children adored him. We tell the kids that when they are sad and miss their grandpa, they should just try to be like him… because he always tried to be like Jesus. Joe Johnson was killed in a car accident last Monday on his way to visit a client. He was 60 years old. The memorial service will be held Thursday night at Church in the Valley at 7pm. The parking lot at the school will be open for overflow. Donations will be given to Wycliffe Bible Translators and Gideons International. Wow. We’ll have to get their early to get a seat. If I know Joe, he probably requested lots of upbeat music at his service. That’s really going to be something….especially if his family is able to play….. What’s this? Oh my! It’s Frank Talley. Isn’t he the guy that used to walk his dog by our house all the time? Did you know he died? (reads) Frank Talley, 55 of Spokane WA, died Monday evening of lung cancer. He was found by his gardener, who stopped by for his pay, and saw that the door was partly open. Paramedics determined that he had been dead only a short while. Frank has parents living in Connecticut, and a sister in Florida. He has not been in contact with any of them in a few years. None of them knew he had cancer. Frank was born in 1948, and left home to join the army at age 18. He spent a year in Viet Nam, and was discharged in 1969. He married in 1975 and the marriage ended 2 years later. They had no children. Frank did have one son from a different relationship, but he never kept in contact, and the name or whereabouts of the man or his mother is unknown. Frank got a job working for the postal service after his time in the military, and was still there at the time of his death. Co-workers and neighbors say that he always kept to himself. He always worked the night shift, so he was home during the day… and would only go out to go to the store or walk his dog. There will be a private graveside service for family only. Well, that was interesting. Quite a different life than Joe’s huh? Probably didn’t know the Lord. Well, I guess I shouldn’t say that… I didn’t know him.