Dispatch from Forbearance Presbyterian Church
What Can I Do for You?
by Charlotte Johnstone
When
Douglas Walker died last week of complications following heart
surgery in his 69th year, everyone agreed that the community
had lost a good man. The owner of a small manufacturing company
on the south edge of town, husband to Norma, father of four grown
children with families of their own, and a trustee of Forbearance
Church, Doug was known as quiet and steady. There hadn't been
anything flashy about him and, while he could have counted many
good friends among his mourners, he generally kept most of his
thoughts to himself. He had known who he was and that had been
enough for him.
Doug's funeral service at Forbearance was like the man himself---thoughtful
and understated--- choreographed by Norma and Rev. Hustisford
according to what they felt Doug would have wanted. The oldest
Walker son gave a eulogy attesting to a father of quiet wisdom
and unfailing support. A daughter spoke of a man who loved his
wife with a courtliness that had seemed almost quaint. A spokesperson
from Doug's company recalled a fair and diligent employer.
It was a fitting service, proceeding
according to plan, when something quite unexpected happened just
before the end.
Charlotte Johnstone is a member of Immanuel
Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She (and the cast
of Forbearance Presbyterian Church) welcome comments. Write to
her at Horizons, 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202-1396
or email wjohns4949@aol.com.
Read the rest of Charlotte Johnstone's
article in the July/August issue of Horizons
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