Thoughts about a "good 'ol boy."

Today is a difficut day for the staff of Fellowship Church.  Late Saturday night, Jimmy York passed into the eternal security of heaven.   He was a valuable member of our Home Teams ministry and worked with hundreds of people to connect them to our church family.  Jimmy worked for me years ago and I was always impressed by his loyalty to the vision of Fellowship Church, his love for people and his godly actions as a husband and father. 

One weekend, Jimmy invited me, my son Cameron (who was probably about 13)  and Todd Hamilton to go fishing.  His family had a house and a boat on a local lake.  It was a good time to fish for white bass, so we loaded up and spent the weekend fishing.  The first afternoon of the trip, my son hooked a bass and was trying to get it into the boat.  I reached down to get the fish just as Cameron decide to give one final pull on his rod.  The treble hook ended up buried in my skin between my thumb and index finger.  OUCH!  We went back to the house and tried to get it out.  Then we went next door where a guy was sitting at a table smoking and had beer cans stacked all around him.  Jimmy told me this guy knew everything about fishing and he could help us.  After the guy pulled out a rusty pair of pliers and tried to push the hook through my hand, I decided to take my chances at the local emergency room 17 miles away.  Jimmy and Todd drove me to the hospital, the doctors removed the hook and I get to see the scar every day.  As I look at the scar this morning, it brings back a lot of memories.

This morning as I was studying, I ran across a verse that I had never really thought much about.  It's found in Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 and this verse describes Jimmy's life:

18What is the best thing to do in the short life that God has given us? I think we should enjoy eating, drinking, and working hard. This is what God intends for us to do. 19Suppose you are very rich and able to enjoy everything you own. Then go ahead and enjoy working hard--this is God's gift to you. 20God will keep you so happy that you won't have time to worry about each day.  

This is the biblical description of a "good 'ol boy."  Solomon writes that we should just enjoy the life we have.  if we do that,we won't worry about the end of our life.  I think that's the way Jimmy lived his life.  He loved to fish, watch and play sports, enjoy time with his boys and love his wife Tricia.  He worked hard at connecting people to community at Fellowship Church.  When you had the opportunity to be around Jimmy, he was calm, reserved and friendly.  If you started talking sports or fishing, you could get him excited. But Jimmy never played the over bearing "I know it all" person.  He never lost his sense of humor and even keeled personality.  He was the best "good 'ol boy" I ever knew.

I am going to miss Jimmy York.  He has been a constant on our staff for several years and we will not be able to replace his uniqness and God-given passion for people.  Pray for Tricia and the boys as they go through this very difficult time. 

His life ended too soon on earth, but he is at home now in heaven!

   

Comments

[Laura]

Jimmy will be greatly missed. He had such a heart and passion for the Married Life ministry at Fellowship. His legacy will live on for many generations.

[Laura]

Jimmy will be greatly missed. He had such a heart and passion for the Married Life ministry at Fellowship. His legacy will go on for generations.

[Amy]

Jimmy was a wonderful man with a servant's heart. You could feel his love for people whenever he spoke to you. He leaves a legacy and he will be missed by all who knew him.

[Brian]

I will greatly remember the time Jimmy counseled me as I went through a separation and divorce! He gave me encouragement when it was hard to find! Heaven has added another Angel!

[Kevin Furlow]

Thanks for your comments Preston. You accurately captured Jimmy, he was always positive, calm, and encouraging. He was a member of our Home Team when we were new to FC and became a good friend. We will miss him here, but see him again in heaven. Our prayers are with Tricia and his children, who remain with us in this world.