Tribute to my Grandfather

Below is an excerpt from a tribute to my grandfather, written by his brother. I never met my grandfather because he died when he was 23 years old, when my mom, Carolyn, was eight months old. He was a lay minister in the Nazarene Church.

Yesterday, February 22nd, Elton would have been 85 years of age. It seems a long time since he, unexpectedly, went to be with the Lord at age 23.Elton was #7 in a family of 11 children – 4 girls and 7 boys. He was four years my senior, and the one in between us being a girl – was perhaps the reason for a special relationship which I enjoyed with him…

… Elton was permitted to bring home the cracked bats, which he taped (sometimes nailed) so as to make them usable. Thus, Elton taught his kid brothers something of the art of baseball. He also taught us to ride a bicycle, and years later taught me to drive a car. Yet, those matters are relatively unimportant in comparison to the main item which I want to relate here.

Later, as the depression really dug a very deep, and painful, financial hole for our family, Elton joined the CCCs, sending our mother a healthy five dollars a month, which would have been the equivalent of perhaps a hundred today. It bought the necessary food products which we would have otherwise been without. Our parents separated, which placed the responsibility of family support squarely on the shoulders of the remaining unmarried sons and one daughter. Every contribution was of tremendous importance.

While away “in the world”, Elton was introduced to alcoholic beverage which would never have been tolerated in our household. With considerable pain, I recall watching him sleep off the results of a night spent with the wrong people indulging in the things of the world. I had come to know the Lord, but possessed very little Bible knowledge. I did know the importance of Elton becoming a Christian, and prayed for that to occur in his life. Our eldest brother (Herbert) was the greatest spiritual influence in our lives, and he invited Elton to attend an evangelistic service at the ______ Rescue Mission where Evangelist Fred ______ was conducting a week of evangelistic meetings. On that occasion, the Lord transformed Elton into a child of God, and a tremendous witness concerning the saving grace of God.

A short time later, I slipped back into the things of the world, and it was Elton whom the Lord used to minister to my heart and need. With pleasant memories, I recall how he tenderly dealt with me concerning my need of surrendering my life to the Lord. May it also be noted that he wept as he shared his concern for my spiritual need.

Elton truly became a dedicated firebrand for the Lord Jesus Christ. In those days, street corner meetings were common, and he was observed publicly kneeling on the sidewalks leading men to acknowledge of the Savior. He also became much involved in the ministry of the local church, the congregation electing him as the director of the youth department, in which I would later become a participant.

But, I’m getting ahead of my story. Before becoming involved in the ministry of Victory Chapel, where Elton attended he came to me with the information that there was “a cute little blonde” in his church with whom I needed to get acquainted. Once more, he was a good influence in my life, as that “cute little blonde” has been my wife for nearly 60 years.

Having been licensed to preach, this dear brother was manifesting a wide and valuable Christian influence in the lives of numerous people. But, in mid-May of 1939, he was sent home from work with an acute abdominal pain which the company doctor, and our family doctor, misdiagnosed as inflammation of the lower bowel. During this time, he and his wife Helen and 8 month old daughter Carolyn Jean decided to make a temporary residence with us on ______ Avenue on the west side of the city. One Saturday evening, ere turning in for the night, I recall standing by Elton’s bedside for prayer. We had a sister who was yet in the world, and on that night was out amid a worldly crowd that had no interest in spiritual things. With vivid memory, I recall how I prayed. As I prayed for
Elton’s need, I also asked the Lord concerning Irene, say, “Lord, whatever it takes, bring her unto Yourself.” I had absolutely no conception as to what that “whatever” would eventually be.

On Monday, Elton was hospitalized, and ere the week was out, he was in the presence of the Lord. Three highly trained physicians had missed a case of appendicitis. It had ruptured, resulting in an abscess on the liver which quickly took his life. As I have later learned that as the Lord May grant physicians a valuable insight into our physical need, He may, at times, blind them to very simple things in order to accomplish His loving purpose.

Following the funeral sermon, some of us were seated in Herb’s automobile awaiting the procession to get underway, when Irene broke down in tears saying: “Oh, why couldn’t it have been me?” To which Herb quickly asked: “And just where would you be [sic] if it had been you?” There in the car, he tenderly pointed Irene to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. Although, at that moment, I did not realize that the Lord had provided the “whatever it takes” to bring Irene to Himself, He nevertheless had done so.

Elton’s brother-in-law and his wife accepted Christ as a result of the Lord’s dealing with them during this trial. And, so far as I know, one of their sons is in the ministry today.

This is discovered to be one of those things which is contained in Romans 11:33 – “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out.”

Eight months following Elton’s home going, a little boy was born. Helen named him Wayne. From the human standpoint, it is impossible for me to understand, and explain, why a wise and Omniscient God, in His wisdom and knowledge would so work, but in eternity I will not need to request an explanation. God was at work, and men were to stand in awe of His wisdom and judgment.

~sweet dreams~