Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for allowing us to join you virtually today from Idaho to remember, celebrate and worship with the entire Tuttle family, our eternal family and many friends from decades ago.  Carl will continue live in our hearts until that glorious day we meet again. His laughter, smile, love and gift of worship will we always call to mind when we think of him.

 May the Shalom of our King rest upon each of us in this beautiful day of remembrance. Until we meet again.

Love,  Roger and Bonnie Bates

I met Carl as a teenager when I attended Calvary Chapel Yorba Linda in the Canyon High School gym. I was drawn to his worship leading—it felt sincere, humble, and full of something real. I was mesmerized.

Later, as a young g adult, when I worked for VMI, I had the honor and privilege of editing the worship leader newsletter with him and working closely with him and Randy Rigby on the Touching the Father’s Heart series. 

I  loved Carl. 

He was funny, irreverent, reverent.  Real. 

What I loved most about him was his authenticity.

After serving as senior pastor of the Vineyard, his life, in his words, fell apart as he knew it. 

In the years that followed, I saw a rare kind of honesty emerge. He walked through the unexplainable terrain that life sometimes forces us into—and he didn’t hide. He named what was happening in himself, in his experience with others. He walked with integrity, and I don’t say that lightly. It’s rare.

We had the privilege of producing an album for the label he started, and it was a joy to work with him. He had a way of trusting people, blessing people, that made you rise into yourself. 

When he did his solo album with Chris Wimber, he asked me to produce background vocals and some arrangements. That meant a lot to me. He chose people for their heart, not just their resume. I got to see his heart on that record. It was beautiful.

One story I’ve always carried with me: he borrowed money once—meant to be for just a week while he waited on a check from the distributor. The deal fell through. I had put it on a credit card. Carl paid back every penny, and more, out of sheer respect for the inconvenience it caused us. No excuses. He owned it completely. 

That kind of follow-through said more to me than a hundred Bible studies ever could. His faith wasn’t performative. He really believed God could provide, heal, and carry us through what we didn’t understand.

I remember once watching a live broadcast of the Pope’s mass. The Popemobile came out blasting “Hosanna,” and hundreds of thousands of people were singing it, jumping up and down. I called Carl and said, You won’t believe what I just saw. He thought I was joking. I sent him the link later. It was real. Something born in his heart had gone out to the entire world. It was stunning.

I loved hearing about his kids and grandkids. His favorite subject. They were everything to him. His family—his children, his sisters—that was his core. He loved people deeply, I’m grateful for every experience I had with him.

To his family: your dad’s love for you was deep and fierce. I remember him saying, my babies, my babies. I remember each birth, his joy. I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope his life leaves you with memories so strong you feel his love still—because that can never be taken

What do you say about someone you have known almost your entire life?  I guess you  just hit the highlights.

I met Carl when I was 11 at Yorba Linda Friends Church. He and Bill Galleon were the Youth Pastors when I went into Jr. High School, They had a wonderfully popular Power Hour on Wednesday night. I was a super shy kid and both were helpful in helping me socially. One night, he or Bill drove me home and one of the windows of my home was cranked open that shouldn’t have been. No one was home, so they took me back to the home they shared on Orangethorpe. That house lay practically on the railroad tracks. They sweetly gave me the bedroom. Trains ran all night and it seemed like they would come right through the house. The room lit up brightly and everything shook like crazy. I can’t believe they could live in that house!  Carl was a great teacher and wonderful with us. 

I saw him a couple years later after I fell away from the Lord and he was heartbroken. A couple months later, I returned to God and Carl came to my school and met with my principal in hopes to convince him that I needed to transfer schools to get away from a bad crowd of friends. He showed up in plaid golf pants and was quite a sight. I questioned why he was dressed so goofy and he exclaimed exasperated “I’m only 21 and they will never take me serious as a pastor. I need to look older”. Oh boy!  Despite the pants, he was successful and my transfer was approved. I always liked Carls teaching. I attended his Bible Study at the Morton’s and again at the Wimbers. 

Later in life, we became close friends. He painted my house and although it wasn’t the best experience, lol, I  will have a hard time painting over it, when the time comes. I came to Hoag when he experienced his first stroke and spent several hours with him that first scary night. He was raw and scared.  He didn’t hide that. I always found Carl to tell me the truth even when it was ugly. 

Carl loved the Lord in such a special way. He also had an incredible annointing. People in the world would flock to him and the gospel would flow so easily from his lips. He had such a calling. I know that his family meant EVERYTHING to him. He cherished his friends. He was broken over those who lashed out at him and gossiped. He was also so deeply grateful for those who forgave him. He loved John Wimber as a father and was deeply grateful for his love and also Carols. 

Rest in peace, Carl. It’s wonderful to think of you being present with the Lord. 

I remember when you were born, Pam Candy and I thought you were a Christmas present a wonderful baby doll. Janet was almost a baby herself. We were thrilled. We treated you just like a doll. What a gift, not only to us but the world. We will miss you and love youforever xoxo Rita