FOND MEMORIES OF A GREAT FRIEND—August 13, 2023 Terry Wilken
Thank you Nancy, Corey, Kim and Jon for asking me to say a few words about Larry today at his Memorial service.
What a privilege to call this man friend.
But you can’t get too far down the road talking about Larry without including Nancy as well.
They were such a great team with unique gifts that blessed all of us.
Mary and I would ask ourselves—who do we know that is really living the Christian life?
Larry and Nancy always came to mind first.
What was it about them?
Jesus was asked “Which is the greatest commandment in the law?”
His answer was “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and the second is like it-“You shall love your neighbor as yourself”
I believe Larry and Nancy lived this out on a daily basis. They loved God totally and that gave them the ability to love others in the way they did—-putting us before themselves and serving us in so many differently ways.
This is the formula Folks for a happy, fulfilled life—
Love God First and Love your neighbor.
Just one example of this servanthood and it was always behind the scenes, never drawing attention to themselves. When we would have get togethers in the area, Larry and Nancy would always park their car down the block away from our house to allow others to park closer and have the best spots.
I could list dozens of examples of their servanthood but not right now. Right after this service there will be a reception downstairs and many of you will have an opportunity to share a story about Larry and Nancy. I’m hoping you will do that.
I first met Larry at a Billy Graham Crusade in San Jose, CA in 1980 and after working in the office with him I knew I wanted to work with this man as much as I could.
Larry was a leader who led by serving those under him and not by demanding.
I remember struggling with details in Crusade preparations and would go to Larry to get his advice. Instead of telling me how to do it he would say “have you considered trying it this way”?
When it worked, and it always did, he let me think it was my idea—he never wanted the credit himself.
He was such an encourager and gifted in assessing the mood of the office staff. When he arrived at the office he would make the rounds, greeting everyone before he went to his office. When somebody was a little down he would ask one of us to find out why and try to help if we could.
Larry was a mentor who taught many of us just by his example. He had a standard of excellence and never cut corners to get something done and taught us to do the same.
He also instilled this standard in his children. They are all gifted in different ways and he encouraged those gifts that God gave them. Youngest son, Jon is a craftsman, a gifted woodworker. He built the casket for his Dad. I asked him on Friday night if I could mention it today. When Jon went to get the lumber to build it he saw for the first time ever boards labeled “Swedish Pine”. Of course that’s what he used to build it. He sanded it smooth and all the corners were rounded, it looked beautiful. Jon put a lot of love and special attention into it. Your Dad would have been proud to see it, Jon.
And then at the cemetery they put a full size Swedish Flag over the casket.
Larry taught, guided and challenged those of us who worked along side of him—always motivated by a heart of love and concern for those he led.
His influence lives on in the lives of many people that today carry on ministry with the impact and strategic excellence of Larry’s life and mentoring.
Larry (and Nancy) loved our families as well and would ask about them all the time. They got to know our children and became their friends.
Their home was known to all of us as a fun place to go and the door was always open to everyone at any time.
Larry stood one or two inches shorter than some of us but all of us looked up to him as a giant in the faith and someone we could always go to for advice, encouragement and laughter.
Larry worked hard but he also knew how to relax and have fun.
On several occasions, often following a long trip with a hectic schedule, he would call me and say let’s go fishing tomorrow. He loved to go to the Cherokee Indian Reservation and fly fish for trout. Larry would wear his waders and walk down the middle of the creek and masterfully cast out in front and catch trout.
Often I would walk along bank and being up higher I could see where the fish were and tell Larry where to cast
We always had enough trout for dinner and then took time to talk about our adventure.
So Many “Fond Memories of a Great Friend.”
I miss my friend but I know where he is and I’ll see him again.
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