The Passing of Friends

I am saddened by the news this night of the loss of two people in my life. My best friend since 8th grade, loss his little brother Davie over a week ago, and then his father Web, passed away a few days ago. Web was a great man of intelligence and wisdom. He was a man of integrity, and was one of the greatest thinkers and speakers I had the privilege of knowing in my lifetime. Web found Christ a reality for himself, and he very took to heart the great commission- to preach the Gospel to all the world. Web fulfilled his mission, and now as Paul said, he knew it was time, he had fought the fight of faith and held out until the end.
Sadly from the news I got it contained little information as to how or why. Arthur his son - aka Soxie to me and those of us that ran together in those years past, sent me a brief but sad email informing me of the news just yesterday. No details just that Davie his brother and Web his father had passed away. I wrote to their online obituary guest books today.
Web gave me my first real job, at age 14 years of age, I worked for him at his furniture store, in Alamogordo, New Mexico after school and in the summers. I still have my original Social Security card, that I obtained then so I could work for him.
Web was a quiet and thoughtful man, who didnt speak until his thoughts were gathered, and precisely organized to persuade or motivate those he spoke to.
His speech was always full of grace to those that worked for him and knew him especially as a Christian man.
He taught me much, about politics, religion, the Bible, the Charismatic movement, which he played a large part in as a leader with the Full Gospel Businessman organization. You could not argue with Web, he was probably the greatest debater I ever knew, he always had the answer, and with his many years of sales under his wing he could be most persuasive and he would always win the debate, and in the end you had a friend for a lifetime. He had few if any enemies I ever knew of, he was known by all and loved by all. Active in his church, active in his community.
When he sold the furniture store in his later years, it was as if a landmark of my playground had dissapeared. I worked there and played there just as hard. Soxie his son and I found many occassion to goof off, and hopefully not get caught in those days. These were years before, Web, had really turned his life over to Christ, I can still hear him say, when we goofed up, "hell fire damnation" boys, what were you thinking, or doing. Years later, when Christ had tempered him, and taken away any sort of speech as that ( which was the worst thing I ever heard him say in my years knowing him) all of his speech became full of grace, no harsh words, never a word of discouragement, just encouragement, exhortation, and love.
He loved with great capacity his brothers and sisters in Christ, and those who needed Christ. He loved his family. I can only say, he was a mentor, friend, and will be greatly missed.
I last saw Web a few years back, I believe he must have been about 77 years old at that time. When Web left, the furniture business, he became a real estate broker. He worked with one of the large real estate firms in Alamogordo. I was quite impressed, here he was the oldest guy working there, and he was the top seller for the last several years. Number One! All over the wall hung his accomplishments in sales! Whatever Web set his heart and mind to do he excelled at it, always.
He taught me about sales, he taught me conservative politics, he taught me about God's gift of grace to each man. He knew his Bible as well, or better than most of the preachers out there. He understood the founding fathers thinking on America and Freedom.
He could quote verse by verse in any persuasive teaching or preaching the Bible from memory.
I loved Web, I am glad that I got to have lunch with him when I visited last, and I enjoyed getting to see Davie as well, he was at home.
I have missed my friend Soxie a lot, he lives so far away and we just don't get to be the friends we once were because of time and distance between the two places we live, but He along with his family will always be my second family. I share your grief but I also have learned to know God's peace in these things, because I know God's love, and I know, that someday, when I leave this earth, I will be greeted by Web's smile and Davies laughter, once more. God speed my friends. I will always love you, and your memories and the times we shared will always be right where they need to be, in my heart.. I dedicate this to you both.