Welcome/Intro
"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. John 14.1-3
Purpose of Funerals
1. Honor a loved one
2. Comfort a family
3. Reconnect with priorities
4. To remember
5. To Glorify God
"As gold is purified in the furnace, so the faithful heart is purified by sorrow." -- Guarini
Song: No Tears
Song: He Leadeth Me
Obituary & Prayer
Larry Wayne Seitz, 72, originally of Omaha Nebraska, passed away surrounded by family and friends on April 25th, 2016.
He was born on February 11, 1944 in Omaha, Nebraska. He was the youngest of three brothers. He graduated from Benson High School in Omaha.[BTW, Larry played football with Nick Nolte on the Benson "Bunnies" FB team]. Shortly after graduating, Larry entered the Air Force. While in the Air Force, he met Linda Gayle Bowmen and married on December 17, 1966 in Amarillo, Texas. He has been a member the South Yukon Church of Christ since 1976.
Larry was an optician for 50+ years, and his mission in life was to help others see the world clearly.
He is survived by his 6 children: Angela, Marta, Lylia, Reese, T.C., and Andrea Seitz; two granddaughters: Alexis and Piper Stowe; and his brother, Sid Seitz. He is also survived by his loving church family and the many, many people he has touched over his lifetime.
"See ya later Crabby!!" Larry Seitz.
Prayer
Song: In Christ Alone
Song: Hosanna
Eulogy
2 Timothy 4.6-8
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
I. Our Time to Proceed -- Departure
A. There are no exceptions --
Before his death in 1981, American writer William Saroyan telephoned in to the Associated Press this final, and said: "Everybody has got to die, but I have always believed an exception would be made in my case. Now what?"
Psalm 116.15
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
* Precious Passing -- A few of us went to Larry's ICU Room the night he passed. Once there, Glen Davis asked to lead a prayer. He prayed for Larry's transition from this life to the next. AS SOON AS HE SAID, "Amen," Larry passed. Angela, through her tears said, "That was what he was waiting for." -- It was a precious experience for us.
* The word also means costly. The world is worse off today without Larry Seitz. It's costly to the cause of Christ for him to be away from us even though this is what we prepare for in our walk with God.
B. Paul had an idea of his time to go -- He was ready
We were all shocked at Larry's passing. Maybe he had an insight that his time was at hand.
A sense in which it is at hand for all of us
C. Paul saw his life as an offering to God -- Romans 12.1; Philippians 2.17;
Larry -- Offered Himself to God
* Studious -- Bibles and LXX; Apocryphal Books
* Humble, Servant Spirit
Got out of hospital last time and went to Skyline Mission where he made glasses for people in need
Also provided glasses for Africa
Organ Donor
* Contrite -- "No animosity toward anyone"
* Sacrificial Giving
[Once gave glasses to a lady who couldn't afford them. Remember, his mission in life was to help others see the world clearly. In the course of the transaction he found out that she needed a water heater, so, in spite of his own financial need with a houseful of kids, he bought the water heater and tried to put it in. When he was unable, he called Tom Rackley and the two of them spent four hours installing it.
* Counted others better than himself
* Practiced Pure Religion -- James 1.27 -- Fatherless
* Family Significance -- Husbands Love Wives; Father bring up children in nurture and admonition of LORD
o His favorite story: Bought new Ford Pick-up; Linda let 10 year old Angela sit in driver's seat and was going to let her drive down the neighborhood street. Angela revved the engine in park and blew it. Larry came, found out, kissed her on the forehead and let it go. He found a new engine.
Later, as he was expanding his business he found equipment in Dallas that he needed but did not have the money, so he traded that truck with the brand new engine for it. He rented a U-Haul and took it to Dallas to get the equipment. He invited Angela and a friend to go. They convinced him to let them sit in the back of the truck with a boom box and flashlight. All worked out, but Larry wondered what the police would have done if he had been pulled over and they had found two young girls in the back of the truck.
o When he and Linda brought the twins home, they were only about 4-5 pounds. They had to wear doll clothes. Their crib was in the room with Larry and Linda. During the night, Larry kept telling Linda to put the cat out. They did not have a cat; it was the babies making noises.
o Larry would get up in the night with the twins to help Linda. On one occasion he said that every couple should have twins so that Dads could help out. Linda wondered where he was when Angela was young and she needed his help. Of course, he was helpful with all of the children, especially as an older dad.
o BTW, I understand he was a "Cat Whisperer." He was able to teach his cats how to use the toilet; how to fetch; how to sit and eat baby food from a spoon.
o Love for Theater -- Lexie has a quote from Les Mis tattooed on her shoulder: "T love another person is to see the face of God."
o Sense of Humor --
„X The laugh of the hippo in the old B & W cartoons
„X Selection of gifts reflected his sense of humor
„X One gift he gave to Angela: Boxes inside of boxes (like Russian dolls); finally, there was a tube of grease; with tweezers she removed a piece of paper wrapped in plastic which read, "Two Tickets to Grease"
II. Our Time to Prepare
A. Fought a good fight -- an unseen, spiritual warfare is going on
B. Finished my course -- complete the race/contest/satisfy one's work assignment
C. Kept the faith -- guarded; watched over -- personal faith and faith he preached
Every time a little boy went to a playmate's house, he found the friend's grandmother deeply engrossed in reading her Bible. Finally his curiosity got the better of him. "Why do you suppose your grandmother reads the Bible so much?" he asked. "I'm not sure," said his friend, "but I think it's because she's cramming for her finals."
III. Our Time to Prize -- Victory Crown
A. Crown of Righteousness/Justice -- of the right things
1. Diadem = Crown of Royalty
2. Stephanos = athletic crown -- I am receiving the gold medal of victory
B. Crowned by Jesus -- the righteous Judge
1. Larry once gave Linda a plain, unpolished diamond with a note, "I am just a diamond in the rough." It became a treasure to her and in her passing of utmost importance for Larry.
2. Made righteous by Jesus
3. Awarded eternal life through him
4. We will return our crowns -- Revelation 4.10-11
The twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created."
Larry Stories from Audience
Hebrews 12.1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Larry and Linda are in the crowd cheering for us -- "KEEP RUNNING!"
* Larry was a singer and a musician. He taught his kids to love the group, A Cappella as well as church songs.
* The evening that Linda passed he was working in his shop and singing "Amazing Grace." He said he felt that he knew the exact moment that she passed.
We are going to sing Amazing Grace together.
Song: Amazing Grace
Flag Ceremony
Slide Show
Song: How Great Thou Art -- Family Exits
