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Newsletter 04-19-05 The George Yonce funeral
Many of you
wanted an update from the George Younce Funeral so I took notes today so I
could give you a play by play log of events.
I arrived in
Akron on Monday afternoon. I picked up Steve Lee, the baritone that I sang
with in the Cathedrals when I joined, at the airport. First thing Steve said
was, "Let's go to Swensons",(honestly-he said it!) And I said, "Hallelujah."
We stopped by Swensons on the way from the airport for a couple of Galley Boy
Burgers and California drinks, then we headed to the church where The Younce
family was receiving friends. We got there about 5 pm and stayed for about 45
minutes. We got to speak to all the family members and a few friends. All
the Younce family were appreciative that we came and it was good to see them
all. Thank you for praying for them.
I got to
speak to several friends that I hadn't seen in a while. Randy and Cathy Gray,
Wesley Pritchard and his wife, and his parents, Rev and Mrs. Ken Pritchard,
Bill and Karen Meyers, Karen's Mom, Frog Hendricks, Danny Funderburk, Carrol
and Linda Rawlings and their daughter, I didn't stay too long, by then, I was
hungry for another Swensons burger!
This morning
the funeral started at 11:00 a.m. By 10:00 am, there was already a long line
of people waiting to get into the church to pay tribute to George. Steve and
I waited in line and talked to a few old friends as we entered the church. I
took out my note pad as we sat down knowing that I needed to report to the
KREW tonight. I saw Bud Seeker, the driver for the Cathedrals during my stay
with them. There was Ed Harper, Brian Hudson, David Ring, Fred Privett, Jim
Black, Russ Farrar, Bill and Karen Meyer, J.R, Damaani, The Paynes-Van,
Carla, Darla, Todd and Ken, Debbie Bennett, and countless other friends and
acquaintences. I met a very nice Krew member, Bobbie Bates.
At 11:00 the
Homecoming Choir entered the choir loft. Choir members included Greater
Vision-Gerald, Rodney and Jason, Scott Fowler, Mark Trammell, Roy Tremble,
George Amon Webster, Lorne Matthews-all former Cathedrals, Jason and Kelly
Clark and their daughter Amber, Sue Dodge, Kevin Williamson, Jesse Dixon,
Burmer Porter, Larry Orrell, Connie Hopper, Ann Downing, Russ Taft, Guy Penrod,
David Phelps, Jonathan Martin, The Skyline Boys (?) Kim Hopper, Wesley
Pritchard, Anthony and Lou Ann Burger, Lori Apple, Jimmie Jones, Mary Tom
Speer Reid, Judy Nelon, Allison Speer, Sonya Issacs, Duane Nicholson, Jeff
Easter, Mike Allen, Neil Enloe, Dave Kylonen,Signature Sound, Lyndall Randall
( she was late and tried to sneak into the choir in a hot pink dress--a black
woman can't sneak anywhere in a hot pink dress!) Charlotte Richey and a few
others that I didn't recognize. I sat pretty far back in the sanctuary and my
eyes aren't what they used to be. I kept trying to figure out who the others
were but for the life of me, I couldn't. I could tell there were a couple of
toupees but they didn't look familiar to me!
The choir
first sang "Amazing Grace" and then went into "I will Meet You in the
Morning". "Caananland Is Just in Sight"featuring a verse by Gerald Wolfe, was
next, followed by "What A Meeting In The Air" featuring a trio with Wesley
Pritchard, Ben Speer and Guy Penrod. Next was the Gaither Vocal Band singing
"I Believe In a Hill Called Mt Calvary".
Rev Phil
Hoskins came to offer the prayer and added a few comments about George. His
first words were "Glen Payne, Your'e days of rest are over". The place
erupted with laughter. Phil then went on to tell a few funny stories about
knowing the Younce family. I loved the one about George's youngest daughter,
Tara. When Tara was a toddler, they had trouble keeping her in clothes. She
loved to peel off her clothes when she was at home. Phil was a guest in the
Younce home and couldn't help notice Tara stripping off! It was funny then.
Many years later, Phil saw Tara at a concert and she was all grown up by
then, Phil told her he didn't recognize her with her clothes on! Phil has a
soft natural way (much like George) of taking the audience from one emotion to
another, so after the Tara story, Phil led the congregation in prayer. I was
a just a little proud that Phil was a part of the funeral, since I introduced
Phil to the Cathedrals in 1980.
After Phil
completed the prayer, Gloria Gaither came and spoke so sweetly of George
Younce, the timeless entertainer, the humorist, completing her part of the
program with "George Younce not only sang the song, He WAS the song"
Ben Speer
sang George's favorite song "Suppertime" as Jimmie Jones did the recitation on
the second verse. Then Bill Gaither said that George loved Jesse Dixon so
he (Bill) wanted to feature on Jesse on a song, "What are they doing in Heaven
Right Now". Then Signature Sound sang "Oh What A Savior". Bill gave a few
comments, telling humorous stories of how George used to send him tennis shoes
in the mail, how he loved to go to Walmart and stock up on bargains, but
Gaither's final comments were so true.....George's greatest accomplishment was
the professional way he handled the transition between being on the road and
coming home to be with his family. Next was a video presentation from clips
from the Gaither Videos (who wants to bet there will be a George Younce
tribute video/Dvd soon).
George's
Pastor, DR Arnold Fleagle, made a few comments, telling the audience how much
George loved cowboy boots, Coca-Cola, Old Spice cologne, and a bargain! He
also told of George's generosity to people in their church.
The choir
sang "Because He Lives" as the audience stood in tribute to George. "Oh Come,
Angel Band" featured verses by Ben Speer, Kim Hopper, Wesley Pritchard, and
Sue Dodge. The Younce Family was escorted out of the church as the Homecoming
Choir sang.
I didn't go
to the cemetery. I have always felt that burial services should only be for
family and special invitation friends only. (So if I die and you are still
here, don't come to my cemetery unless you are family member or you get a
special invitation!)
As Steve Lee
and I exited the building and spoke to several people on our way out.
Since we were
going back to the airport, we hit the interstate and stopped to get a quick
bite of lunch. NO, not Swensons, actually we went to Olive Garden.
It was a good
day to honor a great man who's having a wonderful time in Heaven. I know that
he and Glen are having a big time. I can just see Glen Payne "running in
place, jumping up and down, as he and George are once again together singing
around the throne.
Hope you all
will come see me this weekend if I am in your area
23rd East
Cape Girardeau ILL
May 7th
Talley Reunion Maryville TN
May 28, 29
LIVE RECORDING River of Life Church Smyrna TN
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