A Eulogy for a Friend
What a different world it would be if all of us left a legacy of faith that others could continue to hear!
A Eulogy for a Friend
I went to a funeral this past Saturday—a trip of about an hour and forty-five minutes from my house to Kosciusko, where the deceased was eulogized.
I made the trip for several reasons. My dad was conducting the funeral. The man being buried was one of his very best friends, and I wanted to be there for him.
My father has been a rock in my life. When my first wife and our second-born son were killed, he stood between those two coffins without a break for hours, greeting every person who came. He has long been a source of quiet strength for our entire family and for so many more throughout his life of ministry and service.
So I went. I’m not a fan of long, drawn-out funeral services, and this one was mercifully short and sweet. It could have been very long. The man we were there to honor, remember, and celebrate was Marvin Ray Pasuer. He wasn’t famous, but he was legendary.
Ray had been a college professor who taught theology for many years. He could bring the Old Testament to life. He was full of wisdom, wit, and laughter. He was challenging, both inside and outside the classroom.
My dad had worked alongside him in a college setting and traveled across the world with him to do missionary work. They were both friends and colleagues.
So I went. But I also went for me. Ray taught me in the classroom, on the tennis courts, as a husband, as a father of three children who were totally dependent and bedridden, as a minister, and as a man.
His funeral? Several of his former ministry students were in attendance. Every one of us could have spoken at the funeral and told entirely different stories about our interactions and experiences. We could have smiled, laughed, and remembered for hours on end.
Ray’s last few years were hard. Time and disease can be brutal, and they were. His last surviving daughter preceded him into eternity just a few weeks before.
He left behind the love of his life, Sharon. He leaves a legacy of scholarship and devotion to Biblical truth. He is remembered well by his students and by those he ministered to throughout a lifetime of sharing Jesus and scripture.
Ray’s journey is over, but I am reminded of what scripture says about Abel in Hebrews 11:4.
“By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.”
What a different world it would be if all of us left a legacy of faith that others could continue to hear!
Rest easy, Ray. It’s our turn now.
Thank you for sharing this heartfelt message. It reminds us how precious true friendships are and how deeply our lives are touched by those who walk with us through the years. While the loss of a dear friend brings sorrow, we can find comfort in God's promises and in the hope we have in Christ. The Bible says, Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints (Psalm 116:15). For those who belong to Christ, death is not the end but the beginning of eternal joy in His presence. Reading this reminded me of the importance of living a life that leaves a godly legacy. A faithful friend is a gift from God, and the memories of their faith, kindness, and love continue to encourage us long after they are gone. As Proverbs 17:17 says, A friend loves at all times. May we strive to be the kind of friends who point others to Jesus through our words and actions. Though we grieve, we do not grieve as those who have no hope. Scripture tells us that if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). What a wonderful assurance for every believer. One day, all who are in Christ will be reunited in His glorious presence. This message is also a reminder that our time on earth is brief and that every day is an opportunity to love God, serve others, and share the Gospel. May we be found faithful when the Lord calls us home. As Paul wrote, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). Thank you again for sharing this moving reflection. It encourages us to cherish our loved ones, walk faithfully with the Lord, and make every day count for His kingdom. May God comfort all who are mourning and strengthen them with the hope found in Jesus Christ alone. God bless you.
Ray was a wonderful teacher, preacher and friend to all. So glad to have been able to know him and hear his wonderful preaching.