Eulogy For Richard Myers

Service February 25, 2024 at Forsythe Church of Christ

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Note: This is the text of my eulogy ( a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly, typically someone who has just died) of Richard Myers, my friend and brother in Christ. A video of the entire service is available HERE. - JED

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I feel privileged to be a part of a time today to honor Richard Myers. Linda tells me that Hebrews was Richard’s favorite book, so we will draw some thoughts from that great letter as we consider the passing of our dear friend. When I think about Richard, several words come to my mind and I think you will agree with these descriptive terms.

Richard was a man of Faith. One of the things that always encouraged me was the way Richard used his talents and knowledge to bless people across the world, and around the church. He and Linda are a rich part of the history and life of Forsythe Church. Like Abraham, he was a man of faith who lived out his faith. Hebrews 11:8 says, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was to go.”

Richard was a man of leadership. Before I arrived he served for a time as an elder of our congregation and everyone I know has a high regard for him. When Richard would share his thoughts about a Scripture, everyone wanted to listen. He led not from position or title, but from a heart that chased after Jesus. Hebrews 11:9 says “By faith he [Abraham] sojourned in the land of promise…” It was his faithful walk as he made his way through this life that helped us all to follow Christ closer.

Richard was a man of determination. I’ve never met anyone as determined as Richard to do everything he possibly could for the Lord and for his family. Whether that was making a trip to Zambia when his health wasn’t optimal or attending every OCS game to see his grandchildren participate. He fought the disease that worked in his body for years, and he did it with a smile on his face. Often when I could tell he wasn’t feeling good I would ask him, “How are you?” He would smile and say, “I’m here.” He was determined. Hebrews 11:10 says Abraham “looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” That sounds like Richard to me - he was determined to follow after God and he never gave up.

Richard was a man of prayer. Many times he led us in communion meditations and congregational prayer when he was able. I was always impressed at the way that he spoke from the heart, often with his voice cracking with emotion, and you could tell that he was no stranger to prayer. He spoke to his heavenly Father and walked with him daily. He and Linda were on this faith journey together. Hebrews 11:11 says about Sarah “she considered him faithful who had promised.” Richard and Linda both consider God faithful to his promises, and have demonstrated that for many years.

Richard was a man of mission - desiring that everyone come to know and love Jesus as he did. He was humble and grateful for God’s grace. He found joy in talking about the Lord and he had a profound appreciation for Jesus. Because of Abraham’s faith Hebrews 11:12 says there “were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.” How many people have become brothers and sisters because of the influence of this one man of faith? Only God knows!

And because Richard was a man of faith, leadership, determination, prayer, and mission, he had a vast influence at home, at church, in the community, and around the world.

When I last saw Richard, he was mercifully under the comfortable care of hospice, asleep in his home. Linda, Gumbeaux, Travis, Taylor, and Mignon were there. We prayed around him as he slept. I do not doubt that when Richard breathed his last in this life, he awakened in glory. He woke up healed and whole in the presence of Jesus. Can you imagine the smile on his face as he beholds the Risen Lord for the first time? I wonder if he broke out in song! Victory in Jesus!

Not only that, I believe that he was welcomed by those who were impacted by his life and words to follow Jesus.

I want to go a little farther as we think about our beloved Richard with the Lord. He will be in a place where time doesn’t mean anything. With the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like a day (2 Peter 3:8). It will only seem a moment to him before he welcomes some of us into that place of light and victory.

It may be years for us … or days … no one knows. But we live in the boundaries of time in the flesh. For the rest of our lives, we will miss Richard and we will have wonderful memories of our life with him. But I hope we desire more than just one life of memories.

What a wonderful promise it is that God has given us in His Word that we do not mourn like those who have no hope. Do you not know that our mourning is temporary if we have given our lives to Jesus? We won’t just have memories of Richard, we have hope of seeing him again. But that won’t be because of our goodness, our achievements, or even our deepest wishes. Only in Jesus can hope to see Richard again.

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. …how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard.” - Hebrews 2:1-3

Not only will we think about Richard until we see him again, but I believe that the Scriptures tell us that he will be cheering us on in our lives.

I don’t know about you, but when I consider the wonderful example of Richard, how he loved his family and wanted them to be in heaven with him forever … he is even in this moment cheering us on and waiting for our arrival…just as those who went before him wanted him to live the Jesus life.

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 perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer 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.  Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. -Hebrews 12:1-3

All of us will face struggles and trials, but we do not give up. Richard did not give up. Look to Jesus and never give up.

One day everyone who follows Christ will transition from this life to the next, and those who cheered you on in this life will be there to cheer you on forever. Richard, among them.

Life throws a lot of struggles our way. We have an enemy who works against us. We have our own inward doubts and hurts and battles to fight. When you are weary, remember how Richard would not give up on his Jesus.

Richard wasn’t perfect. He would never have claimed to be. But he is now perfected and present with the Lord. If your last day was today, would you open your eyes to see King Jesus like Richard did? I believe Richard would encourage us to look inside and if we have not given our lives to Jesus, to do so this very hour.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” - Hebrews 4:16

Amen.