Larry Hunter Funeral Service

And all Neli family. I want to thank you for coming to the celebration of life for Larry Hunter, San light of Nellie's painful sciatic nerve problem. We streamline the service somewhat essential part want to defer to her today and open up more word of prayer if he would bow with me at this time our fathers is our desire that you be glorified today. That's how we can best honor Larry his life demonstrated his faith in who Jesus is, as God the son, and what he accomplished to his perfect life sacrificial death and his victorious resurrection were thankful that not only did Larry embrace Christ as Savior served him as Lord for number of years in a number of ways were also thankful that after 80 years of life on this earth. Larry is now was experiencing the believer's hope he's worshiping you in glory want to thank you for your work in and through his life in Jesus name we pray. Amen. Tears and heartache are part of loving and losing someone but the grief of our temporary loss must be balanced over joy over Larry's eternal gain. Indeed, we do want to celebrate Larry's life. But even more importantly, want to celebrate the fact that he is now experiencing the believer's hope and whether through death or through the Lord's return. We who are trusting in Christ will join him in God's appointed time, the families asked that I read Psalm 23, a favorite of his has a Scripture presenting the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his namesake yay though I walk to the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for you are with me your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemy. You anoint my head with oil my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Larry's life clearly demonstrated that the Lord was his Shepherd and we can be thankful that even in the valley of the shadow of death. We need not fear this wonderful Psalm speaks of the Lord's presence is provision is peace is protection and his promise of eternal life. At the family's request. Kim farmer will come and saying, be not afraid.

I have read being needing. I called you by a will you is with when new pad loads do not sleep for you not being to love my love is nice meeting. I have read the I will buy a has been with when you not sleep when you are you not me you love is my is that my love shown in when you will be way when you and does not sleep when you you not be you is nice red is nice log is Kim at this time were going to have some reflections from a family reminder. Luke 645. This is a good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things I've been given a memory, an overview of Larry by the family that I read.

But before I do, let me simply give a personal reflection of my own. I don't know when I first started teaching couples serving Christ at beacon, but in 2006 I joined the staff here and stop teaching that class. Larry was in the class and 15 1/2 years went by and the Lord enable me to resume that after that span and one thing that was consistent. It's like Larry was bookends.

I can't tell you the number of times he would say an Encouraging Word to me before that time serving the youth and after that time he love the word of God.

He love teaching the word of God. He love listening to the word being talked.

Let me read this from the family of Jaime and then will have some personal comments from some 300 was born in 1942, the youngest of six siblings. His father died of a heart attack soon after Larry's birth, so we never really had a dad around the age of five he was given a guitar and he learned to play it all by himself.

Not surprising, since the whole Hunter family seems to be blessed with the gift of musical talent as a teen and young adult, he was an outstanding athlete lettering in basketball and baseball at Graham high school sports for another love of his Larry's decision to join the Army in the early 1960s, leading to posting in El Paso, Texas, where he met and married the love of his life. Neli is a started their little family. Graham Larry continued to enjoy playing guitar and singing and successful bands with other talented musicians while also developing his career as a credit analyst eventually retired as VP of finance at GE capital in the early 80s God stepped in it. Larry's life and changed his heart. He found a home church soon after began using his gifts in a different direction, singing in the choir was something he truly enjoyed as well as teaching and Sunday school.

Later on, Neli accompanied him as he began going to nursing homes to play music and teach the Scriptures. It was a passion of his for over a decade to serve the Lord in this way the last several years of Larry's life were beset by multiple health issues that he powered through without complaining.

He continued to love and to be there for his dear wife, his daughters, his grandchildren was even blessed to spend time with eight great grand children. There's no doubt that Larry will be profoundly missed by his family and friends. His departure leaves a big hole in the hearts and lives of those who knew him best with those hearts will never forget the good times the blessings the last we experience because we had the honor of knowing this great man, this child of God. Godspeed, Larry this time. Family members will come and share some thoughts you could all of their with 20 through this loan for those who do not know me all my name is Hunter Simmons. Larry's home oldest grandson my mom and the but it the book that a deal that would read the first boy would get in the Hunter and I will send the store today we gather to remember grandfather who was a very important part of my life as a child growing up all the way into adult. I was blessed to spend immense amount of time with them from playing golf 2 to 3 times a week, mowing multiple yards each Saturday listening to hundreds of stories from his childhood and beyond. And of course get you to get steak every weekend. We have some of the best memories that outsource the rest of my life over the years. He is hoping a number of ways. He taught me concepts, skills, hobbies, that will continue to use because of this will have the opportunity pass them along to my children, both grandfathers will usually take the grandchildren to the place of work with them but I had the privilege numerous times of going with him many great people through his work them actually still in contact with the one thing that stood out to me over the years was that he was always helping people and serving others.

So my best memories were going with him to the prisons and rest homes we minister to people while playing and singing as he tore which was externally tells about his desire is to study and teach the word of God was evident in his life and made a tremendous impact home on another impact that you have my life has occurred to me to join the military at the age of 19 is very hesitant at first, and at one point, I didn't want to go. However, you've mosh the realization that I needed to better myself. He knew that being a prior veteran himself, it would not only help me to mature and grow with it would turn me into a better man and boy was he right. I know for a fact that nobody could've been a better grandfather and great-grandfather that he was to me. My children over the years.

If one thing is for sure. I have been blessed with atomic God has given me with them because as we all know we are not promised tomorrow. James 414 reads read you do not know what will happen for more. What is your life is even a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away think think you Hunter. I'm here representing his first granddaughter.

My oldest daughter Megan and fortune. She wasn't able to attend so she sent me this email that I've read 100 times. I made it through just fine, but I can guarantee I'm probably not conducive this time put to do my best. It's so hard to share these things without being there. It's so hard to give words to a lifetime of memories and then give those words to someone else to speak the golden strands of sunshine that wove in and out of my childhood Paul as part of so many of them. He punctuated my life with the best of himself and that included countless errands seen the carpenters at the top of the voices beach trips carousel rides and of course the many chick flicks amateurs. He wants brought back a small arsenal of Little Mayor Meigs pajamas. From a business trip to New York. He knew how to make me feel like a million bucks when I was a little girl he prayed with me and for me as I grew up recently. Study Bibles and commentaries galore.

He planted so many seeds, some without even meaning to. And they seeds have taken root. Paul Paul left me well even when we disagree on things he didn't shame me for making mistakes. He just kept praying and I'm so glad to have known him and grown up close to him. Listening to him seeing or explain any words watching him hold each of my daughters and smiled at them. I will miss his hogs. His smile in his voice. I will miss listening to him play the guitar. He was a pillar in our family and my life.

Larry's youngest daughter. This is a letter to. I didn't mean it to be read in first I thought I would hear dad, you left this earth. I felt my heart break into a thousand pieces. Suddenly there was a huge emptiness in the place that filled my entire life is you. It was always easy get our home and I developed lifelong understanding, appreciation and love for because of you I grew up a strong love of country and patriot spirit because of you had a wonderful example of how real men provide for their families and never let them down.

Dad, you were not perfect but no one is you love just wanted the best rest. Thank you for spoiling you for teaching, Michelle and me about the sign in the Earth's rotation with that globin flashlight. Thank you for getting it and letting us stay up past bedtime many times to watch the Carolina basketball game ever teaching me how to do a proper layout. Thanks for not giving up taking care of I will cherish every memory left but will miss you terribly LOL know you are in a glorified body in heaven with Jesus makes it easier to bear. Too bad we can't hear it yet it would've been fine.

I love your want to repeat something that I read earlier met his tears in her daycare part of loving and losing someone with the grief of our temporary loss must be balanced with the joy over Larry's eternal gain for Christians. A memorial service is somewhat of a paradox paradox is a seeming contradiction is possible to be brokenhearted and rejoice at the same time, it would be unnatural and I degree over the loss of someone you love. But for Christians it would be unnatural not rejoice over someone you love and glory. On Sunday, March 27. I call Larry because I miss seeing him at church later that very day he was admitted to ARMC on Thursday, March 31, 2022 shortly after 3 PM. We learn that God called him to his eternal home in less than one week a man who faithfully worship from that church pew. 40 years was worshiping in heaven. Proverbs 27 one states do not boast about tomorrow. If you do not know what to make day may bring forth. There is a point in time ordained by God for each of us were opportunities will close were not promised one more minute let alone one more day. Larry believed and taught that it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment and the passion of his soul was that all of his loved ones would meet again in heaven truly, if you were standing here, he would say with the apostle John, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth, I had intended to share something at the graveside service focusing on Nelly and I decided to share it here mainly because of it being windy and cold outside, in deference to her in an effort to offer comfort to my own mother Nelly when God call my father home. I shared a prayer with her that she could read during times when grief hit are the hardest. It was to remind her of numerous promises from God and in closing the service.

Nelly, I want to encourage you in particular with this dear father of mercies and God of all comfort hi thank you for your abundant grace that saved me, and even now sustains me for your tender mercies that are new every morning for your great faithfulness in protecting me and providing for me. I praise you for who you are, the Almighty who can do anything that glorifies your holy name. I long to honor you by embracing your prominence for my life but I'm weak. Lord during the ceaseless temptation I want my will and to be discontent to be bitter over my circumstances. Give me strength to pray like the Savior prayed in his hour of agony father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will but what you will guide my steps in these times of uncertainty, comfort me with a sense of your presence during these times of heartache help me and turned to comfort others by resting in your promise to never leave us or forsake us. When feelings of helplessness threatened overwhelming. I need your grace to be anxious for nothing. When discouragement presses down upon me. I need your mercy to rejoice in all things and to pray with thanksgiving when doubt seemed consume me. I need to trust in you with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding of father when I do not know what to pray.

May your precious spirit intercede from a with groanings which cannot be uttered so that even the wordless yearnings of my heart. Her sweet smelling savor to you. You have made me exactly as you wanted me to be. You have ordained my path and my days.

I rest in you alone.

Is my creator, my Savior, my cane, my comforter, my guide my shepherd and my father in Jesus name I pray. Amen. Would you please stand at this time for closing prayer. Dear Lord, we do call upon you as the father of mercy and God of all comfort and once again we want to thank you for your grace evidence in the life of her brother Larry Hunter. We miss him and at the same time we rejoice that he's in your presence. Thank you for the impact that Larry had on many through his hateful use of the gifts that you bestowed upon them. Please be with Nelly in the family and the days ahead please meet their needs. 10 calm their anxieties.

We ask this in the name of Christ on