Coffeyville (620) 251-6008
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Robin lit a candle
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
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Tamara Ellsbury lit a candle
Thursday, October 4, 2018
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David Smith posted a condolence
Saturday, May 29, 2010
To Robin:
My memory of Jerry has endured throughout the years - since 1977, when I first met him. I knew immediately that I had met someone very special. He was my manager when I worked for Cal-Tal Maintenance, a cleaning firm started up by another seminary colleague of Jerry's by the name of Dean Plew. Jerry was one of Dean's managers and I worked for Jerry.
Jerry's unwavering convictions about the Word and plan of God were magnetic. It is amazing how God's plan becomes clearer as we look back on the events that have shaped us. He brought Jerry into my life at the perfect time. I had positive volition, but needed some strong spiritual leadership - God gave me Jerry.
Like most believers I had been saturated with the apostate "social gospel" - "If you're right with people, you will be right with God". Jerry convinced me to reverse this thinking "If you're right with God you will be right with people" - a 180 degree reversal!
He clarified that Christianity. He helped me to see that I must learn to be dependant upon God, not man! He used tough language to ridicule Christians who deluded themselves with the idea that our human sacrifices, refined personalities, or personal "sacrifices" were an issue with a Holy God.
Everything Jerry said made sense! He cut through human view point and helped me distinguish God's point of view over human emotion and experience. He helped me realize how important it was to learn all about who and what Christ was about, as opposed to trying to become "good" enough for God. We had many occasions to talk - and I suppose it was often that I kept him from his busy schedule (seminary, work, family). I had so many questions and yet he never tired from "coaching" me. When I look back, I was like Timothy, and he was like Paul. I will never forget the discipleship I received from Jerry. He was to me a great counselor. He was one of the most influential men I have ever known.
He" walked" me out of the confusion I had endured, from both, my family and my church - to include BIOLA College - the "Christian college" that was on the same campus as Talbot Seminary where Jerry was enrolled at the time.
Jerry gave me a box of books at this time. He said I could have them because he was cleaning out his library. Those books have been with me since. One book, in particular, "The Parables of Jesus" by George Buttrick, became one of my most valued studies. Jerry's name is still stamped upon the insert. (His name was stamped on all his books. Did he continue doing that?) I have studied that book, quoted it and even bought copies for family and friends. One statement I recall went as follows: "Every duty we omit obscures some truth we might have known".
Jerry was a natural born leader - a man's man. He never told me about his tours of service in Viet Nam. This speaks to the fact that Jerry was not interested in drawing attention to himself. Rather, he seemed well aware of the necessity to do as the Apostle Paul, and " Count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord, for whom he suffered the loss of all things, and counted all of them to be but rubbish in order that he might gain Christ" (Romans 3:8). Jerry knew our Lord. Maybe he knew him like Paul knew him.
Jerry was an invisible hero. He fought the spiritual battles that made him a part of what R.B. Thieme described as the "pivot". A "pivot" is all of the believers in a nation who walk in the light by applying bible doctrine to their experience. They know that Jesus Christ controls history and that God, not man, has a monopoly on genuine promotion in life. The pivot of mature believers knows that no one is promoted unless God promotes them.
According to R.B. Thieme Jr, "God uses prepared believers". Jerry was prepared. He did not go out of his way to get peoples approval - he sought God's approval. Jerry fought his battles with bible doctrine. He could have done any number of things with his experience and education but his eyes were fixed on pleasing Christ our Lord. He followed the light that was provided him by his knowledge of the Word and the filling of the Holy Spirit.
" The righteous are like the dawn to the day, they continue to shine brighter and brighter until the day is full" (Proverbs 4: 18)
Jerry has been promoted. He is now in that place prepared for all believers - the "place of no more sorrow or tears". He is one more reason why I look forward to heaven - Jerry is a part of the eternal life Jesus promised to all those who believe in Him.
In closing, I hope I have provided one more tribute to a man who lived his life as unto the Lord. I express my sympathy to each member of Jerry's family who will miss him - first to you Robin, his wife, followed by each of his children, and to all the rest of his family, friends, and military colleagues.
"In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37 - 39)
We are members of the Royal Family of God by Grace. Reciprocal love
is the only response. The greatness of God is overwhelming as we watch Him weaving all things in our lives into the fabric of His blessing. (Rom.8:28)
His Grace is sufficient for all of us. (George Mueller / Berachah Church Missionary)
God Bless America - the land that Jerry loved!
Because of His Great Love, I remain
Sincerely Yours,
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Laura Ellsbury posted a condolence
Saturday, May 22, 2010
I miss you daddy. i love you so much but i know you are in heaven now. With laura #1, your first daughter your mom dad uncle terry and uncle darwin having a great time, one day we will all be together, and i will giv you a big hug you did wonderful things for me here on this earth, i dont know where i would be today if you and mom hadnt adopted me. i want you to know daddyi got award from school i scored exemplary on state assessment i know if you had been here you would have been at my cerumony. i can feel u watching me everyday and mom says to look in the sky everynight and the first star i see shining so bright is you, we put my bed by the window and i open the curtains and fall asleep watching your star, i love you so very much daddy, and i know i will be in heaven someday and we will be together again, that makes me smile.
love laura elizabeth ellsbury your daughter
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Tamara Ellsbury posted a condolence
Sunday, May 16, 2010
I AM VERY GLAD MY FATHER IS IN A PERFECT PLACE NOW!!!! I LOVE YOU DADDY!!!!!! YOU HAVE DONE SUCH WONDERFUL THINGS IN THIS LIFE!!!! NOW YOU HAVE MOVED ON TO MUCH BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS!!!! WILL SEE YOU AGAIN ONE DAY AND ON THAT DAY WE WILL REJOICE TOGETHER WITH MANY OTHERS!!
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Wayne Martin posted a condolence
Friday, May 14, 2010
Our prayers are lifted up for you Robin and all the family for God's sustaining and comforting grace this day and all the days to come. If we can help in any way please let us know. You have been in our church's prayers since hearing of Jerry's illness. Thanks to our living Lord Jesus and the living hope that is ours through faith in Him, our Risen Lord and Savior.
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