UNCLE ORSON
Good morning, brothers and
sisters, I appreciate this time I have to say a few words about the life of one
of my favorite people in the world.
Orson Whitmer has been a part of my life for all the days I can remember. His influence flows through many of the
habits and experiences I have had and will be with me for the rest of
eternity. He has been my friend and my
mentor for much of my life.
I am the eldest child Uncle
Orson’s eldest brother Rex – Orson was only 14 years old when I was born. My first memories of hm were when he was
getting ready to go on his mission to the Eastern States. It was an exciting time for our family and
though I really didn’t understand what was happening, I was caught up in the
hoopla. Two years later I was a little
more aware and remember Orson’s return and the buzz it created in the
family. Every time we went to my
grandparent’s home I would hope to hear more stories of what it was like to
serve as a missionary for the Savior.
There were some tales that made me a little nervous: like when he and
his companion spent the night in jail.
But most of his stories were the type that would get a little boy
thinking a mission might be a really fun thing to do.
Many of you may not know that
Uncle Orson spent a lot of time overcoming sickness when he was a
youngster. I don’t recall all the
maladies he had but I suspect it was really frustrating for a man of his
nature. To occupy his time, his mother
(my grandmother) would bring home model airplane kits for him to assemble. When he had completed each plane, he would
hang them from the ceiling of his room in some sort of attack position. While Orson was away on his mission, my
parents visited the family home quite often and one day I discovered this
wonderful room with all the airplanes.
Imagine my excitement when I
realized that if you open and close the door to the room really fast, it would
cause the bombers and fighters hanging from the ceiling to launch into a great
battle. My grandmother warned me not to do
it (after I was caught one time) but the temptation was too great so I
persisted. I didn’t understand the
consequences of my actions until, shortly after Orson’s return from his
mission, I was escorted to his room to explain why many of the airborne battalion
was damaged and in ruins. I think he
eventually forgave me but I have always harbored a fear of retribution for my
actions.
Over the years of our
relationship, I have observed how Uncle Orson dealt with people – especially
those whom he felt needed some extra help.
After I graduated from High School, Orson and Leslie allowed me to live
in their home while I worked and went to school. They had a large family and I’m sure it was
not easy to suddenly have a teenage boy (Joyee and Orson Jr., Beckee and Eric
were pretty young at that time) living in their home, acting much like a
teenage boy will act. But they were
patient and helped me see that I could be a better man than I had considered
possible. Leslie even seemed to ignore
my footprints on the ceiling as I learned to walk on my hands.
My time in their home gave me
some other benefits. With the large
brood they were raising, I observed the same love of family I had witnessed in
my own family. My parents suddenly
didn’t look so “stupid” because Orson and Leslie were doing many of the same
things that happened in our home. The
confirmation they provided helped me come to grips with some of my own
relationship problems I had with my folks.
My cool uncle help me see that my Dad was pretty cool also (but don’t
tell him I said that).
Brothers and sisters, I could go
on for hours with experiences that occurred while I was with my Uncle but you
don’t really want to hear all that. What
you really want you to know is that Orson Whitmer was a good man who loved God
and took excellent care of his family.
He made mistakes in his life and the consequences were often difficult
for him to bear. But he also made
innumerable wise choices and has left a legacy of goodness and faith that will
be remembered by his children and all those who knew and loved him.
The value of a man like Orson
Whitmer is found not in wealth or possessions but in the rivulets of godliness
that run through the lives of those whom he has loved and served.
His value is seen through the
kind eyes of his son Eric as he looks at those little girls he is raising. There is an Orson-like tenacity that is
familiar as you watch the way Orson Jr. works and treats the customers he
encounters in his business. Who does not
recognize Orson in the tenderness Damon has for other people who are in need of
a compassionate friend? And I can see
and feel Uncle Orson in the way Debbee remains so faithful in caring for her
aged parents. The joy for life breathes out of Seth and gives all a hint of the
excitement Orson always had for living. And
when you look in the tender, loving eyes of Beckee, they reflect the same
brightness that gave her father the will to struggle through all the challenges
of life – knowing that these are just the experiences of mortality that help us
prepare for eternity.
Yes, we are sending off a
wonderful man today. We will miss his
presence, but his influence will last for generations through the lives of
those he loved.
May God bless Orson to know how
much we love him and may his family always be thankful for the goodness he has
given them.
I bear my witness of the gospel
of Christ – which was the foundation of all Orson ever did. Because of the knowledge we have, we know
where we are going and what happens when we get there. Peace to each of you at this special time of
year. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment