CityView Magazine

12 | July/August • 2014 publisher's note O On Friday, May 16, I witnessed a phenomenon. No, it was not a tornado or natural act, but a funeral. is was a type of funeral that will not be seen again. I know this because I have attended several personal funerals in my life. My son Bob's funeral was very unique and different, but not like this one. He died before his time, however he accomplished many things in his short 31 years on this earth. I talked about my love for my son and how he had come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. I know I will see him again. Now what made this funeral so special and unique was a man in this community who lived a full produc- tive and successful life in many ways. is man was a Christian and led his three sons and many others to know the Lord. He ran his successful business on Christian principles. He was a pillar at his church and a leader in the community. His name was Scott McFadyen. His three sons, Malcom, Bill and John each gave a testimony to their father's life and how it was filled with Christ. ere are testimonies at many funerals, but not like this one. Before us were three sons sharing their love of their father with the congregation with humor, gratitude and most of all, grace. ree powerful state- ments of faith and fortitude. Although they were all equally as good, the middle son, Bill who has a very unu- sual "command of presence" gave both a humorous tribute, but tied the bow to this fabulous testimony. Scott had different names for his sons. Bill's was "Billy Boy," so he nicknamed his dad, "Daddybear." Daddybear was always making a big deal about leaving the lights on in the house and that transcended to his own family. He asked during the service directly to his three children on the front row what he was famous for saying. Simultaneously they replied, "Turn out the lights." e McFayden boys learned that trait from their father, who grew up during e Great Depression. He was a frugal man that did not like to waste anything, as his parents suffered economically during those times. He reflected on the teaching from Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount that his dad taught him as a little boy: "Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." Bill said, "Daddybear I think you should let your light shine." He ended the tribute as he told of going to his dad's house to get some important papers during the waning days of his life. He turned down a hallway toward his father's bedroom, and a light was still on. How provi- dential that moment was. He turned out the light when he le the room and reminisced by stating at his close that his father's light is now burning forever. How blessed they are to have been able to share their life with many. Only two weeks later, the three sons had a redux of their dad's funeral when their mother, Virginia Rose, died on Monday, May 26. e three sons paid homage to their mom just as they had their dad. I was not present, but heard about the service from several people. Youngest son, John, spoke with a heavy heart when he said his mother is joining deceased wife Brenda in heaven and that she would want to talk with the gospel writer Mark. His book was her favorite in the Bible. It is difficult to lose one parent, but losing both in a matter of weeks is heartbreaking, yet bittersweet when you know they will finally be with the Lord. e McFayden sons handled it all in grace in the way they honored their parents. Honor thy Father & Mother

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