THE WORLD HAS NEED OF WILLING MEN

Yesterday was the funeral of our darling Dick Avery. He has been a part of our ward for over 20 years, and he died peacefully in his sleep last week. Many of us thought of Dick as the father of our ward. Gary Baugh, one of the speakers, used the words ALWAYS THERE to describe him. I've never been to a more uplifting, joyful funeral. The talks by Gary Baugh, Bishop Grant Lyman, Mark Raps and Bishop Bob Hansen were just right. Everyone was smiling and nodding their heads in agreement with each speaker. The opening song was perfect: The World Has Need of Willing Men. The closing song was just as good: Called to Serve. Both songs describe Dick Avery to a tee.

Everyone loved Brother Avery. The Valley View Ward was so blessed to call him ours. There were many members of the stake in attendance, as well as former ward members. Friends of Dick & Joyce's as well as Susan and Arline were there to support this great family. It was especially wonderful to see our sweet Lyman family there (who we miss so much)! If you asked Dick to do something, he did it yesterday, and he always went the extra mile. When I taught seminary, we had priesthood take turns being in the building, and when it was Dick's turn he would arrive well before us (early class started at 5:30 a.m.) and the building was warm, all the lights were on and there were roses he cut for us in our room. When I served on the enrichment committe, he was a frequent sign up to be the priesthood, and often particiapted with us. He was always the first one to help, the last one to leave. Who will turn on the heat or A/C for us now at the drop of a hat? Who will drive to girls camp, and catch mice? Who will give us keys, change locks, help us with lights or a microphone or say, "you didn't hear this from me. . ."? Who will say, "Let me show you something" and then take us on adventures around the building or point out the best dish to eat at a potluck or which pot of chili is his? He was a perfect example of love and service. Always happy. Always smiling. Always ready to serve. I will miss him so much and I am so inspired to try to be like him and serve gladly and often with a kind, willing, happy heart.