MY DEAR FRIEND GEORGE

Today I had the heavy and sorrowful responsibility to speak at a memorial service for my dear friend, George Starke. George passed away unexpectedly a few days ago. Ever since his precious wife Jane called with the sad news, I have found it difficult to accept the reality and truth that George has left us.

I met George and Jane about four years ago when I asked them to become the minister of music and pianist, respectively, of Lake Arrowhead Chapel, where I served as pastor at the time. Though I left Lake Arrowhead over three years ago, our love and friendship have become stronger.

My wife Cissy and I have met George and Jane regularly for dinner. Some months ago we spent a wonderful week together at the beach (more about that later).

I think of some verses from the Old Testament when I think of George Starke. Moses wrote, "The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him; my father's God, and I will extol Him.”

George often recounted to me the influence of his pastor father upon his life. George spent 60 years in ministry, mostly with music. Just three weeks ago he preached his first sermon … without using music. He told me he had enough of his preacher father in him to deliver a sermon. Most of all, though, he was full of the Holy Spirit and love for Jesus.

Just a few days before his death, George and Jane took a ten day trip across North Carolina and Tennessee. Jane says that as they travelled through towns, George would repeatedly point out churches they passed. Each time he would say, “My father and I led a revival in that church.”

The Psalmist declared of the Lord, “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the LORD.”

God used George mightily and expansively over the years to help bring people to Christ. He was a music leader and soloist for some of the great revival preacher/pastors of the last half century. He worked with renowned men like W.A. Criswell, R.G. Lee, John Haggai, Herschel Hobbs, and Billy Graham.

In the book of Proverbs I read, “The glory of young men is their strength, and the honor of old men is their gray hair. George had both strength and gray hair! As a young man he was awarded a college football scholarship. But at 79 years of age, George still had vigor and enthusiasm. Even recently he played racquet ball.

Another verse in Proverbs says, "A man's pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.” One reason I esteemed George so highly was his humility. George accomplished much through his ministry, but people who came to know him in recent years had little knowledge of his reputation and resume, because he seldom talked about it.

At an Arkansas church he taught Buryl Red, who has become a famous composer and director based in New York. In Dallas George put together great concerts, such as leading a 300-voice choir and full orchestra. In Tallahassee one of his great memories was a 100-voice college chorale he led every Sunday night. He served various churches around metro Atlanta as minister of music. Beyond the churches, he sang in various groups, including over 20 years in the Robert Shaw Chorale that won Grammy awards.

A memory that will be treasured by our family will be when George sang at the wedding of my wife Cissy’s daughter three weeks ago. Jane played the piano, and George sang “In This Very Room” with a personalized ending for the wedding couple, Betsy and Josh.

People who encountered George quickly learned of his love for music, as well as his love to have fun and play jokes on people. From famous preachers to friends and family, myriads of tales could be told of his playfulness.

Several years ago the Starkes got Cissy and me watching the TV show, “Boston Legal.” Each episode has some courtroom drama and much silly humor. The close of each show has a scene with the two lead characters sitting on a balcony, puffing cigars with drinks in hand, reflecting on their lives and their relationship.

Now back to my story about Cissy and me hosting George and Jane at the beach. We took walks on the beach, watched the full moon rise over the ocean, and ate lots of seafood. One night the gals had a special treat for us.

Our wives invited George and me to come out on the balcony. As we propped up in chairs, they handed us a cigar and glass (tea instead of bourbon) and clicked a photo.

Indeed, George and I had a relationship similar to the two characters on the show. Though we were not real close in age, we were very close in heart and soul. I loved and admired George so much! I count it such an honor to cherish the friendship with him and Jane.

Though I have a hard time accepting the news that George has passed away, it does not negate the reality and truth that he is gone. Likewise, even if I might have difficulty accepting some of the news told through Scripture, it does not affect the truth and reality revealed by God. This gives me great comfort when a believing friend passes over to the other shore of eternity. For example in the New Testament, I read …

“To those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, He gives eternal life.” (Romans 2:7)

“And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, o Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!’” (Revelation 15:3)

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17)

I give thanks to God for the great honor I have to know George Starke. I praise God for calling George to salvation in Jesus Christ, and giving him a home in heaven. To quote R.G. Lee, “Heaven is the most marvelous place the wisdom of God could conceive and that the power of God could prepare.”