Below is the eulogy that I gave for my Grandpa Flynn, who passed away the weekend after Thanksgiving. I spoke only from an outline, so this is my attempt to recollect the words that I actually said.
Tribute to a Faithful
A Eulogy for Grandpa Flynn
Hello. I am the oldest of Grandpa’s Wyoming grandkids. I have talked with my brothers regarding their thoughts about Grandpa, and I think we are of one mind in our recollection. But first, I want to share one of Royce’s memories that doesn’t exactly fit into what I’ll be talking about. He wanted to remind everyone that at age 69 Grandpa demonstrated how to do a back flip off the diving board! This is just one of many examples of his zest for life.
As I reflect back on Grandpa influenced my life, I am surprised by what does not come to mind. It is not the numerous pool parties that he threw for birthdays or family get-togethers. It is not getting my back adjusted, hoping that he would not find my C1 or pubes out of alignment—these were not fun to get adjusted! It is not the mathematics tutoring that I received from him during junior high and high school, even though his academic mentoring was very influential. It is not even the wise words that still echo in my ears and gave me perspective as I wrestled with issues ranging from a broken heart to graduate school burnout, “It’s par for the course.” After leaving for New York, my visits back to Wyoming almost always consisted of a three or four hour conversation on theology or philosophy; yet I cannot recall the specific content of these recent and deep conversations.
As I remember Grandpa, two qualities stand out that seem to dwarf the others: his gratitude and his eager expectation of the return of Christ. I know some people have said he was just about the best man for whom to cook—he expressed his gratitude heartily with every bite. I don’t know how many times he would come over for one of Mom’s brunches (which are quite legendary) and with every morsel of strawberry or every mouthful of waffles exclaim things like, “This is just incredible,” or, “This is just such a treat!” Meanwhile, I would have already eaten two cinnamon rolls without so much as a peep. His gratitude extended beyond food though, to everyone who helped him out with his oxygen or mowed his lawn or shoveled his walk. I still have much to learn from him in this regard.
Paradoxically, his gratitude for the blessings of this world was superseded only by his longing for the blessings of the next. His strong interest in eschatology and the state of Israel stemmed from his longing to see the return of Christ. I have heard him say, “Come, Lord Jesus,” so many times that when I read the end of Revelation today it is his booming voice I hear proclaiming those words. He was truly looking for the heavenly city—certain of its coming. In short, he was a man of faith. And I am grateful to have had him as one of my spiritual mentors.
In the time that I knew him, he lived his life as a testimony, as a witness of the things not yet seen. And just as we are told that Abel still speaks through his faith, even though he is dead; so also, Grandpa by faith still testifies to the death, the resurrection, and the imminent return of our Lord. Although it is true that he is in a better place, this really doesn’t capture the essence of his life or his death. Rather, he stands now among that great cloud of witnesses and by faith his voice is still speaking, encouraging us to run this race with eyes fixed on Jesus, to persevere, and to not lose heart. One passage in Hebrews is particularly pertinent, and I instantly thought of him when I read it. I want to read that passage as a tribute to him.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Heb. 11:13-16, TNIV)
