Remembering Millard Dean Fuller January 3, 1935 - February 3, 2009

"I see life as both a gift and a responsibility.  My responsibility is to use what God has given me to help
his people in need."

These are the words of Millard Fuller.  How appropriate they are when describing this great man.

Millard Fuller was the founder and former president of Habitat for Humanity International.  Habitat, as most know, is a nonprofit organization known around the world for building houses for those in need.  He is regarded as the leader of the modern day movement for affordable housing around the world.

Millard Fuller was born in Lanett, Alabama. His mother died when he was 3.  His dad remarried and Millard's business career began at the age of 6 when his dad gave him a pig.  Millard is said to have fattened the pig up and sold it for $11.  Millard was soon buying and selling pigs, rabbits, and chickens and selling them for a profit.  Following high school, Millard graduated from Auburn University with a degree in economics. He continued his studies by attending the University of Alabama where he received his law degree.

Millard became very successful in both law and business.  He married his wife Linda and became a self made millionaire by the age of 29.  He and his wife discovered that money doesn't make you happy.  It seemed like the more wealthy they got, the more problems they had.  One day Millard and his wife decided to give their money away and turn their lives over to Christian service.  The Fuller family moved to a farming community in Georgia.  They remained there for five years until the decided to become missionaries in Africa in 1973 where their vocation was building homes.  While there, they  came up with the idea that if homes could be built in Africa, why couldn't they be built around the world.

They returned to the U.S. and began a Christian ministry at Koinonia Farm in Georgia and, as part of the ministry built simple decent homes for low income families in their community.  They sought assistance from others in the community through both donating labor and contributions.  Those who received the homes repaid for the materials along with donating their time and efforts to building additional homes.  No interest was charged and these principles were used to expand the ministry.  They named the ministry "Partnership Housing" that eventually was expanded to Habitat for Humanity.  In 2005, they founded another non-profit organization with the same vision called "The Fuller Center for Housing."

The Fullers, over the years, are responsible for more than a million people with homes in more than 100 countries.  Among those supporters of the Fullers are former U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.  Bill Clinton presented Fuller with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and was quoted as saying "I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that Millard Fuller has literally revolutionized the concept of philanthropy."

Fuller Memorial Celebration

Millard Fuller authored ten books and was the recipient of more than 50 honorary doctorate degrees.  He has also received numerous awards and honors for his work.  One of his books "Theology of the Hammer" explains Fuller's philosophy. "Love in action changes the face of volunteering in America and has inspired millions to pick up a hammer and make a difference in their communities. "

Fuller program and nail apron

Millard Fuller died on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 after experiencing chest congestion for about a month.  He was 74 years of age.

A Memorial Celebration of Millard's life was held March 14, 2009 in the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia (program pictured).  Among those who paid tribute to Millard was former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.  Others who reflected on Fuller's life were two homeowners from Fuller's organization.  The songs sung were favorites of Millard's that included "Higher Ground" and "We're Marching to Zion."  Those who attended the celebration received a "nail apron" that reflected Millard's life (pictured).  He was laid to rest on Koinonia Farm.

Millard Fuller resting place

Remembering Wallace Hartley June 2, 1878 - April 15, 1912

It's been over 100 years and the story of the Titanic continues to be on the minds of many.  I don't know about you but anytime the Titanic is brought up, I immediately begin to put myself on the ship
and try to imagine how I would react in knowing that my life would soon end.

Wallace Hartley was one of the major heroes on the ship.  He was the bandleader of the Titanic and played a major role in trying to keep the hundreds of passengers at ease knowing that he would soon perish.

Hartley was born in Colne, Lancashire, England.  His dad was a choirmaster and Sunday school superintendent at a Methodist Church.  Wallace is known for his introduction of the hymn "Nearer My God To Thee" to his congregation.

Hartley's violin and case

Wallace became an accomplished violinist and after high school, began working for a bank until he became a member of the Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra.  He continued to master his music career and eventually joined the Cunard Line as a musician on various ocean liners including the RMS Mucania, RMS Lusitania and the RMS Mauretania.  He soon joined the White Star Line of ships that changed his status from a crew member to a passenger of the ship.

In 1912, Hartley was assigned to be the bandmaster of the RMS Titanic and because he had a fiancée, he reluctantly took the position even though he would be separated from her for periods of time.  He took the job only because he felt he could move up in status and would enhance his future career possibilities.

Titanic

During a voyage on April 15, 1912, as the band played and passengers were enjoying themselves, we all know the Titanic hit an iceberg and would soon begin to sink.  Hartley and the other band members continued to play music as women and children were loaded on lifeboats.  Survivors from the tragedy claim Hartley and the band were instrumental in preventing added chaos and keeping the passengers as calm as possible.  Many in the lifeboats claimed to have seen Hartley and the other band members standing on the boat deck and soon saw three of the members washed off the ship and the remaining five were dragged down with the bow of the ship.  A newspaper reported after the tragedy that "the part played by the orchestra on board the Titanic in her last dreadful moments "will rank among the noblest in the annals of heroism at sea."

Coincidentally, the final song played by the band is said to have been Hartley's hymn "Nearer, My God, to Thee"

Wallace Hartley funeral card

HaTwo weeks following the sinking of the Titanic, Hartley's body was recovered and was said to be fully dressed with his music case strapped to his body.  It was returned to England where Wallace's father met the ship and brought his son back to Colne.

Wallace Hartley's funeral (funeral card pictured) was held on May 18, 1912 and is reported that over 1000 people attended the service. It was also speculated between 30000 and 40000 people lined the streets for Hartley's funeral procession.  He was laid to rest in Keighley Road Cemetery in Cole.  His gravesite features a 10 foot headstone in which a violin is carved into the base.

Hartley's home continues to be recognized by tourists and his violin has been on exhibition at Titanic museums.

Hartley's resting place

Remembering "Marlboro Man" David McLean May 19, 1922 - October 12, 1995

Whatever happened to "Marlboro Man"?

Many of the younger generation has never heard of "Marlboro Man"  Those of us in our fifties and sixties, when cigarettes were popular, knows that "Marlboro Man" was a popular cowboy on television whose purpose was to show the "macho side" of smoking, not just any cigarette, but Marlboros.

Marlboro Man was actually an Akron, Ohio native by the name of David McLean.  He appeared on television and newspaper advertising wearing his stetson and often riding his horse.  Part of his compensation was a free supply of cigarettes.

McLean was born Eugene Joseph Huth and was an actor who played the leading character in a short-lived western television series called "Tate"  He also appeared in numerous television episodes and feature films during the 1960's and 70's. He was a guest star on "Laramie" and as "Steve Collier" a corrupt politician in "Beyond Justice" and as Cully Brown in "A Grave for Cully Brown."  He also could be seen on episodes of popular westerns including "Death Valley Days" "Bonanza" "The Virginian" and appeared on the "Perry Mason" show. 

Ironically, McLean would eventually become an anti-smoking crusader after he learned that he developed lung cancer.  He attended a stockholder's meeting of the Philip Morris, maker of Marlboro, asking them to limit  their advertising that included his appearance.  He joined a campaign to end the  advertising of cigarettes on television.

David McLean's funeral program

Unfortunately, lung cancer took McLean's life on October 12, 1995 at the age of 73 in Culver City, California.  

The Gates, Kingsley & Gates Funeral Directors directed his funeral service (program pictured) in the Holy Cross Mausoleum Chapel in Culver City on Oct. 18, 1995 and following the service, McLean was laid to rest in Holy Cross Cemetery.  

McLean's resting place

Following McLean's death, his widow and son filed a lawsuit against Philip Morris that claimed the firm encouraged and even required cigarette smoking that caused his death. 

Remembering Chris Kyle April 8, 1974 - February 2, 2013

Chris Kyle will go down in American history as one of the country's most lethal weapons.

Chris was born in Odessa, Texas and was the son of a devout Christian family.  His dad bought Chris his first gun at the age of 8 and taught Chris to hunt pheasant, quail and deer.  Chris would soon find himself in the rodeo as a bronco rider until he severely injured his arm.

Chris decided to join the armed forces.  He initially wanted to become a Marine.  In talking to a Navy recruiter, Chris was told about the Navy SEALS program.  Initially he was refused because of the arm injury he had received in the rodeo but was soon contacted about an opportunity to attend Basic Underwater Demolition school.  He joined the US Navy in 1999.

Chris is recognized as the most skilled sniper in military history.  He had 160 confirmed kills out of 255 claimed kills and served four tours in the Iraq conflict and awarded the 4th highest commendation for heroism, acts of merit and military service in a combat zone.  Nicknamed the "Devil of Ramadi" by Iraqi insurgents, he was the recipient of the Bronze Star and numerous Silver Star medals.  During his military career, Kyle was shot twice and involved in six IED attacks.  His longest successful shot was from 2100 yards away having killed an insurgent with a rocket launcher. Because of Kyle's skill as a marksman, he had a $80000 bounty on his head by the enemy.

Kyle's book and memorial program

He left the US Navy in 2009 and returned to Midlothian, Texas with his wife and two children.  He
wrote his life story in a book called "American Sniper with the money from the book going to the Heroes Project.  It became a New York Times bestseller. He made several television appearances including the "Today Show" "Stars Earn Stripes" and the Bill O'Reilly.

On Feb. 2, 2013, Chris and a friend, Chad Littlefield were doing some shooting practice at a range in Rough Creek Ranch Resort in Erath County, Texas.  The two friends were working with another soldier who suffered from post traumatic stress disorder.  The other soldier, Eddie Ray Routh mortally shot both Kyle and Littlefield.  Routh was later captured during a freeway chase.

Honors as Texas State Cemetery

Memorial at Cowboy stadium

Chris Kyle's life was celebrated at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Feb. 11, 2013 (program pictured)  that was attended by nearly 7000 people.  It was said of Kyle, "he was more than an excellent sniper feared by U.S. enemies-he was a dedicated family man known for his sense of humor, compassion, selflessness and generosity."  Country singer Randy Travis sang "Whisper My Name" that was requested by Chris' wife, Taya because of the song's meaning to both Chris and Taya.  His flag draped casket sat in the middle of the Cowboy "star" The day following the memorial tribute, Kyle was laid to rest nearly 200 miles away in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin where people lined the streets and the hearse was accompanied by the Patriot Guard and nearly 200 vehicles.

Remembering George Beverly Shea February 1, 1909 - April 16, 2013

O the wonder of it all!
The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.

O the Wonder of it all!
The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.

These are the words and music penned by the late George Beverly Shea so often heard on Billy Graham crusades all over the world.

George Beverly Shea was born in Ontario, Canada to a Wesleyan Methodist minister.  He was a very shy boy but displayed his musical gifts at a young age and performed in his father's church.  He began playing chords on his family's piano by the age of 5.  Shea said he became a Christian at the age of five or six but made a rededication to Christ at the age of 18.

One Sunday morning in 1926, Shea reluctantly was talked into singing a solo on a Sunday morning worship service and that was the beginning a lifelong career of displaying his baritone voice as a service to his Lord and Savior.  A few years later, when sitting down at the piano, he noticed a poem written by his mother and immediately the tune "I'd Rather Have Jesus" began to flow.  He would soon find himself performing his talents on Christian radio.

Shea became the staff announcer for the Moody Bible Institute's radio station.  It was during that time that he met the young Billy Graham.  Graham asked Shea to sing on his new radio program and the rest is history.  Billy Graham asked his friend to perform on crusades with him throughout the world.  Shea was also constantly composing songs along with singing hundreds of concerts.  Over the years, Shea received numerous honors and accolades including a Grammy award in 1965, a lifetime achievement award in 2011 and membership in the Gospel Music Association's Hall of Fame in 1978.  He was also the recipient of the Southern Baptist Evangelists Hall of Faith in 2008.  He was nominated for ten Grammy Awards.

George Beverly Shea has the distinction of having performed live before more people than anyone in history.  His largest performance was in 1973 during a meeting in Seoul South Korea in which 1.1 million people attended.

Shea authored a number of books including his autobiography "Then Sings My Soul"as well as "Songs that Lift the Heart" "How Sweet the Sound" and "Stories Behind 50 Southern Gospel Favorites" and also appeared in several films.  He was also the subject in the book, "George Beverly Shea: Tell Me the Story" written by Paul Davis.

George Shea funeral and special casket

Billy Graham said of Shea "Bev was the very first person I asked to join me in evangelism.  It was God who brought us together.  Bev will always be remembered as "America's beloved Gospel singer, whose rich bass-baritone voice touched the hearts of millions in our Crusades and through his recordings.  I have sometimes said that I would feel lost getting up to preach if Bev were not there to prepare the way through an appropriate song.  But I will always be grateful not only for his musical contributions to our Crusades but also for his warm spirit and his personal friendship over the years."

George Beverly Shea died on April 16, 2013 at the age of 104 following complications from a stroke.

George Shea's program and card

Shea's funeral was attended by nearly 1000 people including Billy Graham at the Anderson Auditorium in Montreat, North Carolina (funeral program pictured).  He was laid to rest in an Angola casket made by the inmates of the Louisiana State Penitentiary.  Warden Burl Cain from the penitentiary attended and was quoted as saying "I thought it was the most incredible funeral.  It was just a great celebration of
someone's life."Among those who eulogized Shea was Cliff Barrows of the Billy Graham ministry.  Several of Shea's recorded music were
played during the service.

Shea was laid to rest on the grounds of the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina.

George Beverly Shea's resting place at Billy Graham library

Remembering Rodney Dangerfield November 22, 1921 - October 5, 2004

He got his big break when the Ed Sullivan Show called him on March 5, 1967 following the cancellation of a performer asking Rodney Dangerfield to fill in that would result in the beginning of a successful career in comedy and film.

He was born Jacob Rodney Cohen in Babylon, New York to Jewish parents.  His father was a vaudevillian performer and were both descendants from Hungary.  His dad abandoned his family when Jacob was very young.  His mother moved to Queens, New York and Jacob attended Richmond Hill High School.  Jacob took on several jobs to support his family that included selling newspapers, ice cream, and delivering groceries.

When Jacob turned 15, he began to write for standup comedians and would soon perform his own standup at the age of 20 under the name of Jack Roy.  For several years, Dangerfield struggled to make ends meet and took jobs as a singing waiter and performed as an acrobatic diver.  He soon gave up his entertainment career to become an aluminum siding salesman.

In the 1960's, Dangerfield decided to give comedy another shot and returned to the stage by performing in hotels in the Catskill Mountains.  He decided he needed a unique image and style if he was to be successful.  It was then that he took on the name Rodney Dangerfield (came from a character of Jack Benny) and his character was one of never doing anything right.  Dangerfield gives Jack Benny credit for encouraging him.

Following Dangerfield's appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, Dangerfield began headlining shows in Las Vegas and continued to make appearances on the Sullivan show.  He also made numerous appearances on television including "The Tonight Show" 35 times as well as "The Dean Martin Show" He traveled on the road most of the time until he decided to build the Dangerfield Comedy Club that allowed him to stay home.  The club became very successful and hosted many television comedy shows that included many up and coming stars.

He won a Grammy Award for his album "No Respect" and a television special featured the song "Rappin Rodney" that became one of the first Hot 100 rap records.  His career began to peak in the 1980's when Dangerfield was featured in comedy movies that included "Caddyshack" "Easy Money" and "Back to School"  He also was featured in advertising campaigns for Miller Beer.  He took on a serious role as an abusive father in "Natural Born Killers"  Another film was "Little Nicky" with Adam Sandler.

Over the years, Dangerfield helped the career of several entertainers of comedy including Jim Carrey.

In 2001, Dangerfield suffered a mild heart attack while backstage of the Tonight Show.  He also began experiencing other health problems While in the hospital, it is said that someone asked him how long he had to stay in the hospital.  Dangerfield replied "if all goes well about a week.  If not, about an hour and a half."

It was reported that in September of 2004, Dangerfield was in a coma.  On October 5, 2004, Dangerfield died at the age of 82 from complications from surgery.

Dangerfield cookie and bookmark

Over Dangerfield's career, he always told his wife and agent to never book performances during the day.  When making Dangerfield's funeral arrangements, his wife, Joan decided it would be appropriate to conduct his funeral in the evening.  It has been reported that Dangerfield's funeral was one of the most elaborate funerals ever reported.  The funeral was held at Westwood Village Memorial Park and his wife created a candle-lit heaven's harvest that featured chandeliers that hung from trees and white cashmere carpet that covered the ground leading to the chapel.  A harpist performed as friends and family entered the chapel and all in attendance were presented his funeral program (pictured) that featured Dangerfield's signature red tie as well as a caricature cookie and bookmark thanking those in attendance for attending.  Bob Saget was the master of ceremonies and others who eulogized Dangerfield were Jay Leno who said that Dangerfield was the greatest standup comic of all time.  as well as Tim Allen, Roseanne, and Paul Rodriguez.  Highlighting the event, was a special memorial video created that included many of Dangerfield's special moments.  The funeral concluded with Frank Sinatra's "Come Fly With Me" that was the song playing in the hospital room the moment that Dangerfield died.  Following the service, pallbearers that included Adam Sandler, Michael Bolton, Jim Carrey, Rob Schneider, and Bob Saget carried Dangerfield's casket to its final resting place in Westwood.

Rodney Dangerfield funeral program

Academy Award producer Al Ruddy said of Dangerfield's funeral "It couldn't have been a better funeral if I had produced it.  For a man who didn't get no respect, Rodney's funeral certainly made up for it.

Dangerfield was laid to rest near several other actors and entertainers that include Carroll O'Conner, Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon.  Dangerfield's monument includes his engraved epitaph "There Goes The Neighborhood"

Dangerfield monument

Remembering Redd Foxx December 9, 1922 - October 11, 1991

He was known as the "Genius of Comedy" and holds the all-time record as the longest continuous headliner in Las Vegas history.

Redd Foxx was born John Elroy Sanford in St. Louis, Missouri.  His dad was an electrician and auto mechanic who left his family when Redd was four years of age.  His mother was half Seminole Indian and his grandma was a minister.  His older brother was named Fred G. Sanford Jr. that became the name of Redd's character on his popular television sitcom "Sanford & Son.  The name Redd Fox was taken from his reddish hair and complexion and Foxx was taken from the baseball star, Jimmie Foxx.

It was said that Redd dodged the draft during World War II by eating a half of a bar of soap prior to his physical that caused heart palpitations and prevented him from entering the service.

Redd began performing at the age of 13 when he, along with three friends, formed a washboard band.  They performed in the streets of Chicago.  They decided later to take the band on the road and took off for New York City.  He began performing on his own in Harlem as a one man band.  His audiences enjoyed his comedy more than his washboard playing and at the age of 16, Redd took a one week job in Baltimore that turned into a three year comedy performance.  He soon joined comic, Slappy White and for many years toured the ghetto clubs in Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York on the "Chitlin Circuit."  He eventually took his act to Los Angeles and signed his first of what would become 100 top selling comedy albums.

Redd on Sanford and Son

Redd began his television career in 1964 when spotted by Hugh Downs, host of the "Today Show"  This started him on the path to many variety and talk shows.  He performed adult comedy for nearly 37 years and later in motion pictures.  He appeared in the 1970 comedy,
"Cotton Comes to Harlem" that soon led him to his role in "Sanford and Son" that would be successful for five years.  During that time, Foxx also starred in the motion picture "Norman...Is That You?"with Pearl Bailey.  He eventually left Sanford and Son to star in his own variety show called "The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour"  Among the guest stars on his show were "Lawanda Page "Aunt Esther" on Sanford and Son, Bill Cosby, Milton Berle, and Rodney Dangerfield.  He eventually returned to "Sanford and Son"and in the film "Ghost of Chance" with Dick Van Dyke.

According to People Magazine, Foxx once earned $4 million dollars in a single year.  Unfortunately, he also lived a lavish lifestyle and a nasty divorce that resulted in major problems with the IRS.  His home in Las Vegas was seized along with Foxx's personal possessions.  It was reported that he owed the IRS $3.6 million dollars in taxes.

Redd was soon hired for a role in another sitcom called "The Royal Family" produced by Eddie Murphy and co-starred actress, Della Reese.  On October 11, 1991, while taking a break from the rehearsal of an episode, Redd suffered a heart attack and later died in a Hollywood hospital.  He was 68 years old.

Foxx is listed #24 on Comedy Central's 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time and influenced numerous comedians and was considered a pioneer black entertainer.  He was posthumously given a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.

Redd's funeral program

Redd Foxx's funeral (program pictured) was held on Tuesday, October 15, 1991 in the Palm Valley View Chapel in Los Vegas.  Because of Redd's financial problems, it was said that Eddie Murphy paid for Redd's funeral.  Redd's eulogy was given by fellow actress and minister Rev. Della Reese and Redd's song "When You Love Someone It's Christmas Everyday" was sung by Edie Akiels.  Honorary Pallbearers included Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Pat Morita and Slappy White.  He was laid to rest in the Palm Valley View Memorial Park in Las Vegas.  Coincidentally, Redd's mother outlived Redd by 17 months and was laid to rest next to Redd in 1993.

Redd Foxx grave in Las Vegas

Redd once summed up his life by saying "I give thanks everyday that I was granted the talent to make people Laugh."