"> John Walter Vaughn's - Exhibit
Funeral for Robert Gayler

Webster's dictionary defines the word "unique" as; unusual, rare, or one of a kind. I believe "Unique" is just the word to describe Robert Gayler. He was truly unique in his work habits. He learned to love work at an early age. He took pride in his work and doing everything he did the very best he could possibly do. Although he only had a tenth grade education he was an extremely Intelligent and honest businessman. Someone said he enjoyed the challenge of making money more than he did spending it. But he was also a rare man in the way he did spend his money. Many times he anonymously helped others. He was charitable in giving generously to the needs he recognized as real needs, whether it was a large donation or just enough to help someone down and out get by. Marie told me that just last week he needed help changing his water. He found some young men in the street in Tulia. He asked if they would like some work. They told him they needed some money for groceries. He took them out to the field and back. When he asked how much he owed them they told him what they thought their labor was worth. Bob told them he thought it was worth more than that, and paid them twice the amount they asked. On the exterior Bob was rough cut. But his rough exterior covered a heart of gold.

Robert was Swisher County born and bred. He loved this country and found great pleasure in looking out over the pastures and fields from horse-back or out of the window of his pickup. He loved working the earth, pouring himself into every crop and reaping the benefit of his labor. But many of you have heard him say he did not do it by himself. He knew even though he owned the deed to the land, it was God's earth and God gave the increase. Bob in his own unique way gave thanks to God for everything.

Bob knew how to raise a good crop and he knew how to raise a good family. He taught his children not to be afraid of work. When the work was done there was plenty of time to sing and dance, to joke and enjoy the company of loving family members and good friends. As his children raised their own families they understood the wisdom of his loving yet strict discipline.

Although Bob did not attend church much he knew its value and encouraged his family to attend regularly. As I heard his children pray on the night of his death, I knew the principles of faith were shown to them through both of their loving parents.

As much as Bob loved this land and his work, there was never any questioning the greatest love of Bob's life here on earth was his wife, Vivian. There was a time he would have given up the crop to stay by her side in her time of need. She said she never questioned his love for her in the almost 65 years of marriage they enjoyed. In our world today that made Bob a unique man of love.

Bob had many talents, whether it be whipping up on a young man half his age, or outrunning a fully outfitted high school football player while wearing his cowboy boots. But by far his greatest gift and talent was his ability to love. His grandchildren and great grandchildren discovered it through his teasing. His community learned of it through his benevolence and years of service on various boards. His friends knew his love through his loyalty and concern. Those closest to him discovered his love through the way he gave himself unselfishly to meet their needs.

I believe Bob was able to give of himself in the way he has because of the model of his savior, Jesus. One of the family members has a picture of Bob being baptized in a horse tank somewhere west of Kress. Bob assured me as he assured others of his personal faith in Jesus as his Savior. As good a man as Bob was, he was not perfect. No man is perfect. He realized that at an early age. As he was confronted with his failures before God, and as he became aware of the punishment God requires of each person because of their sin, he knew he would be condemned if he could not find help. Bob found out that Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life (the only one to ever do so), and then died, not because he had to but to take the punishment for all of us who do not live the perfect life. As Bob heard that good news he believed it. He gladly responded to the invitation to accept the work of Jesus on his behalf, and trust his eternal destiny to God.

Bob came face to face with death many times and made this statement, "I am not afraid to die." He loved life and fought with all his strength to live but he knew that Jesus would take care of whatever he found on the other side of death's shroud. Bob was a man of his word and he believed God would keep his word. That faith enabled Bob to live as he lived and die without fear. None of us would wish Bob back the way he was. His struggle is past now; the battle for him is over. As full of life as Bob was during his 83 plus years here on earth, he is experiencing a higher plain of living now. He is more alive now than he has ever been. You see Bob inhabits the land of the Living and it is we who remain in the land of the dying. But this land of death is not a land without hope. Bob may not have been comfortable sharing his faith in so many words but his life reveals evidence of the hope he possessed. If you possess that same hope, because you too have accepted God's offer of forgiveness through Jesus for your personal sin, then you have not said your last goodbye to Bob. Death is only a temporary adieu, until we meet again in that place our Savior has prepared for those of us who believe. Bessie or I will be glad to help anyone who would like to talk about this further. Please make your arrangements while you have the opportunity.

As permanent a resident as Bob is with Jesus today there is a way he will continue to live here with us. Bob lives through his memory in all of our hearts and minds. Our grief is not for Bob but for ourselves. It is not for his gain that we grieve but rather for our loss. Grief is healthy and must be allowed a free expression to benefit us rather than hinder us in this difficult time. So let the tears flow, ask the questions which come to your minds, but above all turn to God with your sorrow. He will comfort you because he alone understands and offers you the only hope available in death, hope that is now and forever reality for our departed brother.

God Bless You
Bill Fuller
Pastor, First Baptist Church
Kress, Texas