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Saturday
March 6, 2004
Doug Ware died this
week. It had been coming for quite a while. Cancer.
A particularly aggressive kind. He fought the good
fight, well outlasting estimates proclaimed by the surgeons.
He was one year younger than I.
If ever someone put his affairs in order, it was Doug Ware.
He was a man more than prepared for the end of this dance.
He spent time with his friends and family and entertained
the hell out of us with his gentle observations and prolific
humor.
The most remarkable thing about Doug is that his enthusiasm for
Jesus never waned. In fact, in the face of all physical
devastation, his faith actually strengthened him. That's
not supposition. We all saw it. He lived his life so
fully it was hard to miss.
Doug Ware met his maker long before he left this world. And
that blessed relationship imbued him with a sense of serenity
which eased not only his suffering, but the suffering of those
who loved him and held him dear.
His forthright candor and voluminous e-mails were a testament to
the peace he carried and to the clarity with which he faced his
diminishing mortality. I am proud to have seen Doug's walk
with Christ, or at least a part of it, because it has drawn my
own relationship with God into a more specific relief. I
knew this man all too briefly but he has touched my life deeply
and I will not soon forget him.
There's lyric in a Carly Simon song ‹ "Life is eternal,
love is immortal, and death is only a horizon." Now
that Doug has crossed that horizon, it is only left for him to
continue that glorious walk.
Mike Cahill
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Dear Mom Willis,
Thanks for introducing me to
this great man that I remember as a man who lived with great Hope, loved
his God, had much faith yet lived with a lot of pain I
guess. Doug was so inspiring
and a might man of valor. Oh! I will miss his great mails thou we should
be comforted, he is with our good Lord in Heaven. Heavens has gained yet
a great general in the kingdom business. I believe Doug won so many
hearts through his mails and lifted so many in their faith amidst earth
troubles, storms and cares.
This news thou comes as a big shock to me, I came to know this man of
God through my dear Mom Anne Willis. Thanks Mom for introducing to us
this great man Doug that inspired my faith that so much to keep keeping
on amidst every concern and cares. Our condolences to you all his dear
ones and close relation. Jesus said to her am the resurrection and the
life, He who believes in me will live even though he dies and whoever
lives and believes in me will never die, do you believe this? John
11:25-26. May our dear comforter be with you and wipe away all
sorrow and tears knowing we shall meet Doug when we get there, Doug is a
great Winner.
Amen.
In HIM,
- ALVIN
AMAC-UGANDA
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Mon 3/8/2004 12:53 PM
My most recent memories of Doug were of
him visiting Westside Christian Fellowship church in Santa Monica
(2003). Doug and I had not seen each other in over 17 years (We
had originally met and become friends at Grace Community Church in
Panorama City - approximately 24 years ago). Yet, upon seeing
him again, we greeted each with a warm smile, a big hug & a kiss
on the cheek. This was typical of Doug . . . a warm smile, big
hug & a kiss on the cheek. Doug had the opportunity to meet
my husband. Doug and I also had the opportunity to meet each
other's children as well. I saw that Doug indeed had a way with
children (Melanie & Lillian, you've been blessed to have had such
a fun loving and free sprited dad).
Aware that Doug was battling cancer, I
sought to encourage him in some way when we'd see each other at church
. . . maybe with just a smile and a hug. I found that I never
seemed to walk away from Doug's presence without him encouraging me!
What an inspiration he was . . . every time I saw him! Even
talking with him over the phone, he'd make me reflect and smile.
Doug left my presence lookin' up.
To Doug - Thank you for, in a sense,
looking me up before you left for Paradise. Your free
spiritedness and renewed love for the Lord was a joy to behold!
I too will be " looking you up" when my pilgrim's
journey has ended. They'll be a sweet reunion of "the
gang" someday! Until then, I'll remember what Pastor
Clairville said at your Homegoing Service: "Good-by . . . not
good-by, [I'm] just seeing a brother off at the airport".
Lovingly - Your "Sis" Phyllis
A. Holland
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To
a wonderful spirit, an inspiration and symbol of courage and devotion
to our Lord.
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From
Rhonda Ware
Luke
9:37 says, "Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name;
welcomes Me" All the children here today are a
testament of what a knack Doug had with kids, and what a love.
He could reach right into that kid part of them and light them up.
He just instinctively knew what would charge a child and they would
open up. His ideas on what children need were sometimes a bit
unconventional but I stand immeasurably blessed by the way he shook
things up, as do many you that he lit a little spark in.
He challenged all of us to be a better parent. I can't count the
times I've heard and said recently that Doug gave more to his children
than most could receive from a father in 10 lifetimes. I know
the fires he lit in Lillian and Melanie will burn bright forever.
Doug is
the free-est spirit I've ever known. He enjoyed a fascination
with Wild birds. From childhood he was forever rescuing injured birds
with a passion to return them to flight. A year ago or so I gave
him a bookmark with the words from Isaiah 40:31 "but those who
hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on
wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk
and not grow faint". We all saw Doug live this way in
recent years, especially.
Wednesday
morning after the Lord brought Doug to his ultimate glorious freedom,
the girls and I were out in the backyard eating breakfast... so heavy
hearted. We heard a loud cry and looked up to see a gorgeous
hawk, the sun lighting up the intricate patterns on his wings and his
red tail feathers glowed. He circled very low over us a couple
of times. We heard another cry and a second hawk joined him,
then a third. For an amazing ten minutes or so we marveled as
they floated over us forming a perfect band, circling higher and
higher and calling to each other. One of the last things I heard
Doug say was, "God is so good". Indeed, He is.
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My name
is Cassidy Abrahamson and I'm 10 years old. When I was 5 years
old I
moved next door to Doug Ware and we became friends. One of my
favorite
memories was when Doug invited me to see the movie "Winged
Migration"
with his girls and Steven. He bought me lots of candy and
the
movie was great! We both love animals. For the past year and a
half,
Doug used to say "I might die today or I may die tomorrow but I'm
okay
with that." It made me feel sad that my friend was going to die
but I'm
glad he didn't have to suffer. I miss him a lot.
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I have been blessed having known Doug and
his family for 42 years. Doug's strength and courage was inherited
from his wonderful parents. His love of God was also a direct
reflection of Doug and Eva. I thank God everyday for reuniting me
with this wonderful family and giving me the opportunity to spend
some time last December with Doug. We love you.
- Bill and Sue
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