ORVILLE LUTHER SHICK

Orville Luther Shick Pastor Emeritus, Community Presbyterian Church, Danville, CA December 21, 1915 ~ March 20, 2012 Orville L. Shick went home to be with his Lord and Savior on March 20, 2012. He is reunited with his beloved wife of 66 years, Esther Cederborg Shick, who preceded him in death in 2008. Orville was born at home in Graterford, PA the youngest of Edgar and Ida Brunner Shick's five children. He was raised in Allentown, PA where he graduated from high school at 16 years of age, while also working several jobs to help support the family. At age 18 he came to know Christ as his personal Savior on July 29, 1934 through the ministry of Percy Crawford and from that time, he used John 1:12 as scripture to lead his life. Called by God to the ministry of the Gospel, Orville enrolled at Moody Bible Institute and later transferred to Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. This is where he met Esther May Cederborg and they were married in 1942 at the Swedish Mission Covenant Church in Oakland, CA. Following graduation from Wheaton College, Orville enrolled at Dallas Theological Seminary at the age of 26. While at seminary he was also pastor of a small church in Pantego, TX and collaborated with Jim Rayburn and other seminarians who gave birth to the great Christian youth movement, Young Life. In 1944, after earning his Masters of Theology (Th.M.), Orville attended Chaplin School at Harvard University and was assigned to the 3rd Army led by George S. Patton. He worked with local churches in the post war reconstruction of Germany. Following WW II, Orville was called to be the Pastor of an independent church in Pomona, CA. He was recalled to Germany as an Army Chaplin in 1951, during the Korean War. After his army service concluded, Orville and his growing family resided in Hancock, MD and Portsmouth, VA where he led several Presbyterian churches. The yearning of Orville and Esther to return to California resulted in the call to Community Presbyterian Church (CPC) of Danville, CA, in 1961, where he served faithfully with vision, grace and humor until his retirement in 1985. During his 24 year tenure CPC launched the San Ramon Valley Christian Academy, CPC Counseling Center, small group ministry, mission outreach, and enhanced Junior and Senior High youth programs - all of which are still bearing fruit today. Retirement provided the opportunity to travel the world leading 30 group tours, including six to the Holy Land, and cherished time visiting children and grandchildren. During retirement, Orville also served as interim pastor at 1st Presbyterian Church in Concord and sabbatical relief at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church, while continuing to be available and active at CPC as Pastor Emeritus. Orville's greatest legacy is not in buildings or even outreach programs, but in his relationships with people, who were brought into a saving relationship with Jesus, encouraged to grow in their faith and use their gifts to serve Christ's church. He has been a beloved pastor, friend, counselor, encourager and affirmer to hundreds over the years. "Well done good and faithful servant"- Matthew 25:21. Orville is survived by his four children Kenneth, David, Jonathan and Karen. He was a loving father-in-law to Margaret Ann Shick, Kathryn Shick and John Sutton and adored grandfather to Cici, Melissa, Ben, Adam, Sarah, Johnny, David and Matthew and great-granddaughter, Grace Esther. Friends, family and the CPC congregation are invited to a Celebration of Orville Shick's 96 years of earthly life on Monday, April 23rd at 4:00 PM, at Community Presbyterian Church, 222 W. El Pintado Rd. Danville, CA 94526. Memorial gifts should be sent to CPC/ Orville Shick Memorial Fund, % of Myra Samson, at the above address.