John Royce Agner

Today, April 20th, would have been dad's 88th "earthly" birthday. In church, this past Sunday, we sang, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing," which I can never sing without the fond memory of how we sang it at his "homegoing" service in Ft. Lauderdale. To God be the Glory!

September 6, 2008 was a day of reflection. It was the 5th anniversary of daddy's Birthday to Eternal Life and also the day of the Homegoing for my dear friend, Brad Aerts who (on Sept. 1st) lost a 2- year battle to cancer. On the 6th, I thought about Brad and daddy all day and wondered what they were doing up in Heaven. I will continue to miss two very great men~ To God be the Glory!

This past Sunday, April 20th, would have been dad's 86th "earthly" birthday. One of the congregational hymns at FPC on Sunday was "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee." I can never sing it without thinking of daddy and his homegoing.

I'm remembering daddy today on the third anniversary of his "Birthday to Eternal Life." I have offered up the prayer of One Departed from The Book of Common Prayer:
Almighty God, we remember this day before thee thy faithful servant, Royce, and we pray thee that, having opened to him the gates of larger life,thou wilt receive him more and more into thy joyful service; that he may win, with thee and thy servants everywhere,
the eternal victory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Few days go by that I don't think of daddy, but I always think of him on April 20, his "earthly" birthday. Missed but not forgotten.

Today, Sept. 6, 2005, is the second anniversary of daddy's "Birthday to Eternity." I'm thinking of him today and of his recent reunion with his little brother, Drexel, who passed away on 7-31-05. May the brothers abound in their "glad reunion!"

I thought about Daddy all day today. He was "big" on birthdays, not necessarily his own but those of his children and grandchildren. Happy birthday in Heaven! PS tell the Pope hello!

On this April 20, 2005, I'm thinking about daddy and all the wonderful birthday celebrations we shared. In particular, the April 20, 2002, 80th Birthday! It gives me great comfort in knowing that, though dad doesn't celebrate earthly birthdays anymore, he celebrates something much more grand -- eternal life with his heavenly father! Miss you daddy, Love, Nancy

Being his daughter, Royce Agner, to me, was the greatest man that ever lived. Daddy loved the scriptures and read them daily. Job 19:26 gives me an understanding of how death is but a waiting period and how we all through Christ can overcome death. I love you Daddy and thank you for the abundant and unconditional love you gave to me. Carolyn Agner Quffa