Funeral Homily for Pat Evans - The Rev. Colette Hammesfahr

 

In our Gospel today, Jesus tells his disciples, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” When Jesus said this, he was getting ready to leave his friends. He knew his death on the cross was coming. It’s not easy to say goodbye to friends. Jesus was trying to comfort the people he was leaving behind.

As I was thinking this week about Pat’s life, and how these verses reflected who he was, I was drawn to the phrase, “many dwelling places.” When we think about God and the kingdom of God, we talk about God’s kingdom “here, but not yet” meaning that we are all actively partaking in the kingdom of God here and now, but we have not yet seen its full glory.

On Wednesday I was talking to Pat’s good friend, Jim Holland. Jim said, “there are three things that were important to Pat – his religion, his profession, and his family.” Three “dwelling places” where Pat chose to nurture God’s kingdom in the “here, but not yet”  -- his religion, his profession, and his family.

When I met with Pat’s family this week, they gave me a document titled, “Autobiographical Facts: James Patrick Evans.” At the top of the first page Pat wrote, “Mainly to give me some much-needed typing practice, I have decided to put down in writing some of my autobiographical background. It might be of some interest to my children or grandchildren someday, but I doubt it.”

Four of the eight pages of autobiographical facts were about Pat’s ancestry – the history of his parents, his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. All of this because family was important to Pat and he wanted his immediate family to know everything they could about their family.

Family was important to Pat. Every summer, he would plan a family vacation…he, Clara, and five children piling into the family station wagon, driving to places like the World’s Fair, Washington, D.C., and one summer, they even visited a Dude Ranch all the way out in Texas. Ever the planner, Pat did nothing on the spur of the moment, so every minor detail of the trips were planned, even down to their advanced reservations at the Ramada Inns along the route.   

In the Evans house, dinner was served promptly at 6:00 pm and if you were smart, you’d be home, sitting at the table on time. It didn’t matter what you did before 6:00 or what you did after 6:00 – 6:00 was family time, at the table. I guess that’s why Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday --  because that’s when the family was all together.

He raised his children to appreciate what they had, even the old Plymouth Duster the older children had to share. The Plymouth Duster with no air conditioning. And he didn’t spoil them with “things.” Unless you count the time, he bought all five of his children each their own rake.

Pat’s profession was in caring for others and building relationships. Pat’s life was dedicated to caring for children. As a pediatrician, he built his career here in Savannah, providing care to thousands of children. He also cared for those less fortunate than him. His children remember one night, when the temperature was down in the teens, Pat and Clara cleaned out all the coats in their closets, got in the car and headed to the homeless tent encampment that was under the President Street bridge. He got out of the car and gave them their coats. After retiring he spent time delivering Meals on Wheels.

When it came to building relationships, it was often around fishing – the act of fishing...not necessarily catching any fish; because from what I heard, Pat was a horrible fisherman. A better comedian than fisherman, Pat was known for telling a good joke. He carried a list of jokes in his wallet, where he had the first line and the punch line written down as a cheat sheet so he would always have a way to make a group laugh. He cherished his time with the 1-2-3 Club. This was a group of men who would get together every Wednesday at 12:30 (1-2-3) to have lunch and talk about politics and sports.

Pat loved his Georgia Bulldogs. I think all of his children and grandchildren have a story to tell about Pat and the Dogs. A season ticket holder until he was in his 70’s, a win wasn’t enough for Pat. He always wanted the coaches to run up the score. He was such a fan that after one of their losses, Pat swore he had jinxed the team, and he never wore black and red on game day again. He always wore neutral colors.  

His profession and his relationships were important to Pat.   

Pat’s faith was his foundation in life. He served as an acolyte from the time he was a young boy. He served on committees at all levels of the Episcopal Diocese, and he raised his family in the church. Years ago, when he was a member of Holy Apostle’s, Bishop Shipp’s would often say to him, “Pat, I need you to…” and Pat would reply, “Ok” with no questions asked.

I had the honor and privilege of visiting Pat several times over the past few weeks and every time I would visit, he was eager to have communion. I would hand him the communion pamphlet and he would read the prayers and responses along with all who were in the room with us. Last week, when I visited, Pat was sleeping more than talking and he was not able to hold the pamphlet as we were partaking in communion. But, when it came time for the Confession and the Lord’s Prayer, Pat, with his eyes closed, recited those words as if he were reading off the pamphlet.

His faith was important to Pat.

“In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” We live in God’s kingdom “here, but not yet.” Pat Evans was an active participant in the kingdom of God here and now through his commitment to family, his caring for others, and in his relationship with God.

As much as Jesus tried to prepare his disciples for his coming death, it was not easy for them. It is not easy for family and friends who have been left behind. We can rest easy today because our joy comes in knowing that today Pat is partaking in the full glory of God’s feast promised to him.

Amen