Buford Tackett: Sept 2, 1912 – Dec 30, 2007
Posted on January 3, 2008
Filed Under Personal |
“For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep…” Acts 13:36
My Dad’s struggle in this life came to an end Sunday morning. A series of strokes over the last two years had increasingly taken away more and more of his physical abilities, though his mental alertness remained strong. The last several weeks were very difficult for him, with a final set of strokes that confined him to his bed, stilled his voice and destroyed his ability to swallow. The last four days of his life were spent in a deep sleep with an increasingly peaceful and radiant countenance. Though his body was shutting down, and we didn’t know if he were able to hear or understand us, his face was reflecting the internal confidence and knowledge that he was drawing near to the moment when Jesus was going to rescue him from this body of death.
On December 25th, however, the Lord granted us a wonderful Christmas present. Our family gathered in his room to say goodbye and Dad was very alert. Though he could not talk, he would occasionally mouth a few words that ended up being his last communications to us. We attempted to sing several Christmas hymns for him, though they were often broken by sobs and throats that closed up on us. Silent Night was more silent than sung.
I pulled out my cell phone and called all of the family members that were scattered elsewhere. I set the speaker mode on and held it up to Dad’s ear as each family would pass the phone around on their end. We could all hear it:
“Hi, Grandpa! This is Tanner. Merry Christmas! I love you.”
“Merry Christmas, Dad. This is Phyllis. We all love you very much.”
When I called my daughter, she handed the phone first to Judah, then to Micaiah, and finally to little Kate, our two-year-old grand-daughter. We could all hear her soft, sweet little voice:
“Hi, Grandpa. This is Kate. Merry Christmas.”
Dad’s eyes brightened up and there was a twitch of a smile in his partially paralyzed face. Then we saw him desperately try to say “Merry Christmas” to her. Nothing came out and I could see the disappointment on his face, followed by th
e quick acceptance of his lot and a peaceful sigh of joy at her voice.
After our Christmas celebration was over, each of us took turns kneeling beside Dad’s bed, expressing to him our love. It would turn out to be our final good-byes. He soon fell asleep and never really woke up until he did so early Sunday morning when he awoke and arose and departed with his Lord and Savior.
There were several times over the last two years when my Dad would softly complain “Why hasn’t Jesus taken me home?” In those times, I would read to him Acts 13:36 and say, “Dad, apparently God still has a purpose for you to serve in your generation.” He would smile and nod his head.
He completed that service on December 30.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
I love you, Dad.
See you soon.
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35 Responses to “Buford Tackett: Sept 2, 1912 – Dec 30, 2007”
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Dr. Del Tackett is president of the Focus on the Family Institute and Senior Vice President to Focus on the Family. He is also the architect and chief spokesperson for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project--a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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Dr. Tackett
I know you don’t know who I am but you have become part of our family. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
My heart is broken for you over your loss yet rejoice with you in the confidence that you will see your father again.
Please know that you and your family are in our prayers.
We love you.
So sorry to hear this. Your dad sounded like a wonderful man and I mourn with you.
I am sorry to hear that your father has died! I am glad that you had the opportunity to share with him before he went to heaven.I will be praying for you and your family!
Del, I’m sorry to hear of your loss, but am so glad that your dad is sitting and holding onto Jesus in Heaven. I thank your dad that he provided such a wonderful example of training and love in you and that you’ve now passed that, not only to your own family, but thousands of people across the country. You are a testament to your dad’s good work, given to him by our God!
Dear Del,
On behalf of all those who have participated in The Truth Project we extend our sympathy for the loss of your father. We will always remember him through the stories you have told us about him during our tours together. Thank you for sharing with us your father’s life, his heart, and the things he knew were true. His sphere of influence spreads far and wide beyond you, beyond his family, and will continue even beyond his generation. We are thankful to God for his life and to you for sharing some of that life with us. May God comfort you in the days to come as you process and complete your loss. Be assured that our prayers are with you. We look forward to meeting him on that great day when all are reconciled to God.
Dan
Oh, Dr. Tackett, I am so very sorry to hear this. It is heartbreaking to watch illness and disease ravage those we love and I know you are grateful that your Dad will no longer struggle with these. I know you will miss him terribly. It was so very evident what a special man he was by your descriptions of him in The Truth Project. Thank God for godly parents!!
You and your family will be in my prayers in the days and weeks ahead as you learn to live with this loss!
May the God of all comforts be your strength!
Dr Tackett, I was sorry to hear about your father…I myself am going through the same with my father at this very moment….Please be comforted by the picture of Jesus holding your father high, and bringing him next to his side. While your pain will eventually fade. Take heart that an eternity of praising our God is at hand for your father, and yes you will see him soon…Until then be strong, and as you look back to the memories of your father, look back with joy and profound thanks for a great man that help mold, and set your moral compass……Here is to your father, and a great ministry…..
As Paul said in Phil 3:1, “…to say the same things again is no trouble for me, and is a safeguard for you.”
You know it, but it is good to continually restate the promise. It’s not “Goodbye,” rather, it’s “I’ll see you later.”
The Great Reunion is one of the things that takes the sting out of physical death. With you, we all miss those who have gone before. For myself, I look forward to finally meeting my mother. She passed when I was an infant.
In the meantime, we live our lives to honor the memory of them, and their impact on us.
May the comfort of the Holy Spirit be with you and your family.
Dear Dr. Tackett,
With tears streaming down my cheeks, I read of
your father’s homegoing. What a testimony he
left behind for you, as his son, as well as
extended family members. May we all strive
to please the Lord as he did and to one day hear “well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
A Sister in Christ
Dear Del,
My heartfelt condolences on your loss, but high praise on your fathers homegoing! My wife and I have been teaching the Truth Project for over a year and a half now, so we have seen the segments on your father a number of times. He was quite a man. I look forward to the day that I can meet him in heaven.
Sola Deo Gloria!
Kevin
When you first ‘blogged’ about the strokes your dad was experiencing, my heart hurt for you. I knew to pray as I knew others were praying for me as I was walking through my mom’s battle with lung cancer. As strong as we are in our faith, there are times when we need others to stand in the gap. When it came to my mom, there were times I was just too weary to pray, wasn’t sure how to pray, and I would question the grief that was hitting even though I knew that she would soon be with her Lord and Savior. Seeing clearly is difficult when you’re “in it”.
On November 29th my mom received her perfect healing. Out of our arms and into His. I thought all that “pre-grieving” I did would lessen the grief I am experiencing now. Perhaps it is, (that’s kind of a scarey thought), but I am finding this is a new season if you will. We still grieve, but we grieve with hope. Praise God for that and as seasons go, this will change. The waves will be further apart and happy memories will overtake. I am grateful for her 62 years on this planet and more than that that she came into a relationship with the Lord.
All of this to say, I am praying for the season your family is going through. I am so sorry for your loss.I keep thinking about the brevity of this life and how we are but a vapor. Something tells me you had a beautiful and amazing father. May the sweet memories overtake and may our beautiful and amazing Heavenly Father cradle you and yours in His hands, while your dad snuggles into His arms right up next to His heart perfect and whole.
Dear Del,
My heart breaks for your loss. I, too, lost someone very close to me due to degenerating health and a debilitating stroke. I know how hard that can be to face.
I am encouraged by your faithfulness to share with us, your online family, the ups and downs of your Dad’s health issues.
May God comfort and keep you and your family during this time.
Del,
Words just won’t express,
Tears can’t reconcile,
I’m sure he’s gone to meet,
the VICTOR of this trial.
God Bless You and your family,
My prayers are for you today!
Sincerely,
Tom S
From your text:
“There were several times over the last two years when my Dad would softly complain ‘Why hasn’t Jesus taken me home?’ In those times, I would read to him Acts 13:36 and say, ‘Dad, apparently God still has a purpose for you to serve in your generation.’ He would smile and nod his head.”
Del,
The positive spiritual impact that your father has had on me (and likely all who have read this blog) has been an incredible and indescribable blessing. This “purpose” is but one of many that the Lord has given us through your Dad.
My condolences to you and your family. I’ll look forward to meeting your Dad someday soon in the “New Jerusalem”.
Dan…
My condolences to you and your loved ones. On top of the pain of losing someone, it is amazing the way Christians look at death. He really did serve God’s purpose here on earth. Even though he died, yet he lives. Thank you God for the resurrection!
My heart is broken for you and yet I also rejoice with you in the confidence that you will see your father again.
Please know that you and your family are in my prayers.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Amie
Dear Dr. Tackett,
As I read your post about your father’s passing, tears came to my eyes. It brought back the memory of my own mother’s death. What comfort we have though, knowing where our loved ones are; in the arms of our Heavenly Father. Although there is an overwhelming sadness at the loss of being able to physically see and feel your dad, isn’t it wonderful to really know you will see him again?
May the Lord comfort you and your family during this difficult time.
Debbie
Dear Del
I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I truly understand the conflicting emotions you feel as my mother went home to be with the Lord on the morning of the 23rd.
We have experienced great uplifting by the prayers and support of the body of Christ during our time of grief as I am sure you are experiencing the same. One of the dear friends at church gave us a quote from the book “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn - “Christians faced with terminal illness or imminent death often feel they’re leaving the party before it’s over. They have to go home early. They’re disappointed, thinking of all they’ll miss when they leave. But the truth is, the real party is underway at home - precisely where they are going. They’re not the ones missing the party; those of us left behind are.”
We miss mom, but also rejoice in the knowledge of her being at “the party” and praising the Lord with your dad and my dad.
She was so ready to go and was a servant to the end. She was able to be at home with us and to see most of the grand kids. We do our Christmas celebration on Christmas eve and she said on the morning of the 22nd that she wanted to go home before Christmas so as not to ruin our time by having to care for her during that time. She passed into the arms of the Lord at 5am on the 23rd.
Great is His faithfulness and greatly to be praised.
Thank you for the blessings of your ministry and your commitment and passion for the gospel truths.
Love in Christ
Don G Moore
My heart is grieving for you and your family. Your dad was a great example for all of us. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Aggie
Thank you for sharing this.
Del — I’ve met your dad at LH, and he was a sweet man and obviously a great Dad. My mom-in-law (Mary) departed from there about a month ago. Maybe they will say hello in heaven. Sending my condolences and prayers.
Bill
When 19, I watched as my mother was freed from her time here. How much closer and more intimate is heaven…. May you generously have the comfort and peace and strength that only the Father can offer. I pray it will be so.
My heart hurts for your loss and rejoices in that your father now has true peace and fellowship. The loss of someone so pivotal in your life is difficult, I know, but I thank you for your openess and strength. Your father’s faith, which lives on through you, is an inspiration. Thank you for sharing this with us and my prayers are with you and your family.
Del,
What a gift you were given in having a man like your father! I keep thinking of the sock hop example from The Truth Project. He had an amazing heart! How lucky he is to be in heaven with our Father. “To live is Christ, to die is gain.”
My prayers are with you! Keep up the good fight!
Keely
Dear Dr. Tackett,
I’m crying as I just read your post for the first time now. I remember how you often talked of your father to us in class, and how much his life meant to you. It is wonderful to know that He is in the presence of the Lord now, yet heartbreaking that you’ll miss him for a while. Your faith and peace is of great encouragement to all of us, just as your dad’s was to you. Thank you for sharing this. Love you and miss you very much! You and your family are in our prayers.
Del;
We are praying for you, as we know the peace of our Lord will strenghen you and yours.
Thank you for sharing your life.
Dear Dr. Tackett,
My heart goes out to you and your family with the passing of your Dad. I lost my father almost 11 years ago and it is surely a difficult time. Your family was blessed to have the chance to say good-bye.
Bless you for undertaking The Truth Project (currently involved in the course). It will surely live on long after all of us are gone from this world.
Richard
Del,
I am sorry for being so late in reading such an important posting. I have been in/out of pocket due to health issues.
I grieve for this earth’s loss, but I am ecstatic for Heaven’s gain in this one. They have outdone themselves in adding your Dad to the Heavenly choir. I wish we could audibly hear the rejoicing that takes place when a faithful saint makes it home safely. The Lord heard your Dad’s desires and made it happen. I am a bit jealous, I must say. I would love to be there with him and my Dad and so many others that I miss.
If your family needs anything during this time, please count on me and your readers.
I have always been told, “the greater the trials, the greater the calling.” Considering what you have faced and the evidence of what we’ve seen, you have a huge calling on your life, Del, and you’re walking it out faithfully.
God bless you and your family, Dr. Tackett.
Del- I am sorry for being delayed in reading this. We just made a big move south.
I am saddened to hear about your father passing away, but what rejoicing that he is standing in the presence of our Lord! What a legacy he left for your family and I loved reading about it on here. Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us on your blog.
Rebecca
FFI summer 2004
Del,
Thank you for visiting with us here in Vero Beach. It meant so much that you would come especially when your heart must have still been tender. And Del, thank you again for sharing the beauty and wonder of El Qanna with me (us).
For Him!
Mike Waters
Dear brother Del:
Now we know as we have just read your blog about your Dad’s celebration event.
We rejoice with you and and know that your DAD has passed on a true spiritual legacy in his son, B. Del Tackett.
We love to hear the stories of fathers, love, devotion and heritage.
Our prayers are with you and for you.
Proverbs 17:6
Love from far away Berlin (hope to see you soon)
Norm and Sue
I am sorry to hear of your Father’s passing but glad to know he is now in the presence of his Lord. Will keep you and your family in prayer- may the many years of memories bring you comfort. Thank you for sharing your life and the special type of man your Father was. A champion of the underdog! (I didn’t have a relationship with my father- so I especially thank you for sharing yours with me)
Doctor Taggett,
I am the father of Jessica Hale FFI grad from Maine. My wife and I were Truth Project attendees at Boston. I read about your Dad this morning and a rush of emotions filled my heart as I recalled my own Dad’s homegoing. May God bless you over the next stage of life as memories of your Dad arise from time to time at places or circumstances which bring his face to the fore.
May you continue your ministry with renewed vigor and strength. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
In Christ,
Tom Hale
Del,
I was so blessed by your words. I lost my Dad several years ago on the 26th of December. My wife and I were spending Christmas with her family in Rochester, NY. My Dad had been in a downward spiral but when we left from our home in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio I had no idea. I know it hurts now - Even knowing he is with our Lord & Savior - but you had such a gift! I’m sure your earthly Father was truly comforted knowing you were there! Your Father in heaven has now provided him with a perfect body and he’s in worship with the creator of all!
God bless you, your family, and your ministry