Angie,
 
I really enjoyed seeing you and your family again.  Give your mom a hug for me.
 
Feel free to share this with anyone you like. I shared it with about 100 folks in my email list.
 
Love Gene
 
 
 
                                                                                                            Part 50 
Friends and Family,                                                                            8 June, 2010 
One of life’s unpleasant responsibilities is attending funerals. 
When I was a young man starting married life and the rearing of children, I was fortunate to have a cadre of good men that showed me how.  One of those mentors was Uncle Jim Messer.  So, when he passed there was no question I would pay my respects one last time. 
I utilized the drive to Oklahoma City to formulate a cogent series of thoughts and reasons why Uncle Jim was important to me.  I wondered if I would get the chance to share my private list with someone. 
Uncle Jim had always greeted me, and everyone else for that matter, with a bear hug and a large smile.  I also watched Uncle Jim interact with his children, and I knew how important they were to him.  His son-in-law rose and spoke on those very subjects - a few times with a quavering voice and manly tears. 
Uncle Jim had always displayed his deep adoration and respect for his wife.  He was never averse to letting you know her importance in his life.  His daughters rose and read a poem he had written for Aunt Judy for their 37th anniversary that was warm, dear and intimate. 
Uncle Jim and I had worked together several times remodeling our church, and he had employed me for almost a month.  He showed me that ranting, raving, and swearing when hitting your hand with a hammer, literally or figuratively, is counterproductive, a waste of energy, and costs esteem.  His sons rose and talked about the pride they felt having worked with their dad and learning his trade. 
Uncle Jim was a man of faith, an ordained minister, and an avid song writer.  His songs revealed a simple, sincere, and abiding relationship with his creator.  He was also prone to break into song for almost any reason, good or bad.  His grandson rose with a certain amount of anxiety with a paper clutched in his hand.  He mounted the dais, took one look at the packed funeral chapel and bored his eyes into the paper for the remainder of his time.  He was supposed to read the poem/song, but elected to sing it instead.   From my perspective I could see him listening to his grandpa and imitating him.  His rhythm was Uncle Jim, and his weighting of words and phrases was Uncle Jim.  It was very moving. 
It was as if someone had read my mind.  My personal list had been discussed more poignantly than I could have done.  He did indeed leave quite a legacy. 
The Reverend Jimmy Jerry Messer will no longer deliver his songs, sermons and messages from the pulpit, but it is reassuring to know that his lessons still continue. 
That’s my nickle 
Gene Brown

This is a letter received from from Irene Davis and I wanted to include it with the other wonderful, thoughtful entries on Dad's Guest Book.




To: Judy Messer and family and Next Level

Thinking of what I would say if I had of had the privilege of attending Jim's memorial or funeral service I decided to write from my heart.

Many years ago I had the privilege of meeting Jim and Judy and many of you.  I don't rightly remember if I first met Jim when a group came to Mexico years ago to visit the mission work I was engageing in or if I first met him at Love of God on SE 15th in Oklahoma City.  I know it has been many years, the kids are grown and we have grown older.

In my mind Jim will be remembered as a hard worker even when in pain.  Through suffering he learned patience and his love for the Lord never waned.  Even when he watched his darling wife go through her trials he was faithful.

He was a good husband, father, pastor and friend and will be sworely missed by many people but we would not wish him back to suffer.  I can see him pain free, dancing with the Lord jumping up and down and rejoicing with his Savior for all eternity and waiting for us to join him.

His heart was in missions as well and he was a great blessing to the work here as he led the church he pastored to pray and support missions.  Thank you Jim for a life well lived.  Someday we will join you and all the others who have gone before.  Scoot over as we will want to sit by Jesus also.

My heart goes out to you Judy and your children and the church.  My prayer is that God will lead you now in each step you take.  He surely has a plan for your lives as you are still here.  Jim did well so got to go home early.  We have to stay after school until we finish.

With sincere love, heartfelt sympathy and prayers.

Irene Davis

I am gonna miss u so much Uncle Jim. I know that u wasnt my real uncle but that's what I called u my whole life. I looked up to u and Aunt Judy for so many reasons. Most of all for your dedication and love to Our Lord Jesus Christ. You always had so much faith in God that he would take care of any situation that arised and you was always so happy and had a smile on your face. I'm gonna miss your warm welcome when I come into your church but I do know that your loving wife Judy will do the same as she always did. No matter how long we would not be in church you still always welcomed us back with no judgement. The other thing that has always stuck in my mind is the love between you and Judy.....It is AMAZING! I so want to grow old with my husband and always feel the same way I did when i first met him like the way you two always did. I will never forget the way that u and Aunt Judy always matched your clothes every service in church. I always thought that was really neat.  Anyway, I know that you are walking the streets of heaven with all your loved ones and I'm sure it is amazing. I find peace in knowing that u are no longer suffering and u have a new body! We may seem a little selfish here on earth but I just think that we wasnt ready to let u go just yet. You touched so many lives more than you will ever know and I love you so very much and u will always be Uncle Jim to me. I pray for Judy and all the kids everyday and i love them all so much.      Tami Johnston (Sawatzky)

It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of Next Level Worship Center, and to have Pastor Jim Messer as pastor. And now Pastor Judy Messer as our Pastor.  
We remember the first Sunday we went to church there, about 9 years ago. Pastor Jim had never seen us before that day, but he gave a message from God to Chuck that day. He read his mail, for sure. Can't remember the exact words now, but they were right on target, and thanks to Steve, Chuck started playing the drums that night. We love you, Pastor Jim, and will see you soon. WELL, GLORY!!!

I dont know what to say. I am at a loss for words. I love Mr. Messer very very much. I love the whole family actually, well we are family.
I love you Jim.

Uncle Jim was a wonderful man so honored to have him as a Uncle I couldn't have asked for a better one. I will miss him very much.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

My Uncle Jim, you weren't only my uncle you were a second dad. If my dad was gone over seas or out of state he was always there for our family.I will miss your smile and your hugs. See you soon give Memaw a big hug for me.

Hey Dad, Everyone keeps telling me you are in a better place and although I don't doubt that for a minute I still wish you were here.  That sounds selfish, I know.  I'm going to miss you terribly but I want you to know that Mom is taken care of.  You would be proud of us kids and how we stepped up to help Mom thru this difficult time.  We can't wait to see you again.  Save a place for me, please.  I love you so much.  {{hugs}} and Kisses.  Love your daughter, Kim

Know you all are in my thought and prayers, as you travel the very difficult road,  Pat Melton

I give credit to uncle Jim, aunt Judy, and God for my salvation.  They are both such awesome christians and have always prayed for all of us.  The whole family has suffered a great loss.  I know that he would desire that everyone give their hearts and lives to the lord so that we can all see him again some day in the streets of glory.  I will never forget the example he set of living for the lord, his ability to lead & sing praise and worship at church, and the many worship songs that he wrote.  Thank you uncle Jim for being a great example to all of us.

Uncle Jim I was happy to call you my great uncle cause you were just that.  A wonderful, respected, pastor-family member- and friend who touched the lives of many. Our thoughts and prayers go to you Judy and the rest of the family.

Few will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. There is no doubt in our minds that Jim is one of these few. 
You will know them by their deeds.    We have witnessed this man for many years practice and live what he preached. The Lord has said that some that go to heaven will have great rewards and others will have few. We love and miss Jim, but we should not grieve for him. Because we know he has gone to a glorious place where his rewards will be great. If we can live up to his example, we shall soon be there with him. Our love & sympathy to Judy and family.

I will always know you as Granpa Jimmy. I have always looked at you as my own Grandpa. I Love you so much. You have touched So many lives & will Never be forgotten. Thank You for All that you have done, Thank You for Always being there, Thank You for Being You. ~Love Amy DeAngelis & Family

Pastor Jim I love you so much I thought of you as a grandpa. You mean the world to me. I will miss you it will take me so long to get over you being gone. You are the best.

Well cousin....I sure hate to see you go.  However, I know that you are in a much better place now.  Keep a watch out for me, for one day we shall meet again!  Thanks for the memories I have of the times we have shared.

Jim was a awesome man of God he will be deeply missed by many. His love for the Lord showed and i remember we were at his old church bulding and he stopped everything and prayed over us thank you Jim for showing the love of God to many and loving people as Jesus does we will miss you! Praying for you Mrs. Judy and family 
Love and God bless
Thompson Family

Pastor Jim was truly a man of God, not only in his words, but in his actions as well. A true example of Christian love. He had such a love for the people especially for the youth. He was so gracious in allowing us to perform our outrageous skits and such a good sport when asked to participate in them. He is loved so very much.

Sorry about your loss..I will keep you in my prayers.

Shela (Messer) Bullock
Troy H. Messer ex wife

Pastor Jim was truly a man of God, not only in his word, but, also in his actions. A true example of Christian love. He had such a love for the people, especially the youth. He was so gracious to allow us to do our outrageous skits, and a good sport when asked to participate in them. He is dearly loved.

You are going to be greatly missed, Uncle Jim. Your smile was contagious and you always had a nice word to brighten someone's day. I'm going to miss that smile and those words, but will always have the memories.

Jimmy 
You will be missed by all those who have known and loved you. Are prayers are with Judy and the children.

I was saddened to see that Jim had passed away. He was a man of hard work and integrity. He will be missed!

OBITUARY

Jimmy Jerry Messer

February 24, 1941 – May 25, 2010

Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home At Sunny Lane Cemetery

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