Rick Haworth's Funeral Service

Greet attendees

Acknowledge the purpose: honoring the life and mourning Frederick Qaule Haworth.

Prayer

Ask for peace, comfort, and guidance.

3. Preface

Bare with me as I try to honor my Dad’s request to officiate his funeral. Thank you all for your patience.

3. Scripture Reading

I wanted to start this by sharing what the Lord put on my heart and mind the day before my Dad passed away. Philippians 4

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be made known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are pleasing, whatever things are commendable, if there is any excellence of character and if anything praiseworthy, think about these things. 9 And the things which you have learned and received and heard about and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

4. Music

Well in order to faithfully communicate a proper eulogy for Rick Haworth. We need to start with a song. As you should know music was an intrical part of his life. I tried to choose one that embodied the emphasis that he had on life. From one of his favorite artists Todd Agnew.

Unchanging One - Todd Agnew

5. Eulogy

Frederick Quale “Rick” Haworth was born in 1965 in Billings, Montana, to Henry Huntsman Haworth and Marcia Quale Haworth. He was one of five children in the family. When he was five years old, they moved here— Thermopolis, Wyoming. This is the place he wanted to be buried. And looking around, it’s not hard to see why.

From the stories I’ve heard—and there are many—my dad had a bit of a mischievous streak growing up in the little town of Thermop (Smile.) He was spirited, bold, and perhaps just a little stubborn. But I think those qualities also carried him far.

His first big move came when he relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, where he pursued a degree in Radio and Television Broadcasting at ITT Technical Institute. That then launched him into a career in broadcasting, beginning in Syracuse, New York. He worked with several news and radio stations before eventually founding his own company: Haworth Productions.

He later moved back to Wyoming with his family and took a position at KTRZ in Riverton in the early 2000s. But Rick’s talents and interests went beyond radio. He had a lifelong passion for cooking. That passion gave birth to the Wyoming Smokehouse, a restaurant that quickly became a staple in the Riverton community. Even now, I still hear people tell me how much they miss the food—and honestly, so do I. (David, . Wink, wink.)

But to truly understand my dad, you have to go back to the single defining moment in his life—Syracuse, 1987. It was there that he was introduced to someone who completely changed the course of his life. Someone that was vastly different then the religious local church had spoken of as he grew up. A personal and intimate man named Jesus Christ.

That moment changed everything.

He entered into the covenant of grace offered through the cross of Christ. A new creation had begun. For the next 37 years, Rick dedicated himself to the work of the Gospel and the service of Christ’s body—the Church.

This passion shaped every aspect of his life. His broadcasting career shifted toward Christian radio and news. His restaurant became a place of discipleship—where he mentored and taught, even as he served up ribs and brisket. He ministered in every city he lived in—discipling men in New York, pioneering an online Christian radio station in Wyoming, teaching, preaching, pastoring and eventually as a missionary. You could say his heart for missions grew strong. He made several trips to Israel, spent a year serving in Central America, and more recently preached across Africa.

His dreams were big. But the Jesus he met 37 years ago was bigger than all his aspirations. And the God who called him was and is faithful. Even though my dad is not with us. The impact for the gospel has not ceased.

As Scripture says in 1 Corinthians 3:7: “So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.”

As I bring this to a close, I want to share part of his tribute.

“Undoubtedly his faith shaped the way he loved, served, and lived. I don’t know how each of you knew my dad—but I’m so glad you did. Maybe you remember his contagious smile, or the way his laugh could fill a room. I hope you hold on to those memories. May you reflect on the good and please forgive his shortcomings. He was truly sorry. My time with him led me to understand that although he failed to verbalize or express how he felt. He was filled with God's love for all of you.” From his closest friend to the complete stranger.

6. Family Tributes

Now if family or closes friends could please come up and share what they have prepared.

David

Uncle Paul

Whoever has anything they want to share.

7. Scripture Reading

Thank you all for sharing. My Dad’s life verse was Proverbs 3:5-8

The New King James Version Chapter 3

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the LORD and depart from evil.

8 It will be health to your flesh,

And strength to your bones.

8. Song

God Undefeatable - Todd Agnew

9. Message

Hope. This one word has come to mean more to me in the past month than perhaps at any other point in my life. On the surface, that might seem strange. How can someone speak of hope while watching cancer slowly consume their father? It’s difficult—maybe impossible—to put into words. Hope is something you experience. And any attempt to articulate someone’s individual experience is a pale endeavor.

But the most important thing my dad taught me was how and why I can have this hope. I’ve been holding onto what feels like my loss—but truly, it’s his gain. Every single person here carries their own story, their own road they’ve walked. None of us can fully grasp what another has felt. It is intimately personal. Our lives are shaped by different experiences. Yet in all that difference, we’re united by something greater: love.

The Bible tells us we were made in the image of God. And that image—whether you realize it or not—is in everyone listening today. You may have heard the phrase, God is love. That’s not just a comforting saying—it’s a reflection of His character and what He has placed in us as his creation. But we also know something went wrong. And as we have gathered here for the memory of Rick Haworth, that brokenness should feel more real than ever.

The Bible also mentions the name of this brokenness. Sin. Which causes everyone around us, including ourselves, now with the potential to use this godly attribute to hurt rather than love. So as we remember these individual experiences that have hurt us the most. Where God’s intended love for His image bearers did not shine through this dark world. May we be careful to not let these parts of our lives define us. Nor dictate our future.

But for those who have ears to hear, let us cast our cares, hurts, and hearts on the only one that truly knows these individual experiences that we call life. Come and know the only One who can take all that you are—the broken pieces, the buried pain, the silent struggles—and craft something beautiful even from the messiest life.

Hope has a name. His name is Jesus Christ.

Will you respond to Him with a life of faith?

So as we remember these individual experiences that have hurt us the most. Where God’s intended love did not shine through this dark world. Let those of us who have ears to hear. Cast our cares, hurts, and hearts on the only one that knows these individual experiences that we call life. Hope has a name. And His name is Jesus Christ. Will you respond to Him with a life of faith?

Let me end this message with my favorite summary of the gospel in the Bible.

“Therefore, because we* have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we* know that affliction produces patient endurance, 4 and patient endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

6 For while* we were still helpless, yet at the proper time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For only rarely will someone die on behalf of a righteous person (for on behalf of a good person possibly someone might even dare to die), 8 but God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while* we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Ro 5:1–8.

10. Moment of Silence

My dad would want each one of us to take a moment and reflect on whether or not our lives are in line with God’s call in submission to Him. Please bow your head in thought or prayer. Not to simply remember Rick Haworth. But to have a truthful moment with the One who created and knows us in all of our uniqueness.

11. Closing Remarks & Closing Prayer & Closing Song

Thank everyone for coming

Mention everyone is welcome to gather for lunch but its not required as it is a weekday

End with a prayer that we would choose to live a life for God (Uncle Paul)

My Jesus - Todd Agnew