Funeral Service for Garrett Austin Knauss

We gather here to glorify God as the Giver and Sustainer of life. We are also here to pay tribute to a young man gone too early, Garrett Knauss.

On behalf of Central Schwenkfelder Church, sympathy is extended to Dean and Lisa, Logan and Rachel, Spencer and Rachel. And Garrett’s grandparents: Ted and Bonnie Knauss; and Joan Kerr.

It is at times like this that we, as people of faith in the Lord Jesus, turn to God’s word to find comfort and strength.  Our help comes from the Lord.

Today, I would tell you that the God of the universe is mindful of your grief.

This Psalm has long been a favorite of many.  It says: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from?”  This is a song of ascents; a hymn sung while Israelites went to the tabernacle/temple to worship. 

For those in Biblical times, the mountains represented trouble and obstacles.  In a pedestrian society, the hills surrounding Jerusalem could be challenging to navigate and they also were the home of thieves.  You took your life into your own hands if you had to travel over the hills. 

The answer to such obstacles is God.  That’s why the Psalmist wrote: “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” 

This Psalm contains one of the greatest messages from the Bible, that is the foundation of the gospel:  God graciously gives His help to fallen human beings, especially those who ask for it.  He invites you to come to Him.  He is mindful that we are “dust.”  The Lord condescends to His children.  He is a refuge and strength; a very present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1). 

And we need help. Life was never meant to be lived apart from the Lord.

It was Augustine who said: “Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You.” The same God who made the universe, made you with hole in your life that can only be filled by Him. That’s why He sent His Son Jesus to this earth so long ago.  Jesus said in Matthew 11:28:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." 

Coming to Jesus is an act of faith.  When we refrain from doing so, we rob ourselves of peace and the learning experience that adversity can teach us.  Life was not meant to be lived alone on our own, isolated from God.  We sing the words to that old hymn: “Oh what peace we often forfeit; oh what needless pain we bear; all because we do not carry; everything to God in prayer!”

What is unique about Christianity, from all of the other religions in the world is that we believe that God works on our behalf.  He is our help.  Jesus described the Holy Spirit as our “Helper,” and “the Spirit of truth.” God continues to be about help.  It is times like this that God wants us to ask for His help.

But in order to have a relationship with Him, you must turn from your sin and trust Christ.

How do we access this gift of life after death?  It is not through being a good person or adhering to a moral code.  Although important, these have never been the way to eternal life.  Rather, a relationship with God is found through the gifts of repentance and faith.  Jesus preached at the outset of His ministry in Mark 1:14:

“The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"  

Repentance means to turn; a change of heart and mind.  It is implied in the act of confession; asking God to forgive you for your sins and offenses done to Him and to others. 

The other act is faith.  Faith is not just believing that there is a God, but embracing Him; following Him; becoming a disciple of Jesus.

Genesis 15:6 ESV

6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

So there is urgency for all to repent of their sins and place their trust in Jesus Christ, in order to possess heaven as their home.  It is a wonderful thing that God reached out to us in the gift of His Son, so we could be reconciled to Him. 

We are here to remember Captain Garrett Knauss. I was told that Garrett was an overly curious person. He read everything and wanted to experience many things for himself. Whether it was learning to play the ukulele, or to swing a golf club, Garret believed that life was meant to be lived.

His personality and love for others

He loved to tell others what he learned. His siblings and their wives describe him as a “brilliant goofball” whose personality was infectious.

A renaissance man, Garrett lumbered instead of walked. He would wear his clothes, his way- whether it be see-through white slacks for the Christmas picture or a cut up t-shirt that he just couldn’t bring himself to throw away. Cowboy boots and shorts were not off limits.

On one occasion, he forbid his mother to do his laundry for fear she might dispose of something important. “I’m afraid you’ll throw my things out,” he would say.

Garett was a caring person, willing to literally give his shirt to someone in need. He was the first person everyone called for help. He asked no questions. He showed up.

For instance, on one occasion, Garrett was in Europe and a fellow serviceman needed a place to stay, so he gave up his home to this person for as long as they needed.

He was happy when others were happy and enjoyed doing things with people. Just a sampling of the outdoor activities he enjoyed were scuba diving, camping and golf. If there was an excursion he was interested in, he jumped in with both feet.

For instance, as hard as he tried, golf was a challenge. He would wake up early in the morning in Yuma, to get six holes in at 6 a.m.. When he went with his friends, Tremaine and Jason, he told them: “I’m just Garrett out here. You don’t have to call me sir.”

He liked to cook and host. And when Garrett cooked, it involved every pan or dish in the kitchen. Roasting a brisket or preparing ribs were not out of his repertoire. He could trash a perfectly good kitchen. No obscure condiment or instrument was safe. His kitchen at home was a bit greasy due to its overuse.

Garrett was a teacher at heart because he liked to share his life with others. He gave himself away and his care for others would. Doing was a means of connection with you.

Garrett was an avid reader and a music-lover. Someone called him: “The Master of Useless Information.”

Education

Garrett loved learning. He started his college experience at Boston University, but transferred to University of Pittsburgh where he majored in linguistics. He was fluent in Mandarin Chinese and read Russian at an eighth grade level. He lived by the motto: “I don’t care what it takes. I’ll figure it out.”

His sense of humor was great. He worked at the Movie Tavern and a Chinese family came to a showing. Garrett heard them make a comment about the order and when he delivered their food, he said in his best Mandarin: “I hope you enjoy your meal.”

He liked to get a laugh. On another occasion, at a Batman premiere, Garrett dressed up as Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne’s Butler, and introduced the movie to the audience.

Patriotic

Garrett loved his country. He was quickly approaching the eight-year mark, serving with the Marine Corps. He was striving for Major, which hopefully he would have received this year.

The Marine Corps became a part of him. He was truly proud to be a part of something that was larger than himself. When asked why he had to go to Japan or other places, he would say, “It is part of my progression.”

His military family was invaluable to him. He was “Uncle Garrett” to many children of his fellow servicemen.

His father Dean remembers when Garrett moved to Yuma. The average daily temperature was 115 degrees. The pool water was 95 degrees. But Garrett adapted.

Wherever the call took him, he responded. And because of his service to our country, Garrett traveled to Germany, Italy, Estonia, Romania, several points in Asia and in the Pacific.

Faithful

Garrett and his brothers Logan and Spencer grew up in the church and attended several mission trips. His career impeded his church attendance for a time, but he managed to engage in regular Bible study with a friend online several times per month. Just over the last couple of years, he started attending worship services again. He appreciated learning things about God.

A selfless friend

Garrett had a sentimentality that was rare. A friend had a daughter and on the occasion of her first birthday, Garrett wrote her a letter, only to be opened when she turned 23. Who thinks of things like that?

Garrett was selfless. And that rubbed off on others. His brother Logan said: “He was always there. Always the first to call. He gave you a sense of comfort and confidence. It was okay to desagree with him. He loved unconditionally.

Brother Spencer said: “Garrett gave you perspective. He allowed you to think bigger and taught you how to be a better friend. He extended grace.”

SIster-in-law Rachel said: “Garrett appreciated the simple things and encouraged you to do so as well.”

A special time was when Garrett surprised his mother and came up to visit from North Carolina. He loved the look on her face as he walked in the room.

He gave his vehicles names. His van was Norm. His jeep was Stella. Of the latter, he remarked: “I’ve been listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd and driving topless. I think this is how we were meant to drive.”

He would like to be remembered for his uniqueness, as a great brother, son and friend, who loved his country. Unrelenting and generous.

As you say goodbye to him today, may God give you His help as you trust in Him. Amen.