Phil Yeary Memorial Service

Opening Prayer:

“Father in heaven,

We gather in Your presence today to remember and honor the life of Phil Yeary. We thank You for the years You gave him, for the joy and laughter he shared, for the care he showed his family, and for the quiet ways he served others.

Lord, as we come together in both sorrow and gratitude, we ask that You would be near to us. Comfort those who grieve, strengthen this family with Your peace, and remind us through Your Word that You are our Shepherd, who restores our souls and leads us beside still waters.

May everything we do in this service — the songs we sing, the memories we share, the Scriptures we hear — bring comfort to the hurting, honor to Phil’s memory, and glory to Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd.

In His name we pray, Amen.”

Introduction:

Tonight we’re going to turn to one of the most familiar passages in all of the Bible, Psalm 23

Many in this room today could quote it from memory. It’s read at gravesides, whispered at bedsides, and treasured in the hearts of God’s people for over 3,000 years.

But familiarity can make us miss its depth. David doesn’t write in the abstract—he writes as a sheep, cared for by a Shepherd he personally knows.

That’s why the very first line says: “The Lord is my shepherd.”

Not just “the Lord is a shepherd,” or “our shepherd.” It’s personal.

David could say it, and so could Philip Yeary.

That’s why this psalm fits today—not just because it’s comforting words, but because it reflects Phil’s story.

Phil used to call me ‘Mighty Mouse.’ He even set it as my ringtone on his phone, because he said I was always coming to save the day.

That was Phil — fun, teasing, always making people laugh, even while pointing to something deeper.

And I think he would laugh today that we are celebrating his life by my preaching of a Shepherd who really does come to save the day.

1.) The Shepherd Cared for Phil in Life (vv. 1–3)

Psalm 23:1–3 ESV

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

The picture is of a shepherd who meets every need of his sheep—food, water, rest, safety, guidance.

To say “I shall not want” is not to say life is perfect, but that there is no lack of what is truly essential.

Phil’s Life as an Example of the Shepherd’s Care

Phil showed that kind of care to his children—fun, present, always there.

Grant shared a story about his dad and his 9th birthday party. “The Empire Strikes Back” was in the theaters and Grant wanted so bad to see it but his mom would not let him go. But, here comes Phil to the party carrying his new top loader VCR and a Video tape. Telling everyone he had recorded some Buck Rogers episodes for his son. Sat all the boys at the party down and pushed play. The Star Wars theme blared and Grant came unglued. Not knowing how his Dad had done it (He found out later, but that’s not my story to tell)

That little story encapsulates Phil as a father. He wanted to be present and there for his children any way he could.

Even through divorce, Phil continued to provide and care—not just financially…

When his kids went of to college he drove around an olde clunker car so he could help pay their tuition.

but emotionally, with presence and encouragement.

He was an an engineer, a self described “techy,” a music-maker, as a man who ran sound and AV for many years behind the scenes. Phil used the gifts God gave him in ways that blessed others.

In his advanced age and feebleness he desired to make his way back into our AV booth to serve. Though I would never let him because I was afraid he’d fall.

Even in the final weeks of his life, Phil offered to mentor young people in our church if they would listen.

That is the heart of a servant—not wanting to be served, but to serve.

That reflects the Shepherd who restores souls and leads in righteousness.

Application: The Shepherd who cared for Phil in life is the same Shepherd who cares for you today.

2.) The Shepherd Walked with Phil Through Valleys (v. 4)

Psalm 23:4 ESV

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

The Hebrew phrase can mean “valley of deep darkness.” It’s not just about the moment of death, but about every hard and fearful season.

Notice—David doesn’t say “if” I walk through the valley, but “when.” Because every child of God walks through valleys.

A.) Phil’s Valleys

Phil knew valleys—loss of his marriage, mental health struggles, the loss of his beloved Fran (second wife- who he did puppet ministry with), health struggles in later years. Yet in those valleys, the Shepherd never left him.

When Fran died, he could have stopped serving. Instead, he kept going—singing, creating, pouring into others.

That’s a man walking through valleys with his Shepherd by his side.

B.) The Shadow of Death

For the believer, death is reduced to a shadow.

As Spurgeon said, “The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy.”

Shadows frighten us, but they cannot harm us if the Shepherd is near.

Phil didn’t face the valley of death alone—his Shepherd walked him safely home. And I’ll add, he wasn’t scared of teh valley.

I had the privilege of visiting with Phil in the ICU the day before he passed. Kevin and I were there, talking with him, reading Scripture, praying. He didn’t open his eyes. He just mumbled softly.

But when my wife stepped up to the bed, took his hand, and spoke to him saying “It’s Jen…” he suddenly raised his head, opened his eyes wide, and with clarity made a joke about calling her “young lady, because at his age everyone was younger than him.”

That was Phil. Even in weakness, even in the shadow of death, he was still aware, still present, still himself. And it reminded me that even then, his Shepherd was near.

Application: Today, we too are walking through the shadow—the shadow of grief. But the Shepherd didn’t just escort Phil; He walks with us as we grieve.

3.) The Shepherd Welcomed Phil Home (vv. 5–6)

Psalm 23:5–6 ESV

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The imagery shifts here in these verses from sheep in a field, to a guest at a feast. The Shepherd is also the Host.

To anoint with oil was to refresh and honor a guest.

God honored Phil not because Phil was perfect, but because he belonged to Christ.

A.) Phil’s Welcome Home

Phil loved to celebrate life in his own way:

Kathy and Phil’s late wife Fran were best friends. And as Fran’s health was failing, she invited Kathy to move in to help care for her. When Fran died, Kathy came to Phil and said “Phil, I’m a single woman and it doesn’t look right me living here alone with you. So I need to move out.”

Phil, ever the romantic, turned to Kathy and said “Well, we’ve known each other for 30 years, let’s just get married” and Kathy said “ok.” What neither know is that Fran made them both promise to take care of the other when she passed. Phil lived just shy of he and Kathy’s 10th wedding anniversary.

Kathy, Grant and Yvonne sat in my office and shred with me Phil’s wedding toast and it’s one of the best I have ever heard. At the wedding Phil stood and said “I know many of you are wondering about how fast this has been. I just want to let everyone know, Kathy is not pregnant…”

He knew how to mark moments.

But no celebration here compares to the welcome he has now received in heaven.

The Hebrew word for “follow” in verse 6 is means “to pursue, to chase down.”

God’s goodness and mercy weren’t lagging behind Phil; they were actively chasing him all the way home.

Pastoral Application: For those in Christ, the story doesn’t end in the valley, it ends at home. That is where Phil is today: safe, whole, restored, dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.

4.) The Shepherd Invites Us to Follow Him.(Gospel Presentation)

Now, let me be clear about something. Psalm 23 is not comfort for everyone, it is comfort for those who can say, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

That raises the most important question you could ever face: Is the Lord your Shepherd?

Phil would want me to be very plain with you here. He was fun, caring servant. But the reason we can speak with confidence about where Phil is today is not because he was a good man. It’s because he knew a good Shepherd.

Jesus said in John 10:11

John 10:11 ESV

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

That’s the gospel. Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Every one of us has wandered like sheep. Every one of us has gone our own way. But the Shepherd came after us.

The good news is not that we find our way back to God by trying harder.

The good news is that Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross as our substitute, and rose again from the dead.

Because of that, death becomes only a shadow for those who belong to Him.

Romans 10:9 ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

That is God’s promise.

Phil used to call me Mighty Mouse because he said I came to save the day. But friends, the truth is — I can’t save the day. Only Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, can. And that’s the Shepherd Phil trusted.

Phil’s greatest desire would be for you to know the same Shepherd he knew, so that one day your story ends the same way his did, not in the valley, but at home with the Lord.

Poem for Phil Yeary

The Lord was Phil’s good Shepherd, He lacked no grace, no care; Through pastures green and waters still, God always met him there.

He loved his kids with his presence, A clunker car, a Star Wars tape; Behind the booth, with music made, His gifts took kingdom shape.

Through valleys dark and heavy, With loss and trials near, He pressed on still in service, Because his Shepherd steered.

And even in the shadows, When strength began to fade, He raised his head to whisper joy, And still a joke was made.

Now welcomed to the banquet, A toast he can’t outdo; Where mercy chased him all his days, And grace has brought him through.

So goodbye for just a moment, Till heaven’s house we see; Where Phil now dwells with Jesus, Safe for eternity.

Closing Prayer

“Father, we thank You for Phil’s life, for his love, and for his servant’s heart. Most of all, we thank You that he knew the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. Comfort this family with Your presence. And for anyone here who does not yet know Jesus, would You draw them today to trust the Shepherd who can lead them safely home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”