Edwin Farek Eulogy

Pray-Ps 116:15  Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

Obituary

George Edwin Farek, age 49, passed away Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Memorial Herman Medical Center in The Woodlands Texas. Edwin was born on January 5, 1975 in Lufkin Texas to parents, George Leo Farek Jr. and Sue Nell Bridwell Farek.

Edwin was a loving father, son, and brother. He grew up in Hudson Texas and was a long-time resident of Conroe Texas, where he was a co-manager for Kroger. He later moved back to Crockett to help care for his mom and dad. He could be found spending outings with family as much as he possibly could, he loved gardening and cooking for family (one of his favorites was barbequing). Whenever possible he would take his family camping at the lake or beach and on his many trips to Conroe, stopped by the Trinity river so Dylon could dip his fishing pole in the water. He was a gentle and giving soul and would help any family or friend in need and even putting them ahead of his own needs. He was loved deeply and will be missed by all.

Edwin is survived by parents, George and Sue Farek of Crockett; son, Dylon Farek of Crockett and his mom Amandy Farek of Lufkin; sister, Eva Brandenburg and husband Bill of Grandview; nephew Kyle Willis and wife Sommer of Huntington; great-nieces and great-nephew, Paetyn, Cora, Lyncoln; numerous other loving relatives and friends.

Pray Pv17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Eulogy

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. – PV 17:17 Edwin was surely a good friend of mine, a brother who stood with me through good times and tough times.  He stood beside me as my best man at my wedding and today I stand beside him as we lay him to rest. Our friendship has withstood the sands of time and though I am brokenhearted he is no longer with us physically; I am not without hope because I know he is with our Lord and Savior who came to save us.

Family-Dylon, Amandy, George, Sue, Eva I am so sorry for your loss.   I have been praying God would comfort you as you mourn Edwin’s loss.  Edwin was a man whom I ascribed to care like and this past week a flood of memories have passed through my mind as I thought about what your dad, brother, and son meant to you. 

Sue remembers she and George, Edwin's dad taking Edwin fishing when he was about 6 years old.  He caught his first fish that day and was so excited getting his dad's help to help him reel it in.  I think this day set many days to follow.  Edwin loved the outdoors and fishing.

Edwin and I grew up together as we met in the 4th grade at school.  We quickly developed a friendship and began spending time at one another’s houses, which is where I met Eva, Sue, and George.  Edwin and I shared many interests including doing as young boys do, aggravating older sisters.  Though Eva was busy with High School she often took time to shew us out of trouble or out of the way of the tv while we waited for Edwin’s mom and dad to get home from work.   I most assuredly tell you when we were left alone tomfoolery was to follow and despite Eva’s best efforts, we still found plenty to get into. 

As we grew with age so did our friendship, and so did the circle of friends which added in different people.  Amandy and Edwin met when they were 15.  They loved just hanging out together and skating at the rink. They spent most Friday and Saturday nights together, and as Amandy and Edwin's relationship grew, they were married.  They moved to New Caney after High School as Edwin pursued his career with Albertsons and soon to be Kroger.

In March of 2000, Edwin and Amandy had a “bouncing baby boy” the pride of Edwin's eye.  Dylon you are treasured by your dad, a good gift.  He often talked about you and looked forward to the day when you would have a family of your own.  He was proud of you and enjoyed every minute he spent with you!  All the camping trips and adventures, playing Minecraft with you, was a treasured time spent with you.  He appreciated all the help and care you had for him and his mom and dad over the past few years. 

Loving adventure, Edwin often took Amandy and Dylon on road trips or just drove around the backroads of Conroe or Lufkin.  He enjoyed visiting Galveston to see the volcano blow, walking on the beach, and shopping in the souvenir shops.  And when he couldn’t make it to Galveston, he was often found riding jet skis across the lake in Conroe or camping in Huntsville State Park.  His top concern was always that his family enjoyed the outings as much as he did and he placed their needs ahead of his own. 

Dylon said he and his dad once took a kayak on Lake Livingston and the fin fell off the boat making the kayak nearly impossible to steer.  After paddling in circles for a bit he found his way to shore and called Eva to come get them.  Dylon I’m sure there is more to that, but what an adventure.

As Eva and Edwin grew into adulthood they developed a strong relationship.  Being 6 years apart as children may make it hard to share commonalities as kids (Eva trying to enjoy TV after school while Edwin played cars in front of it including sound effects, lol) but as adults, they enjoyed many of the same interests including camping, boating, and fishing.  They also cared for their parents, George and Sue trying to honor their wishes to stay at home as long as they could. 

Edwin enjoyed much happiness in his life, but he also experienced his share of struggles, hardships, and troubles as do we all.  Troubles are part of living in a fallen world where difficult things happen, where death comes like a robber and demands your life taking loved ones away. 

I want to speak for just a minute about what the Bible says about this trouble we experience in the days of our lives, its antidote-belief, and the comfort that brings.  I’ll be in Jn 14:1-3

Trouble

Jesus speaking to his disciples says, ‘“Let not your hearts be troubled.” Jn 1:1 Why would the Disciples' hearts be troubled? This passage occurs in the upper room discourse.  The Passover meal had just finished.  Passover was a time of rejoicing and remembering what God had done in the Exodus for the nation of Israel.  How he had saved them from their captor, Egypt and set them free to worship the one true and living God.  It should have been a joyous time, particularly after Jesus' triumphant return the prior Sunday.  In the mind of the disciples, the long-awaited King has returned to Jerusalem and will overthrow the Romans and return the rule and reign of the land to Israel.  That is what they expected but what Jesus tells his disciples is anything but that. 

Jesus says that He will be leaving and going to a place the disciples cannot follow Jn 13:33 because he will be departing soon from this world to return to His Father's house. Jn 14:3 As He reveals what must happen to Him to fulfill scripture Jn 13:18, He then tells the disciples some difficult truths about themselves.  Jesus says all of you will deny me and one of you will betray me. Jn 13:21; 38 The Bible defines denial and betrayal as sin because it addresses the heart and a turning away from Jesus.  What a difficult saying for men who had been with Jesus for the past 3 years.  To be told I am leaving and all of you will deny and Judas you will betray me to the Jews.  I am certain their hearts were troubled. 

Our hearts are likely troubled today with the loss of Edwin.  Death is final.  The Bible teaches “Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.  Because by the one man’s disobedience, the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Rom 5:12;19 Because of Adam’s disobedience we are all sinners. Sin and death came into the world because Adam disobeyed God and just as sin came into this world by Adam, the good news of the Gospel is that righteousness and eternal life came by one man, Christ Jesus.

Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Tim 1:15 Jesus wasn’t just a good teacher as some may think but he was the Great High Priest who can sympathize with us in our weakness. Heb 4:15 Jesus knows what it means to mourn as he mourned the death of a dear loved one Lazarus and He wept. Jn 11:35 To the crowds at the Sermon on the Mount, he said “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” Matt 5:4 but how?  Jesus says to “Believe in God; believe also in me.” Jn 1:1

Antidote-Belief

This brings us to our second point, Believing in God and believing in Jesus Christ whom God sent to save us from our sins 1 Tim 1:15 is the antidote to our troubles.  Belief is not a magic pill that if I believe my troubles will be gone or even if I believe enough, they will decrease but rather a working knowledge of trust that even in the most difficult trials and troubles God is with you and he is for you. Josh 1:15

To believe is to trust much like when you came in this room and sat in the pew you're sitting in.  You trusted that the pew would hold your weight and would let you sit and rest.  To believe in God and Jesus Christ you must trust that they will hold you up and will let you rest.  Similarly, like the pew that you are sitting in, it's important you believe the right things about that pew, it was made to sit on not something else.   We must believe the right things about God and Jesus Christ.  That Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day and then appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” 1 Cor 15:3-5 Not only do we need to believe in God and Jesus but we need to believe the right things about them.

Do you believe this?  That Jesus suffered, died, and was buried to pay the penalty of your sins?  That He was raised on the third day demonstrating His authority to forgive your sins and offer you eternal life?  Because, to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13 

Not only is the gospel of Christ good news but it is transformative.  If you have been born of God, you will love God and love God’s people.   Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come 1 Cor 5:17.  Children of God are transformed and are offered the comfort of their sins being forgiven and eternal life.  The scriptures we now have a new destination or a location in the future of that final comfort.

Comfort

“In my Father's house there are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”  Jn 14:2-3

Jesus tells us about his Father’s house.  A place where there is no darkness as the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb Rev 21:32, where the streets are made of pure gold Rev 21:21 and the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Rev 21:3-4

The Father’s house is a place with many rooms where Jesus goes to prepare a place for us.  He is actively getting it ready for us.  And when it is our turn, he will come and get us so that where he is we will be also.  What a glorious hope that those who believe in Christ have.  That we have received Christ and Despite the troubles of this world, we will enjoy the presence of God the Father and His Son Jesus to bring God glory forever!

In my last conversation with Edwin, we spoke about many things.  The one thing that stood out was that Edwin said he believed in Jesus and that he knew the Spirit.  Paul reminds us that “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory”.  Eph 1:13-14 I believe from Edwin's confession that he knew the Lord and, in his death, earned his inheritance of eternal life and now is with the Lord Jesus in His Father's house that had been prepared before hand.

Death of a loved one brings about so many thoughts and emotions. We may weep, cry, and mourn experiencing the loss and separation. We will likely think about many memories with that person, and we may think about many things we have never thought about before.  Have you ever thought about what happens when we die?  And if you have thought about what happens, have you thought about why you would be able to go there? 

I believe Edwin gained his inheritance and went to be with the Lord.  It wasn’t Edwin’s work but the work of a good and sovereign God who sprinkled clean water on him, gave him a new heart, and the Holy Spirit within him, and caused him to walk in God's statutes and be careful to obey God's rules. Ezk 36:25-27 The God who saved Edwin called him home to be with him because Edwin believed in His Son.  He trusted heaven was a place prepared for him and Jesus paid the cost of his sins making a way for him to be reconciled to a Holy God.

Pray Ps 34:17-19 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. e is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the delivers him out of them all.