Riley Croffut's Funeral

Eulogy

Amazing Grace (1st Verse)

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.

Message

Riley Was A Great Man

Riley was a great man and held many different titles throughout the years.

He was a son, brother, husband, father and many more.

He was a hard working man.

There is an old saying that a mechanics car never runs right, given the indication that after working on cars all day he doesn’t want to come home and work on them.

However, Riley’s daughter Karen said that wasn’t the case with him. There house was always under construction as he was either updating or fixing up the place.

He did a beautiful job building my office desk and creating a place for a window unit in my office wall.

Riley was a man with many interests.

He loved to hunt deer as many here know.

He loved to read and he read a vast swath of different topics and subjects.

He encouraged me to read a few books he had read, one was a Lui Lamor book and the other was how the the Federal Reserve got is start.

Something I was unaware of until his kids were telling stories with me the other day, that he loved yard sells and would stop when he saw a sign and go check them out.

He passed that on to at least one of his kids, I learned.

Now Riley certainly wasn’t a perfect man mind you.

Carol told me of the time they started attending the Lord’s church in Broken Arrow and Riley introduced himself and that he had three children.

Carol then introduced herself and mentioned she had four children.

They had just had a child recently.

No, Riley wasn’t perfect, but that’s ok because…

Riley Was A Godly Man

When me and my family first moved here to Ramona one of my earliest memories of Riley was him stopping by my office and asking if I had a moment to talk.

He wanted to talk to me about my three year old (at the time) twins and give me some advice and his wisdom from raising all the kids he and Carl raised.

He told me where he thought and knew he had done a good job and where he thought he had not done such a good job.

Psalm 71:18 ESV

18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.

Again, like the rest of us Riley wasn’t perfect, but he knew, that God made provisions for our shortcomings as human beings.

The most important being Jesus our Christ.

Riley told me on many occasion that he wasn’t as faithful as he should have been when he was younger, and he didn’t want me or anyone else to make that mistake.

The entire time I knew Riley only knew the faithful child of God.

I only knew the man that could lead a prayer so beautiful, so heartfelt, so powerful that they often convicted me, inspired me, and encouraged me and from time to time even brought me to tears.

Because everyone that heard brother Croffut pray knew he was one who spent time in prayer drawing closer to his God.

Riley once told me that one of his favorite passages was that of Psalm 116:15 that states…

Psalm 116:15 ESV

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

Conclusion

Brother Riley Croffut has no doubt been found saint and precious in the sight of the Lord.

Yes, as Jesus proclaimed in Revelation 14:13…

“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord…that they may rest from their labors.”

Brother Croffut endure to the end, fought the good fight of faith, and has now received his crown of victory.

Thankfully, God has not left each of us here without hope of ever seeing Riley again and all those that have gone on to be with the Lord.

God promised each of us, that if we, like Riley did, live a life glorifying our God we can not-only see Riley again one day, but we can be with Riley again in abode of God on that last day.

No Tears In Heaven

At this time, brother Moses is going to lead us in the first verse of “No Tears In Heaven.”

A song that brother Croffut now realizes while in Paradise.

Lyrics:

No tears in heaven, no sorrows given, all will be glory in that land.

There’ll be no sadness, all will be gladness, when we shall join that happy band.

No tears…no tears up there, no tears no tears up there, no tears in heaven will be known.

Prayer

Father, we are before you this day with heavy hearts, and tears in our eyes and Father I pray that you will be with all those Riley had such an impact on while he was alive that hurting so much today.

Father, I pray that you place you hand of comfort upon Carl and their family, that you will help those of us that love them so dearly to be a strength to them at this time and a source of encouragement as well.

Father, we know the coming days will be a challenge but I pray that each one here and those that could not make it, will look to, find refuge in you in this time of pain and sorrow, and seek your love.

We love you Father and thankful for your love for us, your care for your saints, and the eternity with you in your abode you provided those willing to live with you.

And it is in your Son righteous and saving name we pray, amen.