Carey Arthur Woods, III - July 24, 2021

Order of Worship

Welcome & Gathering

Jesus said, I am the resurrection and I am life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.

Friends, we have gathered here to praise God and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of Carey Woods. We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss. May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow….hope, in death….resurrection.

Added encouragement and

prayer.

Song - “Don’t Let the Old Man In”

This first song is meant to bring a smile to us all as it emulates the life of Carey…at least the later years. Through sickness and exhaustion and all that comes with it… he did not want to “let the old man come in.” Still fought to be young (not as a weird youthful pursuit) but young for those around him and the joy he was pursuing all the time.

Old Testament Reading

Psalm 23 NIV

A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

and from Isaiah

Isaiah 40:28–31 NIV

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Amen.

Words of Remembrance

Carey Arthur Woods, III passed away July 10, 2021, at home in Tyler, TX surrounded by family. Carey was born September 15, 1942, in Long Beach, CA to parents Carey Arthur Woods, Jr. and Marion Herd Woods.

He was in the first graduating class at Robert E. Lee High School in 1961. After graduation, Carey then served in the U.S. Navy, December 1961-December of 1963, aboard the USS Detector MSO 429, a wooden hull mine sweeper, with reserve obligation ending May of 1966. He came home and attended North Texas State. Although he grew up in the family air-conditioning and plumbing business, his salesmanship took him into the car business for approximately 14 years.

Later in life Carey was driven by “the thrill of a deal” in real estate business transactions allowing them opportunities to live in different locations.

Carey acquired J.P. Morrow Company Air-Conditioning and Plumbing in Alice, TX along with George C. Cunningham Air-Conditioning and Heating in Harlingen, TX before purchasing C. Woods Co. from his father in 1995. Along with his wife, Monica, they operated the business until, due to health issues, he sold the business, but then later established Woods Comfort Systems in San Marcos, TX.

Carey is survived by his wife of 28 years, Monica Greathouse Woods; sons Carey Arthur Woods, IV (Chip) and wife Pamela of Alice, TX; Chris Woods of Lakeway, TX; Jack Ware and wife Allison of Corpus Christi, TX; Waco Ware and wife Kelly of Taft, TX; and Will Doran and wife Meagan of Tyler, TX; sister Marion Krug and husband Jeff, of Alta Loma, CA; mother-in-law Margie L. Bourn of Crystal City, TX; sister-in-law Vickie Weisinger of Uvalde, TX; and brother-in-law Joe Greathouse and wife Irma, of Crystal City, TX.

He is also survived by three nieces. Carey was very proud of his ten grandchildren who dearly loved their Pawpy. The family would like to thank their long time family friend and care-giver, Lottie Ervin; and family internist, Dr. Thomas Buzbee and staff of TIMA. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Nancy Brumley Posey.

Pastoral Prayer

O God, who gave us birth, you are ever more ready to hear than we are to pray. You know our needs before we ask, and our ignorance in asking. Give to us now your grace, that as we shrink before the mystery of death, we may see the light of eternity. Speak to us once more your solemn message of life and of death. Help us to live as those who are prepared to die. And when our days here are accomplished, enable us to die as those who go forth to live, so that living or dying, our life may be in you, and that nothing in life or in death will be able to separate us from your great love in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Add prayer for Carey, kids, grandkids, family, friends.

Amen.

Will you join me in the Lord’s prayer as you are able:

OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME. THY KINGDOM COME. THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US, AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL. FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER AND EVER AMEN

Song - How Great Thou Art

New Testament Reading and Message

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 NIV

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

and from 2 Tim

2 Timothy 4:7–8 NIV

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

It has been a joy to get to know Carey this week. One of the great honors of my calling is to sit and watch, listen, to loved ones tell the story of a loved one. Lives like Carey are impossible to capture in a few moments. So many things to say, to celebrate, so many great stories, one-liners, memories.

Carey lived a full life,

from career with the thrill of the sell, to running a successful business

To his joy with his family:

rodeo with the kids, so many miles and hours spent

his generosity to those closest to him. Monica described an incredible intentionality and focus on her. “He had more confidence in me than I did in myself.” “No one has ever cared for me like that.”

Bears: Grizzly/Care/Teddy

Teaching kids work ethic and generosity.

Raised in the church and even when travelling would make church a necessity.

So smart, and engineer, and yet he broke a lot of things. Thrived on challenges. from houses to flip or business experiences or finding a way to squeeze in vacation even in the midst of sickness.

He was a warrior through years of cancer and treatment and just assumed always that he would beat this challenge.

Today is not defeat to this challenge friends. It sure feels like it in some ways, but no. It is the victory of healing. Carey is at a different kind of Horeshoe Bay, that is what our faith tells us.

No today is about Carey finishing the race and inheritance that waits for him.

Paul and Timothy

In our text, the apostle Paul is encouraging his protege, Timothy. Paul is likely near the end of his life at this point. He is at least reserved that this calling will likely kill him.

There are two realities that Paul is certain of:

I have kept the faith

There is a future that awaits him

What a blessing for Paul to look back at his life and be able to state....I ran the race. I did it. This is the same guy who says I do not what i want to. OR acknowledges that he was the worst of all before Jesus or claims that all fall short of the glory of God.

But he was also the one that knew to cling to the hope of Christ was everything.

And second, Paul was as free as possible knowing what was in front of him.

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

Talk this out a little.....

What makes this day special is that we can look at the life of Carey and say the same thing. He poured himself out fully to those around him. Not perfect. But he clung to the perfect one.

It is a challenge for all of us.....

Benediction

The peace of God He which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.