Tribute to Roger Mullins

This afternoon we meet to celebrate the life of Roger Mullins. That is certainly the way he would want to be remembered. Yesterday we walked past his remains and treated them with respect and honor. Today they will be no less honored, although hidden beneath the flag of the United States of America honoring his service to his country as a United States Marine.

Yes, we celebrate his life. Roger was not defined by his death. As he lay down to sleep and breathed his last breath, the last piece of the frame was placed around the life portrait of Roger Mullins. His is a happy portrait. Not like some of today's modern art forms that leave you with a bad feeling, but like a good movie that you want to see over and over again. That was so very evident in how much more time we spent yesterday in front of the memorial video than how long we lingered in front of his lifeless remains. Anyone who knows Roger, knows that he likes to laugh. There was always a joke to tell, to inspire others to laugh along with him. He enjoyed life! If you look at his portrait there is always a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.

This happy portrait is one that found happiness in 31 years of marriage to lovely bride. It is the portrait of man who loved her and her son, made him his own. It is the portrait of man who raised two sons to whom he was a real hero. If you're listening today Roger, they'd like to say how proud they are to be your sons, how that words fail to express just how much they love you.
And if you speak to them, I know you'd tell them that they didn't have to say it, you'd seen it in their eyes. You knew all along how they felt about you, and you'd say how proud you are of them and fine men they've become. Speaking with Alfred and Doug yesterday, I commented that I didn't which of them looked more like their Dad.

His is a portrait a granddad who adored his grand kids. He and Cleo took them to Gatlinburg, where they made memories together. The girls recall the fun at the water park. I remember his looking on with pride when he came to witness their baptisms. The Bible tells us that is our children's children that crown our heads with glory. Certainly they are a crown of glory to Roger.

Although he loved life, he never held it so dear that he was not ready to lay his life down, for all that he held dear, his wife Cleo, his boys, Alfred and Doug, his grandkids, his God, and his Country.