Today is a very sad day.  Sharon's Dad, Charles Moody passed away.  He was a very devoted disciple of Jesus and a powerful example in every way.  We'll feel the loss that cannot be replaced; however, heaven has become even that much more precious. 

Also today, my aunt Nola King made the same journey.  As many of you realize from experiencing such a loss, your world changes; but God's promises mean all the more.  I recall so many fond memories as a young child, making the family trek to Sequatchie County Tennessee to visit my Mom's side of the family in that  beautiful valley.  My late uncle Raymond King worked in repairing televisions and radios.  The motto on the side of his truck read, "If your radio won't sing, give King a ring."



Lila, Sharon, Charles and Don

I captured this photo in June of this year on the shore of the Tennessee River in Florence, Alabama.  It was a day that Charles said was his favorite birthday ever.  Charles was an outstanding bluegrass banjo picker, having played most of his life.  Another one of his favorite days was when Earl Scruggs signed his banjo at a photo shoot that our daughter Kimberly was having with the bluegrass legend. 

As fathers can be with their only daughters, I'm told that Charles was not very welcoming to the guys Sharon had dated who came to visit their home . . .  until my first visit.  Charles and I shared a love of bluegrass and enjoyed a great jam session the first time we met.  Sharon was in shock when Charles said to me, "Son, come back and visit again."   My, how my learning to play bluegrass guitar and banjo paid off!  I was nineteen when we married and began our home filled with music of all kinds.  Charles was always very supportive.



Anyone who knew Charles understood his deeply spiritual nature.  I'm proud to say that he was involved in one of the very first bus ministries in the nation.  In fact, Marvin Phillips (then, a newly returned missionary from Australia who was the new preacher for the Garnett Church) was among the many who visited the Darby Drive workshop and was influenced by this evangelistic ministry.  It just so happens that the Tulsa Workshop was born out of this Florence prototype.

In many ways, Charles was ahead of his time and a very deep thinker.  His knowledge of the Scriptures and of God was always a positive challenge to those who were blessed to spend time with him.  Our lives are so much richer as a result of this great man!