Rev. Muir married us in June, 1970 at Central Christian Church.  My father was chairman of the Administrative Board and both he and Rev. Muir worked together to help get the new sanctuary built where we were married almost 43 years ago.  He also married my sister and her husband a bit earlier in the year, but in the old sanctuary where my grandparents had attended at one time.

He did have a good sense of humor and seemed to be such a gentle soul.  I remember I forgot some of the words to our vows and he bent down to my ear and said "relax - you are doing fine!"   I have wedding reception pictures with Rev. Muir  in them.  I  

Remembering Rev. Muir always brings a smile to my face.  I cherish his memory. 

As a cousin on his Mother's side I knew him as Johnny.  He was 8 years my senior (4 yrs to my sister Suellen), so I don't really have a story of my own.  He was an adult as far as I was concerned.  I do remember a story my Mother use to tell about Johnny and Aunt Oree.  It was while down town and Johnny was about 5 yrs old.  As getting ready to cross the street, his Mother said, "here Johnny, hold my hand" at which Johnny replies, "I can hold my own hand".  My Mother, Oradine Daniel, wife of Lloyd Daniel, one of Johnny's uncles, thought this was one of the funniest things she ever heard a child say.  She always got a great kick out of telling it and I heard it over and over throughout my life.  Of course part of those tellings were done by my Aunt Oree.  I've always been proud that my cousin was a minister of the gospel.   BTW, I was Judy Daniel to the family.

Maddie (my 11 yr old) and I were talking about Grandad.  She was thinking about what to write for his Memorial Service.  She said "Mom I know what you should write about."  I thought this should be interesting.

"You know those tiny little cards that you won't let me play with because you said they were special, how about that?" The funny thing was, I was just thinking about that very thing and how special those cards are to me. 

I am sure by now that if you don't know by personal experience you have heard that my dad is very competitive. Not foam at the mouth kick your butt competitive, but a sly quite never knew what hit you until its all over competitor. Well games, and particularly card games, started in our family at an early age. Being the youngest, I was left out of many of the card nights (usually at Estes Park on our yearly trek to Colorado). My brother and sister couldn't stand waiting for me to lay out all of my cards because my hands were to small to hold them.

Low and behold I was given the tiniest deck of Betsy Clark playing cards you have ever seen. Tiny. Really tiny and they fit perfectly in my hands. I then became a part of the card playing nights. Much to Debbie and John's complete annoyment to have to play with those cards, my dad would insist that we play with them. Even if it was for only one game.

The memory of my dad holding those TINY cards in is hands (and making everyone else cooperate) holds the very picture of love, sacrifice and grace that was, and is, my dad.  

There are so many memories of John, as a Minister, as a friend and as a Boss.  As a Minister, my fondest memories are of when Chris and Clay both made their confressions of faith.  You see, for some reason, they both gave their lives to Christ in the Baptist church!  However, they did attend the Pastor's class and were baptized by John at First Christian.  As a friend, John, Judy, Diana & Johnny Costello, Frank Anderson, Lori Gordon, Kerry and I, along with Brent Stratten,  were sponsors for the 1989 Kirk Ringer trip to  California, Arizona, etc.  We had some really interesting experiences on that trip, but the one I mostly fondly recall, was the night we stayed at a Motel 6 in Oakland, CA!  As a Boss, I was employed at First Christian in the office in various capacaties.  John was a wonderful boss. 
There are many other memories, too numerous to relate now.  We will miss his great smile and sense of humor.  But most of all we will miss a wonderful man of God who gave his life to helping others reach Christ. 

Memories of Grandad

My favorite memory of Grandad was how much he loved his ice-cream.  He would always have a big bowl and share some with me.  Grace McCully, Portland Oregon.  Age 15

I really enjoyed when Grandad would do the prayer before dinner.  I don’t know why but it always meant the most when he did it.  Tony Reid, Houston Texas.  Age 22

I will always remember talking baseball while chowing down on some ice-cream at Baskin Robbins.  I will always miss him.  Jordan McCulley, Portland Oregon.  Age 20

Grandad always had a great sense of humor and I will miss all of his crazy words he would try to play during Upwords.  “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”  Colossians 3:1  Hannah McCulley, Portland Oregon.  Age 22

I have never more blessed to say that someone is a part of my family.  You have affected so many peoples’ lives and your memory carries on through them as I know it does mine.  I love you and know you are watching from above with the Father.  Ryan Muir, Houston Texas.  Age 16

One of the fondest memories of Grandad is how he would push me on his walker.  I remember how we would meet him and Nana at the airport.  I would always hop up onto the walker and he would push me to the car.  As fun as the ride on the wild side was, I’m glad he doesn’t need it any more.  Maddie McCulley, Portland Oregon.  Age 11

I have never been graced with a more positive presence.  Perseverance must be genetic.  Katie McCulley, Portland Oregon.  Age 18

I remember always playing scrabble or Upwords at the lake.  Grandad would always play words that seemed suspiciously made up… but John would never fail to question Grandad’s “suspicious” words J.  It was so funny.  Stephanie Reid, Houston Texas.  Age 20

Grandad had a way of communicating love without needing to speak.  His actions spoke for him.  I will never forget how welcoming he was to my family and me.  My favorite memory is helping him with speech therapy.  He kept trying to get me to skip the exercises he didn’t like, but I told him I wasn’t going to help him cheat.  He laughed and said “You’re a stubborn girl”.  Guess we had that in common.  Charlotte Reid, Houston Texas.  Age 17

Both of us are a cup of sugar, with a dash of cinnamon, a pint of breakfast, a pinch of stubbornness and competitiveness, some added hazel, and a gallon of love.  Christine Muir, Houston Texas.  Age 20

Out of all the times we played games together, no matter what the game, the only time I ever beat Grandad was in a game of Monopoly.  When we were ever looking for another player, Grandad was our man.  Simon Reid, Houston Texas.  Age 14