Life Is Short

Yesterday, with the sudden passing of Larry Dalton, I am reminded that life is short and we are not guaranteed tomorrow. I remember when Larry and the original Living Sound bunch pulled into Tampa, Bayshore United Methodist Church, as if it were yesterday. I was a young teenager just barely 13 years old. I was mezmerized by the musicianship and overwhelmed by the power of God's Spirit which was evident in every note and in the powerful message that Terry Law brought that day. We would have many more occasions to welcome various forms of Living Sound to Tampa and I was there, sitting in the front row taking in everything. A few years later, I remember going forward and praying with David Smith after one of the concerts. Oh, I was saved, but David gave me a word from the Lord which proved to be my life path and what I am doing to this day. I want to say to all of you Living Sound folks, from a later alumni myself, thank you for serving the Lord. I am part of the fruit of your labor. Larry was not only an astounding musician, but a tremendous person. He stayed in our home the first couple of trips and one trip Bruce Winegar stayed with us as well. He left not just a musical impression, but he left an unmistakeable impression of the heart of God on this young man.

Larry and I were supposed to have lunch together in Dallas the next time that he was to be in town. I won't get to have that lunch with him. I won't have the opportunity to say, "thank you", in person to Larry for all that he meant to me as a youth and as a young man. I thought I had plenty of time. I know that he knows now and I look forward to the day when we can share lunch in person again.

However, Larry was seemingly in good health when he went to be with the Lord and we never know when our appointment will be. After all, each of us have an appointment with God and we will not be early, nor will we be late. So, I would like to take a moment to say thank you to several people who touched my life in a very profound way as I grew up:

To Jim Copeland (who is not on Facebook) I want to say thank you for taking a teenager who had lost his dad a few years earlier and being that father figure to me. You were always a great role model for me as a man, as a Christian and as a musician. Thank you.

To Barry Perez, thank you for all the times you shared with me and poured Jesus into me when I was a young lad. I enjoyed watching you grow in the Lord as you poured His love into me. Thanks for the godly example you have always been to me.

To Lex Rivers my childhood best friend. Thanks for helping me to remember that it's OK to laugh. We had so much fun together in Jr High and on through college. I don't think I could have done so well had it not been for your encouragement. Thanks bro.

To Bob Petty, thanks for being the best musical partner a guy could ever have and for always being there through high school to make me realize that I should not lay down my dreams, I should go for it and never say never.

To Leo and Carolyn Gillman, thanks for taking a chance on a 14 year old kid and taking me all over the southeast with you singing for the Lord. You and Mark and Greg were always the example of a godly family and I thank you for letting me be a part of that for 4 years. The Revelation years left a mark that is visibly part of who I am today. Carolyn, you are the one who encouraged me to let the soul out in my singing and I have ever since. Thank you.

To Jeff Ling and Myles Monroe and Michael Flowers, thank you for all that you meant to me at Oral Roberts University. You men helped walk with me in a profound way. You busted my chops when necessary and you loved me in spite of my failures. You encouraged me in the giftings that God has placed in my life and pushed me to use my talents to serve the Lord.

To Jim Gilbert, Don Moen, Gordon Calmeyer, Terry Law, Steve Merkel, Greg Chapman and Joel Vessanen thank you so much for the training in life and in music and in godliness that I received from you as you came to my town and as most of you put up with me later in Living Sound. You men left an indellible mark on my life and I can never repay you for all that you poured into me.

To Kent Nottingham and Bob Grenier, you two helped to pick up a broken man and put me back together after one of the roughest periods of my life. You helped guide me when I was on the road with Don Carr and Sold Out and I will forever be grateful for the grace of God that still flows through both of you today.

To Dary Grumbein words can't even say what all we have walked through together. Thanks for being you and thanks Fran for putting up with us. :-)

Obviously to Evelyn, Whitney, Mom and Kathie, thank you so much for your constant love and encouragement. You have all lifted me up when I was down and pushed me to keep following the Lord even when I thought I could not. I love you.

Oh, don't get me wrong... This is not a good bye note as I plan to be around for a long time to come, but I want to make sure that each of you knows just how profound an effect you had and have on my life. I planned to tell Larry Dalton what an effect he had on my life. I thought I had much more time to do that, but it turns out that his appointment was earlier than we thought. So to all of you and probably many more that I have left out, thank you. You are the reasons I am who I am today.Thank you.

Life is indeed short. Let's make the most of it and not leave anything undone.

Until Later,

Don