There are so many facets to recall over who Gary was, these are just a few about this dear man with whom I was privileged to share nearly 17 years of marriage: He treated everyone the same, and got on with people of all ages and all walks of life. Many of you here will have know him in just one capacity, but from what other say about him you will recognise the same person. Who if any managed to escape one of his solid hugs or handshakes? He loved his girls, and was very proud of what they were doing – only last week he commented to me that they all seemed happy and were doing well. He loved all things feminine, frequently stopping me in the morning to check what colour eyeshadow combination I had chosen to wear that day. The more pockets a pair of trousers had the better – but there were also sources of grief as he struggled to find where he’d put something. I know I shall keep coming across mislaid items for ages yet. No-one could have had more gadgets. I shall definitely need help in identifying what they are, why you would want it, and what I need to do with them Gary was safe, steady and reliable, brilliant in a crisis, rarely panicked, and must have been a sure bet when he served as a fireman 25 years ago or so. He loved the outdoors – the caravan, his Daimler Ferret and the dog were all reasons to get out. They also opened up new contacts for him. He loved to share his pleasure in the Ferret with as many as possible, and was delighted to have been asked to parade it before the Queen as part of a pageant on Horseguards Parade 4 years ago. The dog (a black Lab)got spoiled rotten since he came into our lives 4+ years ago, but he loved him, and said that Jorge made him laugh every day. I will always be grateful for the week we had together in the caravan only days before he was taken ill, where we were able to rest and relax together in lovely surroundings. He would take ages paying for goods because he always stopped to talk to the sales assistant about something or other, or try to persuade the waitress with one of his teasing grins that he really did need cream, icecream and custard on his apple pie. He was gentle, kind and humble, not insistent on his own way, a real gentleman. Poor standards really niggled him – especially items made in China that broke at once. This was where the Ferret scored so highly in its solid mechanical construction. But he was so tolerant of my clumsiness, and the way I so often broke or spoiled his things. Gary was a true visionary, creative, able to see how something could work in a new way. He found it exasperating when others did not catch the vision, and was very often ahead of his time, but when someone did enthuse over his work he was delighted and gratified. He produced and tried unorthodox solutions, the unique modifications to the house, caravan, car and Ferret being too many to mention. Gary was a passionate seeker after the truth, which led him down some unusual paths. He loved films like The Matrix and The Bourne Identity which had unexpected twists to them. He also loved the Band of Brothers series, and would watch excerpts from these if he was down or discouraged, to encourage him to fight on. The child in Gary was never far below the surface, and he made the most of the moment. Last Thursday evening he and Roo went for a walk with the dog, played ball, messed about in the woods, and came back to chuckle together over Mr Bean’s Holiday. The picture I snapped of them laughing that evening was the last I took of him. Some of his best times were when he was involved in the youth group, either here at Wotton Baptist Church or in his previous church in Winscombe – he could join in their fun and games without being told off! His sense of fun showed in his love of the ridiculous and idiotic, and his enjoyment of a good joke – his shoulder-shaking laughs would make you laugh even if you didn’t know what about. He had a gift of defusing difficult situations, often with a wry comment, or just by his quiet steady manner. He was one of the cleanest people I know and always smelled nice. Gary was convinced of what he believed as a Christian, and while no Bible scholar, God spoke to him frequently (often in the shower!). Many can testify to the encouragement he gave them to consider a new avenue that he felt they were being led on. I started reading the book of Job just a few days before Gary was taken ill, and have found it remarkably apposite! Job 14:15 describes what I feel happened last Tuesday morning: “You will call and I will answer you: you will long for the creature your hands have made.” I will miss him hugely though – my beloved husband, my friend and companion, my mate. He loved heartfelt worship, especially where drums were used well. Some of the songs we have chosen for this service may surprise you with their beatiness (especially the exit song to come later!) but we felt this would have been Gary’s choice. He had recently started downloading his favourite tracks onto his iPod, so that made choosing the songs a lot easier for me! The track I want to play now is one which has meant a lot to him over the years, and he and I had recently been looking for the CD which was missing from its empty case. The words moved Gary to tears frequently, as they speak of acknowledgment of past mistakes but also of God’s mercy, forgiveness, and acceptance of each of us just as we are, with the hope of new beginnings. The track is "Come to the Light" from the album of that name by Kevin Prosch. Diana