I sat next to his wife, with Ranger Bob on my right. Many came to the funeral from his church and neighborhood. BibleJohn enjoyed nicknames, and he especially liked the one used to make things simple.
Years before, I got to know them on long walks with Sassy Sue and shorter ones with Christina. Sassy made a point of not giving a kiss, if that would get some laughs - and it did.
John became RangerJohn because he wanted to know if I used the KJV all the time. He began talking about giving away Super Large Print KJVs for people. Bethany Lutheran Church contributed, so he told me how he got so many strangers to have a Bible. His approach was simple and effective, going from door-to-door, people walking on the sidewalk, anyone who moved.
- Do you have a Bible? Big smile.
- Answer - No.
- Would you like one?
- What does it cost? This reduced tension and increased interest.
- They are free!
- Do you have anyone else who needs one?
Word got around and many cases of KJVs were passed out for individuals, including those those in prison - men and women - who were in groups to go straight. Mistakes were made in buying cases of KJVs with varying size and cost. BibleJohn did not like small KJVs because the print was so small. The women's group wanted them for their own children.
That is background for the funeral. One of BibleJohn's friends came up to the coffin and then came over to speak to the widow. After talking about John, the friend said something like this - "Your husband passed out Bibles! Everyone talked about it. He even gave cases to the prison! Can you believe that? Prison!" He had a big smile about the impact of one, retired, diabetic retired person.
Charlie Sue walked over to BibleJohn's home today, visiting RangerBob on the way back. She was not on a leash near the cul de sac. Charlie just went up to the screen door and wagged her tail for Lady and Fat Cat. There is a long trail of losses from a short walk (Letha to Joye), from the woman who was emergency baptized by Christina to the ending at BibleJohn's home. He asked for the KJV Audio Bible his last night. He grinned from ear to ear at the thought.
