In Memoriam Raymond F. McNair page 2

To Post Your Comments In This Guest Book

An Email Page Will Open

Simply Insert Your Comments In The Email

*****************************

"I must say that when I received the news of Mr. McNair's death a few days ago, I was rather distressed and felt an inner emptiness. Gradually pioneers of the Church are passing away--these were stalwarts that were anchors for our faith in a sense--and many do not realise the jewels that we no longer have among us. I read their writings; had some contact with them; and attentatively listened to their sermons.

"Their understanding of God's Word is unbeatable and there is no one around whom can replace them--no one seems to have that depth or breadth of understanding anymore.

"Anyway, I always found his writings inspirational. Over the months I received his regular letter in the mail and always looked forward to them. It was not a glossy publication full of this and that social issue. Rather, it was just black text on plain white paper. Yet the content-the message-was always so gripping, interesting and personally applicable. The Kingdom of God and our part in it was central to Mr. McNair, and he obviously yearned to see that day when the Kingdom is set up on the earth.

"There was more in those letters than many glossy magazines put together. Most people don't care about gloss-they want information and interesting, dynamic articles-like those that Mr. McNair, Dr. Hoeh, HWA etc. wrote.

"His articles made you think; you wanted to do more reading on the subject, he caused you to want to look into the Bible. This is his legacy.

"...Mr. McNair-like all the pioneers-will be sorely missed. But I do look forward to meeting him and other Christians in the resurrection!

Craig White, Australia

"Mr. McNair was known, respected and loved by many for his dedication and service to God's people. Strongly supportive of God's Truth, I recall Mr. Armstrong personally commending your husband-PUBLICALLY for his LOYALITY! A wonderful writer and speaker, one of Mr. McNair's earlier Passover preparation sermons was loaned to me by Traule Soetebier (former AC nurse) who shared that fine message with me--saying she would replay that message year by year to help her prepare for Passover. I agreed it was an excellant message, and made a copy for myself! I've also shared that message with others!

"While we who knew and loved him are saddened, we also know he continued to serve and help the brethren until he slept! He was a dedicated evangelist and defender of the teachings GOD led our 'father in the gospel'--[Mr.] Herbert Armstrong--to discover and share. Mr. McNair [was] one of the men I knew and looked up to as one having LOVING understanding with the use of authority given him. His writings, with many articles declared such; he will be sorely missed. His many years of long and unique service have left us with wisdom and understanding.

"As the time draws closer for us to meet our Maker--by Christ's 2nd Coming, or otherwise...I can easily imagine him following Mr. Armstrong in saying something close to this: "Let us press onward brethren, toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!"

Barry Kendall, Stockton, CA

"We were saddened to hear of Mr. McNair's death. You have been in our prayers constantly throughout the very severe trial. We have many positive and affectionate memories from a man who set a wonderful example and was so encouraging, especially in the Bricket Wood years. We too, look forward to seeing him again in the resurrection where our tears and pain will be things of the past."

Ian & Wilma Willis, Australia

From Mr. McNair's grandson, Jeffrey:

"Dear Grandma, I can't tell you how very sorry I am. I loved grandpa a lot. I did not realize just how much until he was not there. He was a stalwart man of God, steadfast in the faith, and lived in the hope of eternal life. Even though I did not always agree with grandpa, I always respected him. He also was very generous. He gave me several books, all of which I have used a fair bit. I always looked forward to looking through his books when we would come over. He had an awesome library. But it was his faith that impressed me more than his books. During those last visits, he seemed so at peace. He was content in God's will. And even though he was in pain, you would not know it.

"Another thing about grandpa that I will always remember was that he was humble. There was one time when we had a disagreement on whether or not the geneology of Christ found in the gospel of Luke was derived from Mary or from Joseph. Expecting to hit a brick wall, I showed it to grandpa. But he did not have the reaction that I expected. He looked at the book, took it upstairs, and then came down a while later and asked how he coild get a copy of the book. I will never forget that. Because, there was a man who, after believing one thing for most of his life, had the humility to say he was wrong. It takes a man to say that!

"I just want to let you know that I am praying for you. Our consolation is that grandpa is now in a better place than this. A place of no pain, a place of no tears, a place where we ourselves will be one day: walking and talking with him again. Your loving grandson."

Raymond Jeffrey McNair, Aptos, CA

God, through Mr. Raymond F. McNair, has spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. This good and faithful servant of His was not any peddler of God's word (like so many are today) but was truly a man of sincerity, commissioned by God (2 Cor. 2:14-17). Those who comprise "the aroma of Christ to God" recognise this profoundly with deep and ever-abiding love and respect.

SONIA KING London, England, U.K.

My dear Mrs. McNair and family,

I am most profoundly sorry to learn of the death of your much admired husband and father, and I extend my condolences to you. I very much respected Mr. McNair for his learning, his natural aptitude for teaching, his truly Christ-like compassion and interest in others, and for his long labor in the Church of God, from which I and so many others benefitted greatly.

I had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. McNair several times in the 80's and 90's. I can recall very vividly how astonished I was upon our first meeting to find him so ardently interested in my thoughts on various doctrinal subjects. He would query me and attentively listen to my answers, return thoughtful replies, then follow with more queries. At one point I felt almost as if he regarded me as his equal, speaking to me as if we had known each other for years. It was one of the most remarkable conversations I ever had with a minister, for he was so very approachable, so very other-oriented. On another occasion, when he had just recently joined the Global Church of God, I made a visit to the San Dimas headquarters to see for myself what was transpiring. Again, Mr. McNair greeted me with a warmth that presumed a long and cordial relationship, pulled me aside into his office and engaged me in a very lengthy and pleasant conversation on various biblical subjects. After meeting with Mr. Meredith, we went to lunch and--as funny as it may sound--I had to smile at the prodigious size of the salad he served himself. He must have caught a glimpse of my smile out of the corner of his eye, for he leaned close to me and whispered, "I have to keep trim for Mrs. McNair."

I learned of Mr. McNair's death after visiting the web site of the 21st Century Church of God. I had visited the site because I have been thinking about something Mr. McNair said to me quite a long time ago, and I wanted to ask him to elaborate. Unfortunately, that conversation will have to be postponed. Until then, I shall most certainly continue to feel a very personal loss.

God bless and keep you all.

Kind regards,

David Medici

It is hard for us to express our sincerest and deepest love that we have had for Raymond McNair. He will be greatly missed by all in our family. As we look back, what a long traveled road we have all shared through the years. How exciting it will be when we are all reunited in the Family and Kingdom of God. What joy. There is much we can say about the fun, laughter and yes, the trials we all shared, not to mention the inspiring words and teachings that Raymond McNair gave us all those years. How can we forget this dedicated servant of God. He was always kind, soft spoken and concerned about others, even during his illness. Again, he will be truly missed by all in our family.

In loving memory

John, Sharon & Curtis Ewing and Shawna & Matt Barry

This is the passing of an era, a period that goes back to Mr Armstrong, as we see a man who did not project himself. On his web page is credit to his teacher. His teacher taught all those who appear to have learned it by themselves. He endured unto the end without question. We give thought to his nurse, his loyal wife. Together they served God's people.

"Blessed in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his saints and no man lays it to heart." That's a man I won't forget.

Norman/Jean Harris, Belfast, UK

"Dear Mrs. McNair, words cannot express how very sorry I was to hear of the death of Mr. McNair.....Your husband was regarded with a great deal of effection by those of us in England who remembered him from early 60's. He taught us so faithfully and we were well grounded in the fundamental Truths. He has equipped us so well to stand faithfully and hold fast during some unstable and rocky times over recent years. Bob and myself always thought of him very fondly and were grateful for his fine example, loyalty, and committment. We were privileged to know him.... I found it really helps to reflect on how loved and cherished we were and the wonderful blessing of being married to honorable and courageous men. They left us such a sterling example of perserverance and loyalty. What a blessing!

Pat Devine, Derbyshire, England

We were very sad to hear this Feast of his passing. My sincere condolences. A veteran leader is gone. Too Bad more people didn't listen to him.

I first met and grew to admire Mr. McNair, a Pioneer Evangelist, at Ambassador in various courses. He impressed me not just with the diligence of his research, (which he held onto during the various Chuch splits) but his calm effective teaching style. He was a Minister you could talk to! I will remember, with a chuckle, how he had to gently correct me for my outlandish moustache (which I later trimmed).

He had at one time been researching the early history of the 12 Tribes, I hope that material is still intact! It was so like his sense of duty to hold on to material for the benefit of all God's People.

We will miss him!

John and Donna Yavelak Norcross, Georgia