John 10:11-15, 27-30; Romans 8:31-39; Philippians 4:4-8, 19
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Dearly beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus our Lord, we are gathered here this day to remember and to give thanks to God our Father for Dennis Edward Gamble: Devoted husband, doting father, dependable friend, hard worker, wise mentor, comic genius, “The Godfather,” and one redeemed in the blood of Jesus Christ his Savior.
Dennis was born in Blackduck, Minnesota. I had to look that up. Blackduck is, shall we say, “up there” in Minnesota, nestled in the heart of the north-central part of the state appreciated for its natural beauty and abundant waterways, wooded trails, fish, and game. It’s no surprise then that Dennis was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing, hiking, and simply being out in nature enjoying God’s creation. Dennis especially enjoyed the outdoors with J.D. (Gerry Duffy). On one of their hunting excursions J.D. stepped on a skunk. Dennis told him he’d have to stick his foot out the window on the ride home because he wasn’t going to let that stink up his truck. One season when deer were afflicted with Chronic Wasting Disease Dennis bagged a deer and had it processed into venison sticks. When asked if he was concerned about the Wasting Disease Dennis replied, with subtle twitching movements, “I haven’t experienced any side effects.”
Dennis and Judy were married on March 1, 1980. They celebrated their 45th Anniversary this year. Dennis loved his family and loved attending his children’s school events, concerts, plays, and competitions, and simply spending time with them enjoying the outdoors, singing, and making jokes. Dennis and Judy were their biggest fans and supporters. They are so very proud of each of you.
I’ve only had the blessing of knowing Dennis and Judy since 2018 when they rejoined St. John after some time away. Early on I had no idea of their history in this congregation: Judy having served as church volunteer coordinator and organist, Dennis having served on the Board of Stewardship, etc. However, what was self-evident was that they were part of a tight-knit group of friends here including the Duffy’s, the Hilbert’s, the Lee’s, the Niehaus’s, and several others (not to leave anyone out). Dennis and Judy sang in the choir; I had no idea how Dennis liked to sing funny made-up songs for any occasion. Jean shared with me that Dennis once dressed up like Frankenstein for one of her Halloween student piano recitals and lead the children in singing and playing “The Monster Mash.” Get-togethers with friends would often find Dennis and J. D. harmonizing in an impromptu jam session. One time they dressed up like country folk and played and sang “Where, O Where Are You Tonight” from Hee-Haw, complete with bib overalls, a straw hat, and pitchforks. Dennis was known as “The Godfather” of the group due to his spot-on impersonation of Marlon Brando. He was also known for mixing strong drinks, particularly Irma’s. And Dennis was famous for his storytelling and his “Lena and Ole” jokes, told with a perfect Norwegian accent. I’m sorry that I missed out on many of those qualities in Dennis.
That is because, of course, it wasn’t long after that Dennis began to exhibit some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Mercifully, that disease is relatively slow-progressing, but it effects a change in personality and mental clarity, along with motor skills, nonetheless. The Dennis I began to know was a kind, gentle, and faithful man, but I wouldn’t have guessed him the jokester, singer, and general life of the party I’ve learned him to be from other’s anecdotes and memories. I considered Dennis more the strong, silent type. But I could tell that he was kind, gentle, and faithful, like I said. Those qualities were self-evident even if some of his other qualities became somewhat muted. Dennis and Judy were in church regularly receiving the Lord’s gifts in Word and Sacrament. Eventually that became less frequent, and sometimes Judy would come without Dennis. So, I began to visit them at home. Dennis became noticeably thinner and even more quiet, but he still desired to hear God’s Word and to receive Christ’s body and blood for the forgiveness of his sins and the strengthening of his faith. Dennis’ hunger and thirst for the Lord’s gifts was sustained until the end.
I never heard Dennis complain. Perhaps he did from time to time, that would be expected, but I never heard it. Dennis had a quiet dignity about him, and he seemed content and at peace, often even hopeful and thankful. We heard in our reading a moment ago, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Is there any doubt that Dennis had that peace which passes our understanding? “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Dennis did just that. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
I regularly reminded Dennis of the Lord’s promises to him that cannot be broken, even as I remind you now: “I will never leave you or forsake you.” “I am with you always, unto the end of the age.” “Nothing can separate you the love of God in Christ Jesus.” “If God is for us, then who can be against us?” The answer, of course, is no one. Therefore, “I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Dearly beloved family and friends of Dennis Gamble, Dennis is a sheep in the Good Shepherd’s flock, and our Lord has called him home to where His sheep may safely graze. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” “If God is for us,” and He is, “then who can be against us?” What do we have to be anxious about or to fear?
Devoted husband, doting father, dependable friend, hard worker, wise mentor, comic genius, “The Godfather,” – Though Dennis was all those things and more, while those may be his qualities and characteristics we remember, that is not what brings us comfort and hope today. Today, and every day, our comfort and hope is in the fact that Dennis is one redeemed in the blood of Jesus Christ his Savior. He was baptized into Jesus, confessed his faith in Jesus, died in Jesus, and he is with Jesus now and forevermore. And more than that, Jesus is still calling His sheep by name to give them eternal life. Jesus has laid down His own life for Dennis, and for all His sheep, for you, that none should perish, but that all who trust in Him should live with Him in His kingdom forever. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
In the + Name of Jesus. Amen.
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