John David Harrell III, Aug 26, 1957 – June 30, 2008

On Monday night, June 30, 2008, a bright light departed. John was my buddy. He was one of my closest friends, and probably among the best friends of many people who knew him. He was in good health, always upbeat and filled with optimism. His death at 50 from an aortal aneurism was sudden, unexpected, shocking.

On hearing the news, one of our mutual friends, John Wotherspoon, said, I think about that guy every day. How can it be that he is gone?  When someone dies, they are never replaced.  The space John filled in our lives will never be filled by someone else. 

Still, we go on.

John Harrell, III

Service

At work, in his neighborhood, and in his friendships and dating relationships, John lived to serve.  Probably none of us that knew him knows the extent of all the ways he gave freely and without expectations of reciprocity.

His Book

John was generous with his learning.  For the last 7 or 8 years of his life, John spoke often of his unpublished book, Running and Being Love, Living the Runner’s High. The title captures what he sought to live and desired for others.

John, thank you for all the times we shared.

I don’t know if you were a Christian, for we never spoke of salvation by faith in Christ alone as the only way. How I hope that you had that faith, and that you are with Him now.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. – John 14:6