|
ANNOUNCEMENT
Dr. Roderick C. Meredith
1930 - 2017
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dr. Roderick C. Meredith, Presiding Evangelist of the Living Church of God. He had been suffering from cancer and died peacefully late Thursday night, May 18, 2017. He would have been 87 years old in June and took his 67th Passover this year. He is survived by his 6 children, 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Dr. Meredith was one of the first evangelists ordained by Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong in 1952 and spent 64 years in the Work that Christ began through Mr. Armstrong. He was active in the Work until recent months. The Living Church of God, which Dr. Meredith raised up, has more than 350 congregations in 55 countries worldwide. He is succeeded as Presiding Evangelist by Mr. Gerald E. Weston.
Even after the partial paralysis of a stroke in 2008, Dr. Meredith pushed himself to continue to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God to the world and to shepherd the flock. His greatest wish was for the Work in which he labored for so long to go forward in unity and power under Jesus Christ. We look forward to seeing him again in the resurrection at Christ’s return.
The funeral is scheduled for Sunday, May 28 with Mr. Richard F. Ames presiding. An additional announcement will be made with details.
The family requests that donations be made to the Living Church of God in lieu of sending flowers.
Prayers are requested for God’s comfort and peace for his beloved family.
Cards may be sent to:
% Living Church of God
PO Box 3810
Charlotte, NC 28227
|
Bob Gerringer (1967)
I posted this tribute to Rod Meredith on the General Message Forum, May 21, 2017. I was able to locate it on the GMF, and so will post it here on his In Memory page:
Fellas and gals!
I have always had a fondness for the Golden Gloves Boxing Champion from Joplin, and, as we have read here, Rod Meredith is sadly no longer with us. My grandparents were pioneer members of the San Diego church, having each of the evangelists-in-training stay at their Chula Vista home when the young men came down from Pasadena to speak at Sabbath services; and that continued after those men were ordained and progressing in their ministries. That is how Grandma and Grandpa became good friends with Rod and Margie, and later through Grandma I got to know the Merediths well.
Rod Meredith was perhaps the most dependable and unwavering disciple HWA ever had. Although for the past 42+ years I have disagreed theologically with Rod in every way, I have nevertheless always respected his steadfastness, his consistency, and IMO his relatively hypocrisy-free adherence to both the letter and the spirit of the Radio/Worldwide Church of God. He was as loyal to HWA as they come, and I think he really tried to “practice what he preached”. I listened to the RCM sermon link Jim Tabor provided (post #4535), and yes, it sounded very, very familiar.
My freshman year I eagerly looked forward to every one of Mr. Meredith’s Church History lectures, and even though his lecturing style did not appeal to everyone, I was captivated by his intensity, tickled (and occasionally shocked) by his iconic habits/stories/digressions, and taken by the devious twinkle in his eye which shone through those thick glasses. I came to AC looking for fervency, and RCM delivered!! He was always part of my AC/WCG experience: Rod Meredith baptized me and Rod Meredith disfellowshipped me!
Rod’s first wife, Margie McNair, was a wonderful, bright, and impressive woman. And Rod was an honest, sincere, and unforgettable man.
Robert Fenstermacher (1967)
Nicely put Bob. You captured Rod's quirkiness, energy and dedication to a tee.
I got to know Rod during college when he wrote a personal letter to me taking me to task for driving a motorcycle from Pasadena to Pennsylvania for the summer by myself. I would have thought he might have found it somewhat brave if not a bit stupid.
At that time, I was still in awe of the ministry, so I dutifully apologized and got to come back for my junior year.
After graduation, I inherited his auto insurance account from Courier Insurance and came to understand that everyone, minister or lay person, is just another human being with good points and flaws.
It was good for me to understand that.
He was certainly dedicated to his beliefs and church. Perhaps, he'll find that all is not black or white according to an archaic compilation of doctrines.
Again, Bob, nicely said and your appreciation for the man is certainly understandable.
Best,
Bob Fenstermacher