| Dear
Bro. John Haster, I want to take this opportunity to formally introduce myself. My name is Terrence Dotzler and I am the grandnephew of Bro. Ray. I am disappointed that we were unable to meet on my trip to the Bay area and again at Bro. Ray's funeral. I dearly wanted to attend, but as you probably know my new job prevented that. My dad and Uncle Jack spoke graciously of you for all of your help in taking care of our dear uncle. My dad and I arrived home from our respective trip to California and Dallas the same day. I was returning from training and he was coming back from Bro. Ray’s funeral. When I walked through the door that night both my parents were sitting at the kitchen table and told me to sit down. At that moment my Dad presented me with the greatest gift I have ever received and I have you to thank for that. Almost six years ago I received the honor of receiving my grandfather John's watch when he passed on. That was a great honor to me. Now six years later, I have received a watch of another great man that helped shape my life. To be able to have both of their watches will serve as a constant memory of both of their lives. After taking the watch out of the envelope, I got up to get a tissue
and my dad told me that there was something else in the envelope that
I did not see. I reached into the envelope and pulled out the ring. At
this point I broke down. My dad then informed me that the ring usually
does not go to the family, instead it goes back into the Order for another
Brother. I want to thank you for giving me this precious gift. I plan
on using his ring as my wedding ring when that time comes. I cannot think
of a better thing than using his ring to symbolize everything that marriage
should be. Uncle Ray took a vow to serve the Lord 73 years ago. There
must have been difficult times just like there are hard times in marriage.
Uncle Ray stayed faithful to the Lord in a way that every man should
stay faithful to his wife. The love he had for God was second to none
and he lived his life to serve God. The ring is in a special box in my
room. I will not wear it until I am ready to make a commitment to a wife
the way Uncle Ray made a commitment to God. |