“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.” – 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Michael Eudy died yesterday. He was seventy-three years old. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, neighbor, church elder, and he was my father-in-law. Mike grew up in the humble house of a western North Carolina textile worker. He was a smart, determined, and independent young man that with very little financial means made his way to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. At UNC, Mike met a young nurse, Linda, and the two married. When Mike graduated from the School of Pharmacy, he and Linda moved to the mountains of NC to begin his lifelong work as a Pharmacist.
After college Mike and Linda became Christians and began a family, eventually having twin sons and a daughter. Much could be said to describe the details of his life, but I prefer to ask, “Who was Mike Eudy?”
Mike was a Christian. Everything about Mike’s life was shaped around being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Mike was serious about knowing and understanding the Bible. He was devout in holiness, full of joy, and a man of prayer. Mike was a founding member of Grace Alliance Fellowship, where he faithfully served as an elder and Bible teacher for decades. Mike was a pillar and support of the truth, loving Jesus His Savior and serving the people of the local church with persevering joy.
Mike was a loving husband and father. He was devoted and faithful to one good Christian woman his entire life – his wife of fifty years – Linda. Enduring love of this type has always been rare, and only comes to pass as a work of the Lord. Mike and Linda went through many of life’s struggles but took heart always in Jesus Christ who has overcome this world (John 16:33). Mike led and provided, while Linda made a true home full of hospitality, education, home cooked food, and Christian fellowship. Mike’s twin sons would eventually join their father in his local pharmacy business, working together in prosperous partnership for many years. Mike had a special and tender love for his only daughter, Maria, my wife.
Mike was an independent man, a hard-working risk-taking businessman. He was smart with numbers, frugal with his money, and exacting with details. Through many years of discipline and industry, he and Linda achieved many of their life-long dreams without debt. Mike sought after the classic American dream – a good plot of land all his own, some cattle, a tractor to cruise around on, and a pond to fish in. By the grace of God, he and Linda achieved these goals, including building his own home. Much of the house he built himself, including a walnut paneled library which was paneled by walnut cut from his land and milled by his own hand. A long journey of success from where he began!
Mike was a great American and a passionate patriot. He loved, and fought to preserve, the Christian constitutional foundations of this great country. He zealously encouraged others to learn about the founding of America and care about principled governance. He understood the necessary connection between Christian moral character and constitutional government. One cannot exist without the other.
Mike did not plan to die this week. Man knows not his time (Ecclesiastes 9:12). He was suddenly taken to the Emergency Room and had to be put on a ventilator due to aggressive pneumonia. He didn’t have any final conversations with anyone – but he didn’t need to. He didn’t need to resolve things or make things right. He had lived with resolution and conducted himself with honor. His wife knew he loved her and was left well provided for. He had no embarrassing secrets to hide, instead a long line of people coming forward to speak of his Christian character and goodness. He was an honorable man that finished his life well. He went out with his boots on, which was the way he wanted it.
He is now unquestionably with Jesus Christ. Not by some vague notion, but by faith in the finished atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Because of the resurrection power of Jesus, Mike now also lives, even though he has died (John 11:25-27). What was faith is now sight. What was seen dimly and from afar, is now seen face to face (1 Corinthians 13:9-13).
“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe In Him and rejoice with joy inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”– 1 Peter 1:8-9
We all miss you Mike, but we will see you again soon in glory!
Vic