Psalms 34 (1-8) I will bless the lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the lord: the humble shall hear therefore, and be glad. 0 magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. 1 sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivered them. O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. I stand before you today a representative of a family in grief. We are united not only in our desire to pay respect to Uncle T, Daddy, Mr Gregory, Mass Teaty, Sargie or Family but rather in our need to do so. We give thanks for the life of a man I am proud to call my uncle, the unique, the stubborn, the extraordinary, irreplaceable, whose beauty both internal and external will never be extinguished from our minds. Theophilous Gregory was born on October 7, 1929 to Sabrina and Joseph Gregory (Muma and Old Joe) in Main Ridge Clarendon was 8 out of 9 siblings. He attended the Main Ridge Elementary School as a youth and grew up showing his love for tilling the soil and carpentry. He is the father of 4 wonderful children, six step children and 13 grand children, three of whom are from his own children. I asked what his characteristic was like at the time. He was stern, ruled with an Iron fist, impatient, the desire to get what he wants, how he wants it, when he wants it, and now, a real charmer of ladies. During this time he was provided the opportunity to travel. He migrated to England at the age of 30. He did many odd and non stick jobs but continued his first love for carpentry. He met and married Dorette Binger and the union produced 3 beautiful children Beverley, Nigel and Paulette. A few years after the birth of the children the family returned to Jamaica for a visit and remained while he stayed behind in the UK: He then joined the rest of the family and soon after they were separated: He was left with an enormous responsibility to care for 3 young children but God was faithful as he bought home his nephew and family who helped him for a short while to nurture the children. The sadness in his life was always evident; we would laugh and giggle when the need arises but the sadness lingers. He committed himself to his work of carpentry and farming where he no doubt found fulfilment. He worked with passion and strength on a mission to accomplish the evitable. He encouraged excellence and with great anticipation encouraged the need and drive for success. With a future so uncertain, I couldn't imagine what life was for him at such a vulnerable time. Few years after, his mom Muma came to assist with the children, the smiles returned, the tension subsided and life returned to normalcy, but that wasn't the end of it. "This period of his life gave him the title of Trout Hall's most eligible bachelor and indeed he was. He was in demand or well sought after or 'was it the other way'. Some things happened at this time that changed his life forever." I will leave you to ponder that for a while. Uncle T at this time was looking for fulfilment. He wanted change, he knew what he wanted though unsure of how it would unfold. Twice he visited his brother Sonny in Main Ridge and saw this beautiful brown lady. He went up to her and say "what a pretty brown lady like you doing in this place?" He wanted to talk to her she said write. He said I wont, we will see each other and there began an extraordinary relationship. At this time the family new nothing except the trips to Main ridge became more frequent. We were home one day and he brought her home and introduced her to us. The stars began to shine again, the smiles returned. It was a critical time for the family but God would have it so love bought them together. He held the reigns until character motioned him to seal the relationship and that he did in 1984. To Ms Ethel, I asked Ms Ethel what he was like, as a husband she said very caring, loving and kind. He always apologized for anything he did wrong; he was changed for the better. He was an Epiphany of true love to his family he appears to shine on the outside but weak and fragile inside. He knew how to love and cry; he was a man. His life was almost complete. In 1995 Uncle T gave his life to the Lord. With his life by his side, she encouraged persistency; he became an active member at the Shiloh Apostolic Church. He had a readiness to learn great ideas and grew in strength and power. His profound determination for heaven was quite evident. In 2002 April, he went and visited the children in England and there unfold some things beautiful. The things that changed his life were bonding with RoseAnn whom we called lovingly the serosey baby. I watched slides of him and the children and grandchildren which at this time bonded. On August 27th' he was diagnosed with a terminal illness; this bought a cloud of pain and sadness over the entire family because we've been past this way before. He was scared and afraid, vulnerable. We prayed, hoped and trusted God for healing but God had another plan for him. There were so many visits and phone calls from his church, family and friends. Family came together to offer hope, love and help but at this critical time his life was balanced in the hands of his heavenly father. His desire to fight got dimmer and everyday day the fears began to be replaced with strength and hope. His courage to fight didn't matter any more because as on December 29th as his loving wife sat at his beside and sang "Never grow old in a land where we'll never grow old" he said sing more. He began to accommodate the presence of his almighty father that he now longs to see. She encouraged him to pray and praise the Lord. He began to praise the highest praise, Halleluiah. He was now viewing his home where there was no sickness, no sorrow, no more pain. He began to long for heaven; he spoke in tongues as the spirit gave him utterance. Miss Ethel was sitting on the porch, he called her and said you're staying away too long. He wanted to keep the channels open for his family. Human and spiritual love was personified; it was emerging into a spiritual plateau. He called for his grandchildren, David and Kadian, he being the human guardian was sealing the values he taught. He said behave, avoid bad company, abide by the rules and study hard. He said thank you too Sis and Bro Gale and happy good bye. His spirit was now being positioned for takeoff. Miss Ethel left one morning and told him, I'm going to Frankfield, he said go the tables were turned, she feared she would not make it before he was gone. Later that day he said, 1 have one more river to cross but before he crossed that all the family and friends he wanted to know how appreciative he was for everything. He who is mortal and visible to Christ, whose death could not hold him in the tomb at ... he burst forth yes he saw him, Uncle T saw him and recognise that he is no more bound by sickness for Christ arose triumphantly yes he went up through the 1st heaven up to the 2nd heaven up to the 3rd, he tapped the guard and said lift up your head oh ye gates and he be lifted up, ye everlasting doors and the king of Glory shall come in. The keeper not understanding asked, who is this king of glory. He replied, the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle, lift up your heads o ye gates even lift them up ye everlasting doors and the king of glory shall come in, who is this king of glory. The Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory and then it was sealed. Yes, that is what he saw that captivated him, he had a message for you Uncle Bill, he wanted you to prepare to meet him and no doubt Mass Babe, yes Uncle Sonny, Yes Cova , Yes Trevor, Yes Pershia, Nigel Daddy wanted you prepare to meet him; for on that day He will answer and He will be waiting for you. Yes, he said prepare to meet me. That very might he spoke in tongues as the Spirit gave Him utterance right through the night he saw the beautiful stars, the bright lights, the very land he always read about. The angels were ready waiting and getting excited to escort him. He asked for one more drink and emphasized this will be the last time I will ask for a drink and on Sunday January 6th approx. 3:35AM he succumbed to death. Today his spirit is secured in the presence of God. Knowing this we have a hope that one of these days we will meet him. This is no fantasy, it is reality May his soul rest in peace. At this time the children would like to take the opportunity to thank Carol, Irene and Claude for their undying love and effort, late nights and much courage and strength to promote dignity to Uncle T along with Miss Ethel. And to everyone who contributed to this cause To the family, you came through when we needed you most and we are thankful. As daddy wouldn't have it any other way. He died knowing that his family would be here in every way. Thank you God and be blessed. In a harbour of ships one was setting forth on a voyage the other coming home to port. Every one cheered the ship going out but the ship sailing in was scarcely noticed to this a wise man said, Do not rejoice over a ship getting out to sea, for you cannot know what storms it may encounter, rather rejoice over the ship that has safety reached port and bring its passengers home in peace.