I met Fred Westlund 13 years ago at Pine Mountain Christian Community Church in the sanctuary he helped build. Fred built many buildings and homes in PMC but the church was his favorite. It was his labor of love and he could always be found tending it.
When we built my new offices, Fred volunteered to help coordinate and manage the contractors. I cannot imagine having completed the project without him. Much more important to me, however, is Fred's service in the AWANA program and as a leader to my children.
This week, Pastor Roger Reece led us in a celebration of the life and homegoing of Fred Westlund. Fred's daughter shared one of her [many] favorite memories of her dad - that he used to hold his hymnal upside down and while singing with her - just so her mom, Pat, which was in the choir would see. She asked that as a tribute to her father, we sing the closing hymn with our hymn books upside down.
Fred was an encouragement to me and my family and always had a joke to share with anyone who would listen. Fred love to make people laugh, and we did plenty of that at his memorial service as people told some of his favorites.
Fred was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. I'll miss him. The Bible says that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord; I take comfort in knowing that Fred's resting in the arms of our heavenly Father.
Fred's Obituary
Discussion/Comments (5):
My Lord sent Fred on mission one day 11 years ago. He sent His bondservant to a man who was lost. I am that man. And now, in this moment in time, I rejoice in the goodness of God once again.
The testimony of the Lord was in this man. Fred was never one who burdened himself with religion. He lived for the Lord simply and joyfully. The Lord from time to time brings me back to the day that Fred walked up to me in my garden and planted some seed. Today is another one of those days. As the tears swell and my heart is quickened, I know that I must go and plant as this man who has gone before me.
Your brother in Christ
Jeff
Posted at 11/12/2007 17:29:15 by Jeff Marshalek
Fred was a dear friend and neighbor. We will miss him greatly. He brightened up any room and was a wonderful person. God bless his dear family.
The Groses
Posted at 12/31/2007 13:14:22 by Jerry and Shirley Grose
I thought of Fred yesterday in church when a woodpecker started attacking the outside of the church. In days gone by, Fred would have excused himself from the service to handle the problem with a smile.
Posted at 01/02/2008 0:08:09 by Eric Mack
I Remember When I was 5 My sisters would come home laughing about the jokes he told them.
Posted at 10/11/2008 15:10:34 by Kelly Mack
Thanks for this Eric, I've just discovered it. When I was eight, my cousin Fred was eighteen, and he loved to make me smile. If I admired some interesting gadget on his desk, he sometimes gave it to me just to see me smile. Later I laughed at his jokes, as we all did. He held things lightly, and he loved to see you smile.
Posted at 02/18/2009 8:56:35 by Joe Gilman
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