Today is my Dad's 85th birthday. What a life he has lived! I'm so proud of him and everything that he has accomplished. I can't think of a better way for you to know my dad than by sharing this letter with you.
Dear Dad,
Happy 85th birthday! What an incredible life full of accomplishments and milestones.
I have been reflecting this week on all the wonderful memories I have as a result of your life. It was so important that you took me with you when I was a little boy and let me experience the thrills and joys of your life first hand with you . . . it was contagious.
Do you remember the trip to Oklahoma City where you preached and then took me to Turner Falls the next day . . . what a happy memory.
What about the time at Lake Texhoma youth camp when you killed the snake at the concession stand and draped it over a stump knowing that as soon as the service concluded I would run right up to that stump . . . I must have jumped back ten feet at least.
Remember driving all night from Greenville to Houston the night before Thanksgiving to spend the day at a pastor’s conference. Dr. Vick passionately asked for missions’ commitments and even though I was only ten years I didn’t know that I wasn’t supposed to make a pledge. I remember standing and pledging $100 (that I didn’t have) and Dr. Vick said, “God bless you 
Vernon, I wish your dad had ten more sons just like you.”
Thank you for using your life to expose me to godly men that had a great impact on me. Men like Dr. Vick, John Rawlings, Noel Smith, David Cavin, Doug Moore, Chief Oceola, Jack Baskins, and John R. Rice.
I was so proud of you the night you preached the dedication service of the little church we had just built in Mexico and over 100 people accepted Christ. What a night! And now forty years later I am still building churches and distributing Bibles all over the world.
You have given me a lifetime of precious memories. Governor Love speaking at Park Hill. I really knew you were a big deal that day. You preaching at Temple Baptist in Detroit. I didn’t realize what a big deal it was until I had an opportunity to do so. Sitting in the White House offices with you listening to Ronald Reagan talk to us. You being at my bedside for all my cancer surgeries and the wonderful letter you wrote that is now my prized possession. Thank you for all the wonderful memories and for investing your life in me.
You have taught me the joy of giving because you are the most generous person I know. You have shown me how to love people. How many times did we go to the airport in Honolulu to say goodbye to friends?
You have always been such a positive person and that is why you are still going strong. You taught me how to deal with discouragement when you had friends turn their backs to you, church splits, and even your stroke. But none of that stopped you! You never, never quit . . . Wow!
Thank you for not giving up on me during my rebellious years. I know I caused you grief and I am still deeply sorry. Thank you for loving me unconditionally.
You have brought good news to the suffering and afflicted. You have indeed brought comfort to the broken hearted, and declared liberty to the captives. You have helped Him bring beauty from ashes, joy instead of mourning, and praise instead of sadness.
Thank you for your lifetime of hard work and for being such a fine example to follow.
Dad, you have spent your life serving God. You have been a shepherd to thousands and a godly leader. You have invested in the lives of students. Your life has touched thousands and thousands of people. Only eternity will reveal the depth and scope of 85 years!
I am trying to follow in your footsteps and instill in Josh what your life instilled in me. My prayer is that God will do for him what He did for me when you took me there.
I just hope that someday Josh will be able to say what I say today . . . “I am so proud of my Dad. I am the luckiest man in the world.”
Happy Birthday to my #1 hero
Love,
Vernon