'There are so many memories. I'll be thinking about things we've said and done ... forever.'
By Jeff Zhorne
The gospel was more than words for Pastor General Joseph W. Tkach, 68, who died Sept. 23 at 2:20 p.m. in Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena of complications from cancer. He loved the Lord with all his heart, all his soul and all his strength. He was a Christian first.
As mourners gathered at Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena Sept. 26, pockets of conversation echoed short eulogies: "loving," "faithful," "committed," "determined," "a man of courage."
Last Auditorium addresses
The pastor general's health seemed to resurge when he addressed brethren in the Auditorium A.M. and P.M. congregations Sept. 9. In the morning and in the afternoon he entered buoyant, and brethren rose clapping. It would be the last time most would see him alive.
On Tuesday, Sept. 19, a bout with nausea and headaches turned severe. Mr. Tkach was taken to the hospital, where doctors found a bruise on his brain. A hemorrhage kept expanding, causing pressure and at times excruciating pain.
His daughters, Tanya Horchak and Jennifer Butler, brought in his recliner and pictures to comfort him. "We took turns talking to him, talking in his ear," Jennifer said. "We did so much talking to him. 'Dad, you told me so many things,' I would say, and I have to believe he heard me."
Mr. Tkach Jr. said: "It was beautiful to have my mom, sisters and their husbands, and Tammy and I sitting around dad's bed. We all took turns whispering in his ear. My wife told him that his granddaughter, Stephanie, was at home and that she sang a hymn in his memory. A tear came out of the corner of my dad's eye."
After giving a progress report, Mr. Tkach's doctor said, "This is one beautiful man." Another doctor, after listening to Mr. Tkach's heart and sensing imminent death, put his hand on Mr. Tkach's forehead and said quietly, "Joe, I'll see you later."
Thursday evening, Sept. 21, Mr. Tkach's condition deteriorated rapidly. "Each hour he appeared 50 percent worse than he was the hour before," said Peter Lee, who assisted Mr. Tkach as a care giver.
Evangelist Dean Blackwell, a close friend of Mr. Tkach, talked to him about experiences they had shared over the years. "They say people in a coma can hear you, but it was frustrating not having him talk back because he was always the person I went to and talked to," Mr. Blackwell said.
Friday afternoon it became apparent that nothing else could be done. At 4 a.m. Saturday he went into a neurological coma and died at 2:20 p.m. Mr. Tkach's wife, Elaine, was holding his hand when he died.
Covering Mr. Tkach in the hospital was a blanket displaying the U.S. flag. Wrapped around the flag were words from the Pledge of Allegiance. Directly across Mr. Tkach's chest, just under his chin, were the words "liberty and justice for all."
Mitchell Vasseur, who served as steward on the church's BAC 1-11 jet, left these words on a dry-erase board in Mr. Tkach's hospital room: "A warrior was here."
Evangelist Bernie Schnippert conveyed the news of Mr. Tkach's death to brethren gathered for the afternoon service Sept. 23. After announcing Mr. Tkach's death, he asked brethren to join him in prayer.
"Death is terrifyingly real when it occurs," he said. "We were attached to his warm smile and effervescence. We search for words that seem to be inexpressible."
Services on the Festival of Trumpets were somber yet hopeful. In the afternoon J. Michael Feazell, executive assistant to Mr. Tkach since 1979, said: "In all the years he worked for the church, Mr. Tkach never missed a day of work until his gall bladder surgery last May. Nor did he ever take a vacation.
"His heart was in the work of God, and his labor in the Lord was not in vain," he added, visibly fighting back tears. "Mr. Tkach joins the ranks of those who have died in Christ. His vision was for a church that works, in which every member uses his or her God-given spiritual gifts for the upbuilding of the whole body and for the work of the gospel.
"Mr. Tkach constantly talked about the salt and light passages in Matthew 5, and the importance of letting the world see what faith in Jesus Christ does in the lives of his people."
After services brethren could view Mr. Tkach's body in the drawing room chapel at Mountain View Cemetery from 5 to 9 p.m. "So many people at the viewing said how thankful they were to the family for making it possible to see Mr. Tkach one last time," said executive assistant Ellen Escat. "Many couldn't get off work to attend the funeral the next day."
'A man for the times'
About 2,500 friends, family and well-wishers gathered at the southeast corner of Mountain View Cemetery for final rites Sept. 26. At 10:05 a.m. a kilt-clad Scotsman playing "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes led a processional across the lawn to the grave site. A black horse-drawn hearse was flanked by honorary pallbearers: Charles Albrecht, Peter Lee, Mathew Morgan, Michael Rasmussen, Mark Stapleton and Mitchell Vasseur.
The casket was carried by pallbearers Paul Butler and Douglas Horchak (Mr. Tkach's sons-in-law), Greg Albrecht, Dean Blackwell, Ralph Helge, Joseph Locke, David Ogwyn, Bernie Schnippert and Rick van Pelt.
After a chorus led by Dennis Pelley sang "Amazing Grace," Mr. Feazell gave an opening prayer. "We honor Joseph Tkach with our presence today. We thank you that he was a servant of Jesus Christ, a husband, a brother, a father, a grandfather, a disciple, a minister of Jesus Christ, a friend.
"We thank you for this man who yielded to you and who was empowered by the Holy Spirit," Mr. Feazell continued. "He did not flinch in the face of adversity. He did not compromise but followed his Commander in Chief. We thank you for this man who served and loved his country. Above all, we praise you for the life of this Christian soldier, a man who courageously followed Jesus, no matter the cost. He had a kindly heart and a love for people."
Mr. Pelley led the audience in singing the pastor general's favorite hymn, "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken." At 10:30 evangelist Herman Hoeh gave acknowledgements and the eulogy.
As Dr. Hoeh spoke, Mr. Tkach Jr.'s arm rested gently on the back of his mother. "There is an important lesson in acknowledging the life of Joseph Tkach: It is wise to extend a helping hand below and acknowledge the helping hands above--not climbing at the expense of others," said Dr. Hoeh.
He quoted U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909): "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes up short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumphs of achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
Dr. Hoeh continued: "James wrote one of the shorter letters preserved in the New Testament, which I would regard as the finest epitaph, to be limited to one, for Joseph Tkach. 'Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.' "
The chorus then sang "God Bless America," and director Ella Marie Schatz turned to the audience and beckoned all to join in. Dr. Hoeh returned to the lectern, reading from Mr. Tkach's last letter (Sept. 22) about the appointment of his son.
"The responsibility of leadership under Christ in the Worldwide Church of God is in the hands of Joseph Tkach Jr. at age 43. I would like all of you to remember what Mr. Tkach Sr. did, not only for those you know, but for the many you may not know, and ask that his son may be able with our help to continue the duty of a wise steward."
Dr. Hoeh then hugged Mr. Tkach Jr., and Mr. Albrecht began the interment prayer: "Our loving God, today we have been reminded of your amazing grace and that glorious things of you are spoken, two of Joseph W. Tkach's favorite hymns."
Mr. Albrecht continued: "He was a Christian servant who believed in pure religion, ministering to the fatherless. He ministered to the weak and the infirm. He loved senior citizens, the poor, the crippled and the homeless.
"Let it be said and known that Joseph W. Tkach gave our fellowship, the Worldwide Church of God, a heart for those in need. He gave us a social conscience, insisting that Christians remember the teaching of Christ, that to help the disadvantaged and the needy is to minister to Jesus himself," Mr. Albrecht prayed.
"May that memory burn brightly in our minds and our memories. May that legacy never leave us. Thank you for giving us a man for the times we have experienced, a man who did not live in the past, a man who did not retreat, a man who refused to be held hostage by tradition. He was a man who came to Christ on the troubled and stormy waters of change and transformation."
Mr. Albrecht continued: "We pray today for those who survive him, for his wife, Elaine, this dear lady who carries her own burdens. We pray that you would grant her understanding and acceptance of her loss. Comfort her, bless her with healing and peace and the love of not only her immediate family but her spiritual brothers and sisters around this world. And as her extended family gathers here today, we pledge her our commitment to care for her needs."
Mr. Albrecht asked God to pour out his spirit of love, wisdom, compassion and grace upon Pastor General Tkach. "May you give him discernment, judgment, understanding and mercy. Bless Mrs. Tammy Tkach, give her a serving and caring heart, and keep her close to you as she assumes new duties and expectations. May Joseph Tkach Jr. continue to lift up Jesus as Lord. As you have blessed his father, may you richly bless him."
Mr. Albrecht prayed: "We will leave his body behind, but we will take his memory and his legacy with us. We will, in his words, not only keep the faith, we will share it and we will spread it. We will proclaim Jesus Christ and the gospel of salvation, the good news that we have in Christ, the new life we have in him, the rest we have in him."
On behalf of the President of the United States and the United States Navy, Yeoman First Class Jeffery Gaines presented a flag to Mrs. Tkach, then held a salute while member Jerry Thornton played taps on the trumpet. Many of the family and those standing in the audience wept.
Dr. Hoeh concluded by asking the audience not to form a receiving line but to "move about freely and express your appreciation both now and later." The bagpiper then played another piece.
'He was my friend'
"He was more than my boss, he was my friend," said Peter Lee. "The only other time I felt such loss and pain was when my own father died. While Mr. Tkach's death was an awful experience, it was a tremendous blessing because much was learned. There are memories that can never be forgotten--precious, tender and lasting."
"I not only lost my boss but I also lost one of my best friends," said Mr. Locke, one of Mr. Tkach's executive assistants. "About 90 percent of the time when he traveled, I traveled.
"We walked together for the past 15 years. I was a sounding board for him. Most of it was listening to him talk. Once in a while he would ask my opinion, which I would give, but mostly it was listening, as a friend.
"My father died a number of years ago, and Mr. Tkach was like a father to me," Mr. Locke continued. "We have a lot of shared history. A comment his wife made, the day before he died, was, 'Let's start thinking of all the positive things and the pleasant memories we've had with him,' and she's right. We had some rough times and good times, but God has given us a human mind to retain the pleasant memories.
"He touched the lives of a lot of people in a positive way. I have Proverbs 3:27 on the wall of my office, not to withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. Mr. Tkach lived by that too, doing good to all people."
Mr. Blackwell commented: "Mr. Tkach was a man of courage who loved the truth. He wasn't afraid to change. My past 15 years have revolved around him. He would have me go to Detroit or Montana or Kansas or wherever. Before a trip, I talked to him about it, and afterward told him how it went.
"All of a sudden he's gone. I just feel a big emptiness and loss. I'll have to go on doing the same things, and I'll continue doing it because he encouraged me to do it. But he was my best friend for all these years," he said.
"When I first met him, he was 31. I baptized him and his mom and his dad and his wife, all on the same day. Then I baptized his sister and her brother, and I did his dad's funeral in 1963. I stayed with him when we'd come out on ministerial conferences. Sometimes I saw him more than I saw my wife."
History of the pastor general
Mr. Tkach was born March 16, 1927, and served in the Navy during World War II. He attended the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois, and worked for Hupp Aviation in Chicago from 1950 to 1963.
He married Elaine Apostolou March 31, 1951, and was baptized March 1, 1957. He was ordained a deacon in 1961 and a local elder in 1963. Mr. Tkach assisted with Chicago-area churches and helped establish several churches in the Midwest until 1966, when he left Chicago to attend Ambassador College in Pasadena.
He served in the Los Angeles, San Marino and San Gabriel Valley, California, congregations and started working in Ministerial Services in 1970. He was ordained a preaching elder in 1974 and assisted Dr. Hoeh in the Auditorium A.M. congregation from 1976 to 1979, and was ordained an evangelist by Mr. Armstrong in 1979.
He directed Ministerial Services from 1979 until Mr. Armstrong s death in 1986, at which time he became pastor general.
Mr. Tkach met a wide variety of dignitaries, civic leaders and performing artists. His friends included Gen. Jimmy Doolittle, Gen. Curtis LeMay, Pasadena resident Arthur Neff and Kitty Bradley, wife of the late Gen. Omar Bradley.
Mr. Tkach is survived by his wife, Elaine; three children, Joseph Jr., Tanya Horchak and Jennifer Butler; and nine grandchildren: Joe, 9, and Stephanie, 7, Tkach; Christine, 18, Gregory, 15, and Rebecca, 7, Horchak; and Janelle, 16, Joseph, 14, Jonathan, 5, and Jessica, 3, Butler.
'Where you go, I go'
Eva Clemons, a deaconess in Pasadena, worked for Mr. Tkach for 12 years until her stroke in 1986. "I was his legs because he'd send me to the widows and orphans to care for them. 'Where you go, I go,' he would say."
Mrs. Clemons said: "I took care of Mr. Tkach's sister and his mother before they died. We feel very much a part of his life."
Retired evangelist Leroy Neff said: "I'm shocked. A year ago I thought he would outlive me by 10 or 20 years. He was wiry and didn't have to sleep very much. Now he's dead and I'm still alive, and none of us know how long we have. It was very encouraging to see so many people there today."
Beside the casket, Ellen Escat and administrative assistant Michael Rasmussen spoke fondly about their boss. "I've been so blessed that if I'm never able to do anything or have another opportunity, I can honestly say I've had enough for a lifetime, serving him, going into church areas and seeing the excitement in the brethren and in him," Mike said. "There are so many memories. I'll be thinking about things we've said and done ... forever."
"He always stayed small in his own eyes," Ellen said. "It wasn't even in him to be conceited, arrogant or superior. His focus was always on someone else, not himself."
She continued: "Before he went into the hospital, we were all on shifts caring for him. We couldn't have done everything without the two nurses, Bob Harrington and Sherry Ellis," church members whose expertise and training proved to be essential.
"Sometimes he'd see our construction workers, Neil Kubon, Bob Dolan or Dean Hagelie, and say, 'Let's get the guys a drink.' Or he'd see David Slack and say, 'Take him out a soda.' "
As a care giver, Julie Stocker, an administrative assistant who often flew with Mr. Tkach and whom he had known from Chicago, sat with Mr. Tkach on a bench on the south side of the library beneath a tree. "He reflected on his boyhood days and told stories about dogs he had had," while Holly, his West Highland terrier, played close by.
"His life wasn't always easy, and he had trials and things to face, but he always kept going, looked ahead and didn't wallow," Julie said. "That's one thing I learned from him--no matter how bad it is, no matter the pain, keep looking ahead. Mr. Tkach didn't complain about the past."
Ellen added: "From all the backgrounds we come from, from our different families, I thought our staff all worked well together. I doubt if I'll ever experience it again and I'm glad I experienced it with him. He taught me what it was to be a real team and to work together in unity. Our staff really loved each other. We worked for one purpose: to serve him and the brethren."
Mike concluded: "He was easy to love."
Mel Olinger chauffeured Mr. Armstrong for 17 years and served nine years on Mr. Tkach's staff. He called the pastor general "a very loving, generous and compassionate boss to work for. I feel those three things signify his character so much.
"And he had a sense of humor. The last time he was in the office he looked at the obituary section in the paper and said, 'I guess I'm not dead yet because I'm not in the obituaries!' "
Mr. Olinger added: "It's been a very eventful and even rewarding time, even though there have been hard times. I've seen God's hand moving and after a while you get stable and established in the faith. Not that you could ever second guess what could happen, but you realize God has brought you through this much and will be with you the rest of the time."
Mat Morgan, who works in the Executive Office, commented: "Mr. Tkach taught me how to be a warrior for God because when he believed in something, nothing could stand in his way, regardless of how the wind blew. A gentle warrior sums him up."
"It was clear to me that any person who came in contact with Mr. Tkach took a little of Mr. Tkach away with them," said Charles Albrecht, international operations manager in Church Administration. "He always gave to others and I truly believe that whatever he gave included a piece of the gospel. After just a short time on his office staff, Mr. Tkach let me know that I was not just an employee but part of the family."
Mark Stapleton, an executive aide to Mr. Tkach and a flight attendant since March 1994, observed that Mr. Tkach was centered on other people. "He liked watching TV news and when he saw the sufferings and injustices in the world, he commented how much the world needed Christ, his love now and especially his speedy return."
"He gave himself to God and for God," said Mark's brother, Matthew, who works in Church Administration. "Mr. Tkach ably accepted the baton from Herbert Armstrong and carried it with the heart of a champion."
Love and patience
Around their dining room table, Jim and Margie Friddle, longtime servants in the church, spoke of Mr. Tkach's valor and charity. "We're not apprehensive. We're going to grow spiritually as well as numerically. I feel that to the bottom of my being," said Mr. Friddle.
Mrs. Friddle noted Mr. Tkach s genuine spirit. "What he did, what he said, what he felt, what he believed--that's what he was. He was a generous man who helped people."
Mr. Friddle said: "I was extremely sad to lose Mr. Tkach, he was like a father. But God knows what he's doing. It's called faith. Our job is to walk in faith and trust Jesus. Mr. Tkach had courage. He was a virtuous man with moral excellence and bravery, commitment and determination--courage and determination to conduct himself morally right toward God and man in the face of adversity, no matter what. I think that says it all."
Ralph Helge, the church's legal counsel and a close friend of Mr. Tkach, said Mr. Tkach exercised a military fortitude right to the time of his death. "He was a strong soldier committed to duty and had a willingness to stand up against those who would attack the church. Joseph Tkach was someone with grit and not willing to buckle at the first sound of threat."
Ron Kelly, director of Family Ministry, said: "I'm sure one of my most memorable moments, not only in my association with Mr. Tkach but in my living memory, will be his final meeting with the council of elders on Sept. 5.
"Mr. Tkach shared his deepest personal feelings and highlighted the blessings he had enjoyed in his nearly 40 years as a member of God's church, a deacon, elder, minister and pastor general.
"He said, 'I have no regrets. I remember the good times. I have been privileged to see the beginning of a golden age for the Worldwide Church of God.' Then he looked around the table to the 10 or 12 of us who were there that day and said: 'Most of all, I appreciate knowing and working with each one of you. You have been an inspiration to me personally and I consider it one of my life's greatest privileges to have worked along side all of you.'
"Those words will ring in my ears and motivate me the remaining days of my life," Mr. Kelly said.
Mr. Friddle added: "What we need more than anything else is vision, to know that God is going to bring about growth and love. We're just beginning. I know Mr. Tkach Jr. is up to it. He has already proven he's up to it. He has more patience and more love than any man I know."
Vince Szymkowiak, pastor of the Fort Worth, Texas, East and West churches, said: "Mr. Tkach Jr. has a brilliant mind and always treated me with kindness, patience, mercy and generosity. He has always been so very encouraging to me and my family. We love him deeply. I realize there rests upon his shoulders an awesome responsibility as our pastor general. But I am convinced God Almighty will supply all he needs to accomplish God's great work."
Service in Big Sandy
Big Sandy brethren gathered for a memorial service in the field house auditorium Sept. 26. Pastor Don Mears gave a sermon, and evangelist David Albert gave the eulogy. Edward Mauzey, dean of student affairs at Ambassador University, offered reflections, and David Wainwright, professor of French at AU, gave the prayer.
"He made a lot of big changes and a lot of small ones," said Dr. Albert. "One of the small changes was applause if you felt moved, so let's do that." Those in the audience stood, "and the clapping went on and on and on," said Greg Smith, director of Academic Publications for AU.
There is no way to tell it all. The story continues, the legacy never ends. In one sense, Mr. Tkach's life isn't over.
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