We grew up roaming the halls of this building. Running up and down the seemingly large staircase to the office labeled “Pastor Dave McIntyre.” To most, that was the title he was known by and the title most will remember him by, but to us, he was always Daddy first.
Our Dad taught us many things throughout our lives that have shaped who we are and who we still aspire to be. Some are serious but some are funny. Dad taught us to always be creative when it comes to Halloween costumes, and to never be afraid to laugh at yourself…even if that means the whole church gets to laugh along with the sermon illustration. He taught us it’s never a bad idea to have an absurd amount of jolly ranchers in your office and to never give up on our Dallas Cowboys and Michigan football teams. He taught us to have a healthy love of Sunday afternoon football, and to never interrupt with questions until commercials because he was in the “football zone.” He taught us how to stack wood properly, how to effectively rake leaves into a tarp, and how to cut the grass on a rider mower. (We learned how to avoid doing all three on our own) He tried to teach us to have a love of action movies, but we ended up usually watching something like Pride and Prejudice or You’ve Got Mail. Our Dad often rolled his eyes at his ridiculous girls, but we never felt more love than we did from our Daddy growing up.
In addition to all the funny life lessons, Dad taught us about integrity. Whether playing board games when we were children, or when we begged to go to China Town to buy fake coach purses, Dad always told us to live in a way that was pleasing to God. This integrity also bled into the way he treated people in his life. Dad was always honest and open with people who came to him in his office or approached him after church. There were times he couldn’t agree with their actions, or what they believed, but he always spoke the truth in love.
Throughout our lives Dad also lived out having a servant’s heart and made that something that we desired as well. No job was too small for Dad to do at Calvary Church. We remember stuffing bulletins on a Saturday night, turning off lights and securing the church after everyone had gone home, hosting numerous families for holidays, and even cleaning up coffee spills during Sunday School. Dad was a servant and throughout his life, made sure that we knew God’s desire for servant’s hearts as well.
It’s no secret that Dad had the gift of writing. Expressing himself through words is one of the main ways we can all remember him. As Dad wrote sermons, he poured out the words the Holy Spirit laid on his heart for the people of Calvary Church. We also benefitted from many a letter and short email or note that came our way during difficult moments as we grew up. Dad always seemed to know exactly what to say to express his love…and make us cry. We’ve recently realized that we’re not the only ones who received cards, emails, or letters during difficult moments. His writing always had an underlying note of love and this is another lesson we’ve learned from him. Dad loved people and showed that love in whatever way he could. We hope to continue to love in the way he loved…the way that Christ loved.
Most importantly, Dad taught us how to live as Christ would in our daily lives. Through his love for people, his solid and unwavering faith in his Savior, and his servant’s heart Dad tried to be Jesus and encouraged others to do the same. We would be remiss to not express Dad’s passion for Jesus Christ and his life’s mission to try and make sure that everyone else got to know Him as well. We never would have wished our father to have cancer, and worse yet, to die from it, but we also are continually amazed to see the amount of lives that Dad touched during his fight with the disease. Many a doctor, nurse, and random other patient was softly spoken to by Dad. He made them smile with his sense of humor and made them think as he witnessed to them through his words and actions. His heart’s desire to spread Christ has become our hearts desire. We want you all to see our Dad again, and to rejoice with us one day in heaven.
Our Dad is an amazing man. His legacy will live on in our lives and in many others as well. Some will remember his smile, others his voice as he led the church in song. There may be some that remember a specific sermon he gave, or a note or scripture he shared. For us, we remember the way he called us Squirt, Peanut, and Munchkin. We remember the sound of the garage door when he came home from work. We remember the way he laughed at a really funny story, and the way he held us when we cried. We remember holding his hand and we remember the way he would say, “I love you so much.” It was our honor and privilege to share our Dad with you and we’re glad we won’t be the only ones that remember him. We love you Daddy, we always will.
