Author: GCI Media

District and church pastor Arnold Clauson died peacefully at home on April 26, with family at his side, just three days after his 70th birthday. He had been battling prostate cancer since last summer. The schedule of funeral services is given at the end of this post. Following is a short biography written in tribute to Arnold by his daughter, Rachelle Clauson. It includes quotes from Arnold’s notes about his life.

Dad was born to Sam and Nellie Clauson on April 23, 1944, in Hendricks, Minnesota. Sam’s family had immigrated to the U.S. from Norway in 1885. Dad already had four brothers and a sister when he came into the world, with another sister to follow. He was the first of his siblings to be born in a hospital. The family lived in a three-room farmhouse on the rocky prairie four miles outside Astoria, South Dakota. They had a family garden and lots of animals but no electricity or running water; they used a wood-burning stove, an outhouse and a well.

Dad wrote, “My childhood was filled with the carefree spirit characterized by many who grew up ‘on the farm.’” Those years of living and working on the farm shaped many of the qualities that benefited Dad and the people he served throughout his life.

Dad met Mom at Ambassador College, where they worked together in the transportation department. Fifteen years ago, Dad wrote: “I gained many life-long friends during my years at Ambassador. But by far the best one is the one I asked to be my wife, Patricia Ann Panella. We got serious during my last year of college and began to plan toward marriage. On June 8, 1969, at 12 o’clock, it happened. We said ‘I do’ and have continued to do so for the past 30 years!” This year marks the 45th anniversary of my parent’s marriage and their abiding commitment to the life they built together. Their first child, my sister Shari, came along in July 1970. I was born in June 1973, and Stephanie came in November 1983.

Dad began serving in ministry in 1968. He was a ministerial trainee in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma, and then in Peoria and Champagne, Illinois. Then he served for a time as a local elder in Cleveland, Ohio. Thereafter, he was the senior pastor in Erie, Pennsylvania; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Enid, Oklahoma; Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Paducah, Kentucky; Denison, Texas; Paris, Texas; Antlers, Oklahoma; and Dallas, Texas. My parents then lived in Pasadena, California for a sabbatical in 1978.

Dad was a faithful and dedicated servant to all of his congregations, both within and outside the walls of the church. He is loved by many, many people. Dad is well known for his solid leadership, his skillful yet unassuming style of speaking, his song leading, and counseling. Others remember his exceptional talent for organization and coordination, which contributed to well-planned District Family Weekends, volleyball and basketball clinics, DELs meetings, Regional/District/New Pastor Conferences, festival worship services, SEP canoe trips, YES camps and rock climbing adventures. He combined these abilities with his proficiency in all manner of technological devices and equipment to produce color-coded manuals, filing systems, sound system solutions, PowerPoint presentations, conference schedules and church bulletins.

Others know Dad for his skills as a carpenter, handyman and consummate do-it-yourselfer, who turned visits to widows and church members into opportunities to fix anything that was broken in their homes. He worked tirelessly on expanding the Grace Communion Church hall for the Dallas North congregation, just as he did on countless other construction projects over the years. He gave his all to everything he did, never quitting when challenges arose. He was able to “MacGyver” a solution to almost any problem—one of his all-time favorite phrases was, “The impossible just takes a little longer!”

Finally, I know that many have been touched simply by the warm smile and willing hand that Dad extended to all those he met in his time on earth, whether they be stranger or friend. He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.

Funeral Arrangements

Arnold’s family warmly invites you to join in honoring and celebrating his life at any of the following events:

• Visitation: 6:00-8:00 pm Friday, May 2, American Funeral Services, 4312 West Crawford Street, Denison, TX 75020.
• Graveside Committal Service: 1:30 pm Saturday, May 3, Fairview Cemetery, 1501 Hwy 91 N., Denison, TX 75020.
• Remembrance Service: 3:00 pm Saturday, May 3, Harvest Time Assembly of God, 222 S. Heritage Pkwy (FM 1417), Sherman, TX 75092. A reception and fellowship follow at 4:00-6:00 pm.

To sign the digital guestbook on the funeral home website, click here.

Flowers may be sent to the funeral home:

American Funeral Services

4312 West Crawford Street

Denison, TX 75020

Cards for Arnold’s family may be sent to:

Trish Clauson

109 Melrose Cir

Denison, TX 75020-2697

In the last issue of Weekly Update we requested prayer for John Halford. Here is an update from John’s daughter, Becki Halford Brown.

Tests show that Dad has stage three esophageal cancer. He is scheduled to start radiation and chemotherapy soon—going five days a week for five weeks. He will then have a couple weeks of rest, then surgery. That will be followed by more rest then additional chemotherapy. The bottom line is that Dad is in for a rough six months, but we are optimistic that he will get through this and will be back to his old self soon.

Doctors have given Dad something to help with his nausea to increase his appetite. We are praying this works because he is weak due to losing a lot of weight.

The cards and letters that have been sent to him from all over the world are covering his mantel and Mom is having to find more space to put them. Dad has expressed time and time again that he is overwhelmed by all the kind words and prayers from you all. It has been such an encouragement to him. Thank you all so much. I will keep you posted on his progress.

Cards may be sent to:

John & Pat Halford

5836 South State Road 129

Versailles, IN 47042

To learn more about John and his perspective on life and aging, watch the video below.

On YouTube at http://youtu.be/VyWVmwiyOqE.

In the last issue of Weekly Update, we announced the death of Shirley Moskel. Here her husband, GCI pastor John Moskel, offers a tribute to Shirley and his thanks to Update readers.

Thank you to all for your prayers on behalf of my dear wife, Shirley. On April 19, she ceased her struggle with lung cancer.

Stephanie, Shirley’s daughter, was able to assist me in caring for Shirley at home, with the hospice nurse and staff giving much-needed support. Shirley was on the maximum allowable dosage of pain-killer medications, plus a little extra in her final days. She had a fair degree of mental confusion in her last week, but that was expected as the disease progressed through her frail body.

Retired GCI pastor Keith Brittain officiated at her memorial service. Over 160 attended. Our local congregation, Open Hearts Fellowship, provided a delicious lunch following the service.

Though it was at times exhausting to care for Shirley through the night, I cherish those memories and consider it a privilege to have helped make her suffering a little more bearable. She was a terrific companion, always ready to share a laugh and be cheerful in the midst of what must have been very deep pain.

The silence and the loneliness are hard to bear now, but I take comfort in what one clergyman said recently, “The nice thing about being a Christian is that you never have to say goodbye.”

I eagerly anticipate the grand family reunion that lies ahead.

Cards may be sent to:

John Moskel
130 Youpon Drive
Lexington, SC 29073

Prayer is requested for John Halford, special assistant to GCI president Joseph Tkach. John was recently hospitalized where he was diagnosed with cancer. He is now home, awaiting further tests to determine the extent of the cancer and to determine needed treatment. Here is an update from John’s daughter, Becki Halford Brown:

My dad had been experiencing rapid weight loss and some discomfort in his chest. Tests showed that he has esophageal cancer. The oncologist says he is “cautiously optimistic” that the cancer is limited to the esophagus. If that is the case (and we will know soon), radiation and chemotherapy will probably not be needed, and dad will have surgery right away to remove the cancer. Short of a miraculous healing, this is about the best news we could ask for.

John and his family ask for your prayers for John’s healing and for direction for the doctors who will be treating him.

Cards may be sent to:

John & Pat Halford

5836 South State Road 129

Versailles, IN 47042

We are saddened to learn of the death on April 18 of Shirley Moskel, wife of GCI pastor John Moskel. Click here for a previous prayer request that outlines her battle with cancer that now is over. Please pray for John and Shirley’s other family members and friends. Details about the funeral are pending.

Cards may be sent to:

John Moskel
130 Youpon Drive
Lexington, SC 29073

 

Here is a recent update on Arnold Clauson from his daughter Rachelle who is helping with his care at his home in Texas.

Dad had a difficult time this weekend, then yesterday [April 21] he seemed to decline even more.

We had arranged yesterday for him to receive hospice care. For now they are coming in 20-30 minutes each day. However, Dad’s symptoms were changing so fast last night that we asked them to return. They gave him oxygen to help increase his blood oxygen levels.

This morning [April 22], Dad was able to eat and was strong enough to travel for dialysis. His blood pressure drops at times, so we’re keeping a close eye on that.

Continued prayer for Dad’s healing and comfort is much needed and appreciated. Please also pray for Mom [Trish] and for me—we often get exhausted caring for Dad. We love you all—blessings and health to you and your loved ones.

Cards may be sent to:

Arnold and Trish Clauson

109 Melrose Circle

Denison, Texas 75020