The Service

Memorial Service For Jesse Owen Younker

July 14, 2005

3:30 P.M.

(see below for 2nd service in Canada)

Songs during arrival of friends

Song: "Dear Mama" 2-Pac (Jesse sang this song to his mom one day when they were riding together in his Jeep)

Song: "Life Goes On" 2-Pac (requested by him)

Welcome to Friends

The Family Members would like to thank you for coming today and being a part of this memorial service. We are here today to respect, to honor and to remember a special person who touched our lives, Jesse Younker, who we all know as "Jesse". The Family desires that this service be an uplifting one, with the joy of the experiences and memories shared with Jesse and his family. through our tears and our grief today let's give Jesse our hopeful spirit and our focus on these precious thoughts of his life and his influence.

Scripture Readings/Prayer

I would like to read from God's Word some comforting thoughts for us to consider today as we go through this service:

From the Old Testament Book of Isaiah, Chapter 41:10

"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

From the New Testament in the Gospel of John, Chapters 10 and 14. Please note these comforting words are from Jesus Christ himself:

"Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and recieve you, I will come again, and recieve you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of my hand."

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for the life of Jesse Younker. Your love was shown to us through his touch and his prescence in our lives. Comfort each family member at this time, provide them your loving caress and spirit of peace. Comfort also the friends that are here this afternoon. Father, we ask that you five us your gift of memory to always ahve withing our reach the moments and the good times we had with Jesse. We pray for Jesse's soul and his spirit and that he now be a part of your eternal family. Let us now surround ourselves with your love, your spirit, your hope, your comfort and you grace. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

History and Family Members

Jesse Owne Younker, beloved son, brother, nephew, grandson and friend was born July 3, 1981, and returned to the Lord, Monday, July 4, 2005. Jesse leaves behind his mother Gail, his step-father Rob, his sister Toni, and numerous relatives in Canada, who will be celebrating his life later in Canada.

Jesse was born and raised in Calgary, Canada and moved to Houston when he was ten. He attended Pflugerville High School. When Jesse was youner, he played baseball and learned Tae Kwon Do. His hobbies included video games, fishing, and tubing. Above all, Jesse's favorite activity was spending time with his family and friends - talking, listening to music, and laughing. I ahve to mention his very best friend, his dog Nikki. Nikki is with us today at this service. Jesse will be remembered as a jokester, fun loving and spirited.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the many friends who have offered their prayers, support and assistance these past few days. The would like to especially thank Michael, Nick and Clint.

Memories of Jesse

Gail, Jesse's mom spoke first and her words can be found in the section titled "From my Mom"

Ted Naylor spoke on behalf of Rob, Jesse's step-father.

I would like to say a few things about Jesse and how I believe he has touched us all. Jesse was just a JOY as these were the initials of his name. Everyone that came into contact with him was affected by his outgonig personality and his sense of humor. He was always joking around and lived life to the fullest. On the table you can see that we have placed 4 roses. Every year Jesse would bring his mom a single rose to her for her birthday. Today we give Jesse one rose from each of his family members for the fond memories he bestowed on us. The fourth rose is a symbol of Jesse himself celibrating his life. I want to share with you the memories that stand out most in my mind of Jesse. Jesse cherished the holidays, especially Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. During those times we would have a big feast. He loved his mom's cooking, which she is exellent cook I may add, and would eat and eat until he was completely stuffed, just leaving enough room for desert. Jesse never disappeared after dinner, he was always there to help clean up after and get things ready for the next event which was one of his other favorite things to do during these family functions. Jesse loved to play board games. After these dinners he would want to play some kind of game and his favorite game was Monopoly. Jesse was a master at this game and in all the times I have seen him play, I have only seen him loose just once. I am sure when we continue to do these family functions, Jesse will be there in spirit watching over us and playing along with us.

I know Jesse will watch over us all and try to keep us safe as he tried in real life. Jesse was a fine young man and we will all miss him very much.

Words spoken by his sister were adlibbed. The words were given to her by Jesse in the moment and unfortunately, she can't remember what she said. Thoughts from her are in the section entitled "From my Sister".

Good afternoon. I am thankful that everyone could attend. This means so much to the family.

Joy is something that everyone has in their life.

Miriam Webster's definition is: A very glad feeling, happiness, great pleasure; delight.

My definition is Jesse Owen Younker.

Jesse was a great man. I met Jesse 6 and a half years ago, I was only 16. We started working at Ross together. When I met Jesse my life was going through a roller coaster. My mom was going to school and she was trying to raise three kids. Jesse and I became friends right away because we shared some of the same situations. At sixteen there were a lot of things about life that I did not know. Jesse took me under his wing and treated me like his younger brother. Jesse showed me a lot of things about life that have propelled me into some positions that I am in now. And to him I am grateful for it.

Jesse personified the saying, "There is never a dull moment when I am around."

Jesse used to have this gray blazer and anyone that knew him knows what I am talking about. This blazer had lots of problems. There was no A/C and only one window rolled that was on the passenger side. The first time that Jesse and I hung out outside of work was a Friday night after we got off work and we were both hungry so we went to Jack In The Box. Jesse had to order with his door open because his window only rolled down about 2 inches. So we pull up to the window and the worker opens the window and tries to hand Jesse the food and then Jesse tells him that he can't open his window anymore so the guy asks Jesse how does he expect to get the food to him. And with the straightest face I have ever seen Jesse told him that he needs to cut it up so that it would fit through the window. So the guy took the food back and was going to start cutting it up and Jesse had to jump out of his truck and bang on the window and tell him we were just playing.

I look up to Jesse because he was so strong, never cared about what people think, and always cared about and protected his family. Over the last few years I have learned many things about Jesse. I learned where he got most of his knowledge in life. He got it from his mother Gail. Gail is a very strong lady. She knows the work that it takes to achieve a goal that is set. I don't know how a woman could raise a man but she did it. She never let Jesse get away with anything and that is why he was always honest, whether you liked it or not.

Gail thank you for allowing me to cross paths with one of God's angels.

I stand up here and feel sorry for Toni because every one of Jesse's good friends made a pact with him that we would take care of his family. So Toni went from having one brother to about 3. Toni, anything you ever need you better turn to us because we are here for you.

Rob, the man, the myth the legend. Jesse had much admiration for you. Jesse told me that he was going to be a firefighter so that he could make Rob and his mom proud. He had also told me one time that Rob meant a lot because, he knew that if it came down to it, in a situation, Rob would be there.

Nick and Clint. You guys just inherited another brother. So good luck because I bug a lot and if you don't want to talk just don't answer. We are brothers now. We have a promise to uphold. So now another family has been born.

In closing I want to say that I have been trying to understand why this happened, but as I was listening to 2pac this one verse stood out the most. I don't know why, but it was, "Warriors come and go, soldiers live forever." Well God's army just got another soldier.

Song: "Wake Me Up When September Ends"

In the middle of this song, we had a terrible rain/thunder storm, the only rain we had gotten in months. This rain storm was so bad the electricity went out right in the middle if the song. My mom said that it was Jesse and that he didn't like the song because it wasn't his choice and it made her cry whenever she heard it. He never liked to see her cry.

Don't grieve for me, for now I"m free

I'm following the path God laid for me,

I took his had when I heard his call

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day

To laugh, to love, to work, or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way.

I found peace at the close of the day.

If my parting has left a void

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

Ah yes! these things I too, will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow,

My life's been full, I savored much.

Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me.

God wanted me now, he set me free.

Holy God, you see us as we are, and know our inmost thoughts. We confess that we are unworthy of your gracious care. We forget that all life comes from you and that to you all life returns. We have not always sought or done your will. We have not lived as you grateful children, not loved as Christ loved us. Apart from you, we are nothing. Only your grace can sustain us. Lord, in your mercy, forgive us, heal us and make us whole. Set us free from sin, and restore to us the joy of you salvation now and forever. For we ask this in the name of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Some Practical Advice:

I would like to suggest some ways of dealing with your grief today and as you deal with the days and weeks ahead:

1)Express your emotions. Our Lord wept over the death of his friend, so it is okay for you to do so also.

2)Seek the aid of your friends. The very prescence of friends is an encouragement.

3)Compel yourself to be with people. Your inclination me be to retreat into a refuge of privacy, but there is greater need than one realizes to associate with others.

4)Express your feelings in words. Talking about it will help you to accept it.

5)Avail yourself of spiritual resources. The power of prayer and the peace of God are precious possessions.

May God Bless You All! Thank you again for coming today. This concludes our service.

Second Service for Jesse in Canada
August 20, 2005

Balzac United Church

Box 3, Balzac, Alberta

Phone: 403-226-5844