It is with a heavy, heavy, heart that I announce the sad departure of a very true and dear friend, Eric Davis. He went to be with the Lord today at 11:20 am while hospitalized in Merced. Collapsing Friday at a job site from a lack of air, Eric simply could not recover from the ailment that has troubled him for years, most recently just before Christmas. He leaves behind a wife and six beautiful children, two of which the family adopted from Africa (he personally went to Africa to bring them home.) It was just this month that the kids officially became theirs.

Even though I have only known Eric for about a year, I regard him closer than a friend. He was my brother. He and his family was the first to truly take us in when we started attended our current church. Eric and I immediately bonded and how could we not? He was a geek within and was just excited about technology as I am. What struck me the most about Eric was just what an amazing servant he was. He happily helped where ever there was a need.

What I will most miss about Eric is his tender heart and smile. Seen here in the picture I used for his Caller-ID on my iPhone, this was typical Eric. Taken at the end of last summer at an impromptu BBQ he invited us to, I asked him for this shot and laughingly he said he didn’t want to but he smiled any way while I took it. This picture will forever be on my iPhone.

Please be praying for Eric’s family. This without a doubt is such a tragic loss that it will be very difficult to digest. They will need the soft and tender touch of Jesus through this difficult season.

Eric, with tears in my eyes…I say goodbye. I love you and will miss you. Until eternity, my friend, goodbye.