In Memory

Bryce Grenell

Bryce was a better brother to me than I was to him. I’m really, really going to miss him. As boys 15 months apart, Bryce and I were the best of friends and once and awhile the worst of enemies, but Bryce was the governor of our recklessness and the catalyst of peace during times of war. He always pulled his punches. Bryce was really the perfect big brother, even though we terrorized our older sister at times. For his younger brothers, he was always there. When I would rather leave the three little squirts behind, pick on them, or go off on my own, Bryce was the big brother to include, protect and support.

Bryce on right and behind

When we were preparing to join the military, he in the Army and I in the Air Force, my girlfriend gave me a religious medallion. Bryce asked “why,” knowing I didn’t have time for God’s involvement in my life-pursuits. It was a planting of a seed, although Bryce would not have been considered a sower of the gospel at that time. Years later, after I’d made a commitment to Christ, Bryce acknowledged that it was perhaps the only commitment I’d stuck with in my life. I’d hoped that his acknowledgement of my change was a seed growing in his own heart of faith.

Gary, left, and Bryce, right

It wasn’t long after, however, that he decided to follow his life dream of living in the great northwest, pursuing hunting and fishing. He hitched his bass boat to the back of his Ford pickup truck, loaded his bags and Brittany spaniel, and drove off. I thought we’d lost him, being so far away both physically and spiritually from any possible Christian influence, or so we thought. “Oh, ye of little faith.” The Lord guided him to Margy in the most unimaginable way, as only God can do. What a union of spiritual strength and good works that turned out to be.

Bryce, right

Through the years we’ve not connected as much as we should have, seeing each other almost exclusively at family weddings and our mother’s funeral. Still, the adjectives that come to mind when I think of Bryce are meek, humble, steady, dependable, resourceful, God-honoring, practical, serving, compassionate, humorous, and generous in every way. He was an orchard of the fruits of the spirit.

Bryce, right

I saw Bryce last summer, when he flew me to Washington for a weekend visit during our annual trip to the States from our mission work in Tanzania, Africa. It was a special time, as Bryce and Margy were so naturally capable of creating. We laughed and cried and shared dreams and plans, but we knew, as we know better today, that God’s ways are above ours and his thoughts higher than ours.

Bryce, left

Death is certain; it comes to us all. The important thing is to not waste the gift of life. Bryce’s was a life not wasted. He invested heavily and without worry of risk in the lives of many. He would agree with the apostle Paul in saying, “To live is Christ and to die is gain.” Those of us who share his faith in Jesus will have the great joy of seeing him again. So I say, “See ya later, Bro.”

Gary Grenell

Gary’s brother, Bryce Grenell, of suburban Seattle, WA (USA), was called home by the Lord at age 62 on May 2, 2013.  Services were held on Saturday, May 11, 2013.