Laureen

The kindest, sweetest, never complaining Dad, Daddy, 'old man', Oupa, Oups, John, Uncle Johnny, Mr John, Mr B, not to forget Mother calling him 'Dear' - except when he came home from work and she had to tell him us kids had been naughty...!!

He was called Mkulu, Pastor, and Umfundisi, amongst other, by his loving carers.

Dad, was not only gentle, but an utter gentleman - even at 86, when I took him out, he would not understand why I had to open the car door for him to make sure he is seated safely, he wanted to open the door for me !

Everyone knew Dad as jeweller, and either him teaching Bible class or in the pulpit days, and being an Elder in The Full Gospel Tabernacle, but I would like to boast about somethings very few people know about or remember...

For over 20 years, Dad would humbly go to the Place of Safety in Pinetown, EVERY Wednesday without fail, to show love by ministering to the kids! Mom and Dad bought each child a gift on their birthday, and as a family, every year, we would hold a Christmas party there and Dad and Mom would buy each child a gift out of their own pockets (sometimes as many as 80 kids there at any one time, between babies to 18yrs of age). Dad ministering to them was, often the only outside person these kids saw, nevertheless the only gifts. Often, often, often, years later Dad would have people come up to him in the street and address him as "Uncle Johnny", when he asked who they were, they would say "I was in the Place of Safety as a kid, and you made such an impact on my life"! Isn't that beautiful to think that Dad made a difference in so many lives?!? What a gracious man, not just teaching them about the love of Jesus, and giving them future hope, but the care and example he showed as well.

Secondly, Dad was also an author of a book, which Derek had published.

Lastly, right to the final years while I was blessed to care for him. Despite Dad's physical and mental incapacities, not remembering my name even, he would sit at the piano and play and remember all the correct words to the choruses and hymns! Amazing!

Daddy, till we meet again ....

Laureen (Lolo, and especially loved it when you called me "Gogs")