- YFC Alumni - Passages

Died January 19, 2009 in Spokane, Washington.
John was born July 22, 1915 in Spokane, Washington. He graduated in 1932 from North Central High School in Spokane. After graduating in 1937 from Simpson College in Seattle, John opened a new Christian & Missionary Alliance church in Longview, Washington.

He met Mary Josephine Culp and married her in 1933. "Jo," his wife, was a wonderful asset to him. He said she "bloomed where she was planted." In the 40s, John sang bass in a traveling quartet that toured Army camps on the west coast during World War II. He also traveled with Herb Anderson as an evangelist across Canada.

In the 50s, John and Clay Cooper started Youth for Christ in Spokane. He formed Vision International where John toured America raising funds for missions. He showed films of missions work done in Asia and Africa. In 1957, he was called to be a missionary in Vietnam where he worked among the Kaho tribal people until Vietnam fell in 1975. During that time, he built a technical school for training in farming, mechanics, etc., a language school, plus a hospital and clinic in Dalat, Vietnam.

In 1979, he bought a ship in Australia, and named it the "Bamboo Cross" to provide food for the hungry in Australia and rescued Vietnamese boat people in the South China Sea. He delivered them near Kuala Lumpur where they were resettled, in other countries. He spoke in missionary conferences and later did a radio ministry for the Tribal people of Vietnam until his death.

His daughter, Barbara Henriksen, Jerry Henriksen, his grandchildren, Dr. Jeffrey and Julie Henriksen, Sondra Henriksen and his great-grandchildren, Kyle, Sarah, and Caleb, will miss him.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are sons and daughters-in-law Harvard Franklyn Miller II of Reisterstown and Mark P. and Dawn Miller of Upperco; daughters and sons-in-law Lynn J. and Lonnie Olson of North Platte, Neb., and Beverly A. and Glade Smith of Cozad, Neb.; and nine grandchildren.

You can visit a web page on CaringBridge dedicated to Franklyn by going to http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/viewHome.do

"I found Don and Deloris Watson, and thank you for publishing their names (on the website). While the following doesn't reflect their years as YFC Directors in the 1950s in Spokane, Washington, when I was a teen in the YFC choir, it is reflective on their hearts and ministries. I'm sad to find them via the press; but happy to know Deloris has found her reward." Larry Christian

CARLSBAD ---- Deloris June Watson worked beside her husband so closely in their ministry that no one ever called her husband by his name alone, he said last week. "It was always Deloris and Don," Don Watson said.

Deloris Watson died after an accident in the couple's home on March 14, 2008. She was 83. Until her death, Watson was an integral part of Diversified Christian Ministries. The Watsons founded the organization primarily to serve senior citizens at retirement communities, rest homes, mobile home parks and hospitals.

A gospel pianist, Deloris Watson played for churches throughout North County, including Seaside Presbyterian Church in Encinitas for the past 15 years. "She was the ultimate partner in the ministry," said Al Alger of Vista, who first met the Watsons nearly 30 years ago and has served as financial officer for their organization since it began 25 years ago. "I nicknamed her the 'First Lady,' " he said. "She earned the title in every sense of the word." Besides being a "super-neat lady," Deloris Watson was also the one who kept it all together and smoothed out the bumps if anything went wrong, Alger said.

Watson was born Feb. 13, 1925, in Spokane, Wash. She began playing piano in church when she was 13. Until this year, she had not missed performing at an Easter service for 70 years, her husband said. She also taught music and played for large evangelistic meetings around the U.S. and in Europe. Watson's repertoire included nearly 3,000 hymns, most of which she knew by heart, so she was always looking at the audience when she played, her husband said.

Their children drew laughs during a March 24 memorial service when one said that "she wasn't looking at you and smiling at you; she was looking around to see if we were in church." Don Watson said his wife always wanted to be the oldest gospel pianist in California. "Not too long ago, I told her that at 83 she must be, and that made her smile."

The couple, who had been married for 61 years, met at a roller rink in Spokane when Don Watson was on furlough during World War II and was preparing to ship out to the Philippines, he recalled. Just before that, Delores had been working at the railroad station in Del Mar, but had become homesick and headed back to Spokane. Don Watson said he was lucky she did. "I knew she was the one. ... She's been part of my psyche for 61 years." He added that when he met his wife, he "became a true believer and felt called to the ministry." A Baptist pastor, Don Watson served at five churches on the West Coast with Deloris by his side.

In addition to her husband, Deloris Watson is survived by her sons Daniel of Rancho Bernardo, Dennis of Fullerton and Douglas of Oceanside; her daughters, Deborah Walton of Carlsbad and Donnell Trostrud of Papua, New Guinea; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

This article reprinted with permission. Please visit the North County Times at www.nctimes.com.

Jane Overholt

It is with sadness we report to you the news that one of our sisters has gone home to be with the Lord. Jane Overholt passed away at 5:00 am on February 12, 2008, surrounded by her loved ones. She had been in and out of the hospital since January 11. There must have been great rejoicing in Heaven as this dear saint entered into the presence of our Lord.

Jane served faithfully beside Paul during their 40 years as World Outreach missionaries in Brazil, raising her family and helping to develop the Brazil YFC national program. The Overholts were a great example of how to effectively take the Good News of Jesus Christ to a distant land. They labored to plant the work and directed the ministry for 20 years. Then for the next 20 years they stayed and mentored national leaders, so that when they finally moved to California, the work continued to bear much fruit and to thrive. The Overholts have continued to serve alongside Brazil YFC during their very active retirement years, and just last summer God granted them the desire of their hearts to make the long journey to Brazil again for the dedication of camp facilities they were instrumental in developing (you can read more about the dedication by clicking here).

In total the Overholts spent 54 years in Youth for Christ and thousands of teenagers know Christ today as a result of their faithful ministry. Along with husband, Paul, Jane leaves behind five children; Bert, Dale, Jann, Kent, and June. Please join us in praying for Paul and the family during this time of sorrow.

Galen Dolby went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007 after battling kidney cancer since 2002. For the past 30 years Galen has served in YFC with a great passion for the youth and for the Lord.

Galen began his YFC career in Youth Guidance in Elkhart County YFC back in 1977 and worked his way up to Executive Director. In 1990 he founded Southern Hills YFC in Bloomington, IN. Six years later he went on to serve on staff at the Great Lakes Region as the National Field Associate until his cancer forced him to cut back on his traveling. Not to be deterred, Galen then became the first Regional Community Ministries Coordinater, serving YFC staff that work with at-risk young people across Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio. Finally, this past summer, as the cancer slowed him down even more, but still eager to work for the Lord, Galen took the position as Director of Development for Southern Hills YFC. Bill Shewan, with whom Galen worked closely for many years, summed up Galen's legacy, "Galen was fully surrendered to the Lord. He was a tremendous role model for everyone who knew him."

Galen is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 30 years, Laura (Short) Dolby; daughter, Elizabeth Dolby of Indianapolis; daughter, Adrianne (Dolby) Farris and son-in-law, Justin Farris of Mooresville; son, Isaac Dolby of Bloomington; two amazing grandsons, Parker Levi and Eli Nathaniel Farris; parents, Richard and Carolyn (Hite) Dolby, of Warsaw, Indiana; two sisters, Carol Dianne Gates, of Argos, Indiana and Mrs. Robert (Cheryl) Roth of Warsaw, Indiana; one brother, Steven Dolby and his wife, Sue, of Goshen, Indiana; as well as several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

During the last few months of his life, Galen and Laura kept an online journal. To view his journal and leave a note of condolence for Laura, visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/galendolby.

Dr. Eugene Q. McGee entered into the presence of the Lord on Monday, August 6, 2007, at his home in Atlanta, GA. Dr. McGee was born on October 19, 1916 and in 1936 married Virginia Coleman, the young lady most responsible for his conversion. On October 2, 1942 he was ordained to the gospel ministry by the Christian & Missionary Alliance. A graduate of Nyack College and Emory University, he has pastored churches in Fort Myers, Florida, Brooklyn, New York, Indianapolis, Indiana, New York City, and on Long Island. He served as an Army chaplain in the Philippines and Japan during WWII and also served with Youth for Christ for 18 years in Atlanta, Chicago, and Paris, France. In 1982 he began radio broadcasting with the Home Bible Study Ministry that celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. He has authored numerous Bible study books and preached in London, Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, the International Church in Saigon, and in Eastern Europe during the cold war. He has served on the boards of the Christian & Missionary Alliance, Nyack College, and Toccoa Falls College that conferred an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 1988.

Dorothy Virginia McGee entered into the presence of the Lord on Tuesday, August 14, 2007, in Atlanta, GA. Virginia was born on April 30, 1918 and at the age of 8 accepted Christ as her personal Savior. In 1936 she married Eugene McGee after he made a profession of faith in Christ as a result of Virginia's influence. She and Eugene attended Nyack College and for the next 65 years she faithfully worked beside her husband in the ministry of Youth for Christ and as a chaplain's and pastor's wife. She was especially loved for her warm friendship and generous hospitality. She also devoted her time to raising her children. One of the greatest joys of her life was praying for and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The promises in the Bible, and especially the Scripture in Joshua 1:9, carried Virginia through life, which took her all over the world.

Eugene and Virginia are survived by three daughters; Sarah (and husband Don Penna), Miriam (and husband Claude Jeanrenaud), and Becki (and husband Joe Hoisington); and three sons, Tim (and wife Bonnie), John, and Nathan (and wife Mary); thirteen grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

On behalf of the entire international family of Youth for Christ, both past and present, we wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Dr. Billy Graham and his family. Ruth Graham was pivotal when her husband, Billy Graham, joined with others to form Youth for Christ. Her life embodied the very ideals that Dr. Graham helped to instill in Youth for Christ: an undying commitment to God’s Word, a passion to communicate the good news of God’s redemptive purpose for the human race through the sacrifice of Jesus, and a hope in the future reunion of Christ followers with eternal dimension.

That’s exactly why at Youth for Christ we mourn the loss of Ruth Graham. We understand first hand the impact of Billy and Ruth Graham, because we are still feeling their influence seven decades after the beginning of this ministry. Today we continue to reach out to lost youth with growing strength, passion and purpose…always grounding ourselves in the very ideals that drew Billy and Ruth in from the start.

So last Thursday, when Ruth Graham slipped into the arms of her Heavenly Father, our hearts felt both the fulfillment and the pain. We celebrate a powerful life of ministry and commitment. We celebrate the life of a humble, gentle and strong leader. We celebrate the life of a fellow pilgrim who understood the call of God on a life that constrains them to obey what God alone could accomplish.

From that seedbed of obedience we acknowledge the powerful wave of ministry that the Holy Spirit has brought in Youth for Christ. Now, deeply imbedded in the United States, and flung to the corners of the globe…Youth for Christ stands as a model for the faithful and sacrificial service of this faithful servant. We have benefited from her influence, we celebrate her life, and we mourn this loss for Billy, her family and the broader church.

David Wraight, President, Youth for Christ International
Daniel Wolgemuth, President, Youth for Christ/USA

P.S. To read more on Ruth Graham’s life please go to www.billygraham.org/RBG_Default.asp. You’ll find a wonderful tribute to her prepared by the Billy Graham Evangelical Association.

ROBERT VADEN, Brighton, MI
Bob Vaden, on the staff of YFC for 21 years as director for Pine Hills camp and Lifeline, passed away peacefully at home on March 4, 2007. In addition to his beloved wife Jean and children Dawn, Lynn and Robert, he is survived by seven grandchildren and many relatives and friends who join to mourn his passing whil giving thanks to God for such a good man.

DR. WINFIELD ARN, Portland, Oregon, USA
Dr. Winfield Arn, former director of Portland Oregon YFC (1956-1970) and pioneer in the Church Growth Movement. December 13, 2006 Win, age 83, was ushered into the presence of Jesus. He had been comatose for a few weeks. However, just moments before his spirit left his body he got a glimpse of glory demonstrated by a huge smile on his face and eyes that were bright and glistening. Praise God for the great hope we have in Jesus! Please pray for Win’s wife Barbara and family during this time mixed with joy and sadness.

DR. JACK CUPPLES, Northern Ireland
The former President of Youth For Christ Northern Ireland, the much-beloved Dr. Jack Cupples, went from ‘life to greater life’ December 15, 2006 at 4.00am. Many folks had met him at European Council events over the years. He has been in hospital for the last few weeks suffering from a second stroke. Pray particularly for his wife Leila, his son Paul and his daughter Ruth and their families.

DR. TED ENGSTOM, YFC/USA President
Dr. Ted Engstrom, our friend, fellow pilgrim, and YFC/USA president 1957 to 1963, went to be with his Lord and Savior on the evening of July 14th 2006 at 90 years of age. We grieve the loss of this godly, faithful and stalwart leader, but celebrate a life well lived.To read more about Dr. Ted's life, please click here.