01.13.04

David Archer

Late last week David Archer, one of my younger sister's and our family's good friends, fell to his death while hiking in the beautiful hills of south central Ohio. David was a good egg and I can't tell you how sad his death is to many many folks. The last time I saw David was when I played opposite him at the annual Thanksgiving Day old men vs. youngsters football game at Grace Presbyterian Church in Columbus. It was sleeting for most of the game and David and I were enjoying the two hand tackle state of affairs which every good football game degenerates into. I really enjoyed knowing that character.

The Lancaster Gazette had a story about David's fall which was typical of the coverage. I went through what many people must go through when folks whom they love die. I read the papers and was upset at the coldness with which they treated the situation.

The bulk of the stories were about how David was off the marked path and let that be a warning to the rest of us. Well, I think that was the wrong advice for two reasons:

1. To react to a personal tragedy with an admonition to follow the rules better next time is cruel and wrong. It's like telling someone to look both ways next time before crossing the street while you are poking them in the eye.

2. Many folks die in accidents in cars and in bathtubs for that matter. I think we take risks every day that we don't even know are risky. We're never too awful far away from dying, but we sure are good at thinking we can avoid it if stay inside the lines. Following rules doesn't insulate anyone from the unexpected. It may satiate an actuary or two, but God takes us when he pleases.

Anyway, below is David's obituary. This is the David who the newspapers, and their readers will never know. They will never know the truth. Isn't that a strange thought? Scores of thousands will read those papers and they will really have no idea what it meant.

ARCHER David L. Archer, age 20, of Worthington, died Thursday, January 8, 2004. Survived by parents, Paul and Cynthia Archer; brothers, Michael, Timothy and Nathaniel; grandparents, E. Robert and LaVerne Derr Jr. of Pittsburgh, PA., Betty Archer and Willis (Greta) Archer, all of Randolph, NY.; great-grandmother, Odessa Arrance of Steamburg, NY.; many aunts, uncles and cousins. David was a college student who was preparing for a mission trip to Uganda, East Africa as a member of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. He was a 2002 graduate of Northside Christian School and was an active member in church programs at Grace Presbyterian Church. He loved the Lord and loved people as well. He was particularly gifted with children. He enjoyed many outdoor activities and sports. Friends may call 6-9 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday at SCHOEDINGER WORTHINGTON CHAPEL, 6699 N. High Street, (1/2 mile South of I-270.). Funeral service 7 p.m. Sunday, January 11, 2004 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 5099 Postlewaite Road. Pastor William Kessler presiding. Graveside and interment service will be held Monday at Kingwood Memorial Park.
Posted by Owen at January 13, 2004 1:38 AM
Comments

I just wanted to say thanks for your write-up on David. I only heard about his passing the other night from an online discussion with one of my friends from Grace, so I am still reeling in the shock of it all. I had known David at least ever since I went to Northside Christian School...I was a student there in 7th grade when he was there in 8th. Since the 7th and 8th graders shared a class or two, we crossed paths fairly often. I also knew him from Grace, as I attended church there for some time. The last time I saw David would have been either a Wed. night youth group meeting or a Sunday church service probably about a year ago. We were not close friends, but I do remember that he was a really nice and kind person, and I have to echo that he was great with kids.

Also, I saw those same news reports, and you are absolutely right about the news media's dry, satistical look at the tragedy, and most tragedies. It was not something I particularily noticed before, and thanks for pointing that out.

I just want to say too, that David's life has been in inspiration to my own. From the little I knew of him, I am very confident that he is in a much better place now, getting to see and enjoy the glory of our Great God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I look forward to getting to see him again someday. Thanks again and may God bless.

Christopher Martin

Posted by: Christopher Martin at January 18, 2004 7:35 PM

Many thanks for remembering our brother and son, David. It's June 21, 2004 and I still think of him. He was a blossom and belonged with our Lord Jesus in heaven.

Posted by: Mrs. Carol Ann Avorgbedor at June 21, 2004 8:00 PM


Somehow, whenever I think of missions, I think of David L. Archer.

If I think of Jamaica, Africa, or Haiti, I think of David L. Archer. If I think of Key West, Florida, I think of David L. Archer.

Perhaps Dave's leaving us and going to our Lord was meant to "keep our hearts and minds" on God's children in far away places, and missionaries working in those places.

Somehow, David is not lying fallow, but he is exploring all God's Purposes there in Heaven, and carrying out all God's will with Jesus Christ his Savior. I bet he hasn't forgotten his parents and his siblings either!

I was shaken from the core that he was called, so soon. I have yet to really speak with his parents face to face.

Shortly after Dave's burial, I left evening service on a Sunday afternoon and was suddenly tempted to enter an Antiques Store in our neighborhood. I should not have had so little regard for our Lord, but I went all the same. My husband tried to dissuade me, but I went in disobedience. That afternoon could have been my last on this earth was it not for the Grace and Lovingkindness of God.

I took a violent fall from an old narrow wooden stairwell and nearly broke my neck.

When I fell, every breath in me waned, and I thought I experienced what David felt while falling. As I gathered in a clumped but painful heap, almost unconcious on the floor, I immediately heard my husband's voice, saying, "Are you allright?" Then I heard another voice, "Wait on me, trust me." I waited and trusted God, and in time I revived. The store clerk finally made his way to us. He was asking if he should call for an ambulance, but shortly after he said that, God revived me and my breath came back into my body. My legs and knees was still motionless, but in time, I waited still a little more, and all my strength came back to my body. Thanks be to God, in Christ Jesus!

You see, as God would have it, no one else was in the back of that store, and I fell just as my husband was walking into the area, the back of the store where I fell down. I fell some five or six steps, with hanging pictures falling on top of me and heavy items crashing all around me. It was a marvelous Work of God's Grace, that Christ Jesus saved me, and caused me to gather back the breath of life in my body. Not one of the mirrors or glass items that fell on or near me did me any harm. None of them broke to pieces either.

To me, it was as if Christ knew of my sufferings for this son, in our church, and felt He needed to show me or teach me that His Grace had not ended when He took David Archer, but that the Matchless Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, is consistent and sure, and that the Grace of Jesus Christ rested with all of us, as it was in David on that fateful day.

Many thanks again, for remembering David and for giving us the opportunity to remember this special son, David L. Archer.

Posted by: Mrs. Carol Ann Avorgbedor at June 21, 2004 8:26 PM

Ooops, that second brief post was attributed incorrectly by C. Martin.

That brief post was first written by myself, some ten minutes ago, on June 21, 2004. I saw that C. Martins name was attached to it. I don't know how, but it is incorrect.

Again, many many thanks for placing this space for those who remember David L. Archer. I for one will never forget him.

Carol A. Avorgbedor-Laing

Posted by: Mrs. Carol Ann Avorgbedor at June 21, 2004 8:33 PM