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Eulogy for Ralph McQueary delivered by G. Ted Taylor While this eulogy was being delivered at the Columbia Baptist Church, an unworldly quiet had spread over Columbia, as the community-wide observance coincided with the formal one. Those paying their respects to this beloved basketball hero, teacher, coach, family man, servant of the church have numbered in the thousands. They trekked to Columbia in tribute to a great Adair Countian, and to an enduring family which has been so much a part of the life of our region of Kentucky. Dr. Taylor has permitted us to post the words of his eloquent oration for Ralph McQueary, Columbia, KY (1937-2011) delivered today, as follows: Eulogy for Ralph McQueary Written and Delivered by Dr. G. Ted Taylor Columbia Baptist Church, 201 Greensburg ST, Columbia, KY Funeral service at 1pmCT, Monday, April 11, 2011 Living up to the legacy of Ralph McQueary I have chosen numbers to celebrate the life and legacy of Ralph McQueary. The numbers 201, 604, 25, and ()() will comprise the four puzzle pieces that paint a picture of his life in the here and the hereafter.It is an honor for me to be chosen to tell his story and also a challenge for me to live up to his legacy. 201 201 Greensburg Street. We begin this incredible journey of faith right here (Columbia Baptist Church). 201 is the place where Ralph professed faith in Christ, married the love of his life, Juanita, in 1958; and saw his sons, Paul and John, profess faith in Christ. Ralph was a servant leader as a highly respected deacon. "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?" Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." -Matthew 22: 37-38201 represents the place where Ralph loved God with all of his heart. When Ralph asked Jesus into his heart as an adult, he meant it. We know it by how he lived. Without any question, he was a Christ-follower. A fellow deacon described Ralph as a solid Christian who supported the church and would do whatever needed to be done. Ralph McQueary was one of the most loved and respected persons at Columbia Baptist Church. On a Sunday morning in December of 2010 I saw Ralph at church for the first time since treatments began. He was on the second row to my right, sitting on the end seat and I went over to say hello. After the service started, I decided to publicly welcome Ralph to church and the Church at 201 gave him a standing ovation. Before he sat down he flashed the '96 Championship Ring with his name on it and with his famous smile. It has been said about Ralph that he had a God-fearing heart. At 201, Ralph's "yes" meant "yes" and his "no" meant "no." Ralph was very supportive of me and he chased me down in the parking lot one Sunday to tell me how much he appreciated me for having the courage to preach on judgment and hell. He wanted the truth proclaimed with strength and courage. On a mission trip of hosting a VBS in Floyd County, Ralph had the 7th and 8th grade boys. He had boys that had never been to church. He decided to meet his class on the church bus with one way in and one way out. The boys understood that Ralph meant business and several of the boys accepted Christ. That is the only way they could get off the bus. The best way to describe Ralph at 201 is SOLID AS A ROCK. 604 604 Crestview Loop. It is said that home is where the heart is and Ralph's heart was definitely at home with his family. There was only one thing that Ralph disliked at his house and that was washing windows. Everything else he loved, including sharing the housework with Juanita. Ralph always put his family first and he was the spiritual leader in the home. A special treat was to go to Big K in Campbellsville occasionally. The boys loved the toy aisle and one day they asked Ralph to buy them a toy. He told them he didn't have any money. When the boys got home, they snuck into his bedroom, opened his wallet, and sure enough, there wasn't one dollar. They learned that day that their dad was a man of integrity. The greatest gift that Ralph gave his sons was to love his wife of 52 years - their mother. His love for Juanita was a gift to his boys that was priceless and keeps on giving, even to today. No one will ever doubt for a second that Juanita Ballou McQueary was the love of Ralph's life. Their commitment to Christ-centered marriage is held in high regard in this entire county and beyond. He loved Juanita as Christ loved His bride, the Church. On occasion through the years, couples have sought their counsel and prayers. Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who has built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, the winds blew and beat against that house yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock. - Matthew 7:24-25As a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, etc. Ralph was SOLID AS A ROCK. Ralph believed in rules, boundaries, and discipline on occasion. Occasionally the boys would push past the boundaries and they would certainly hear about it and, a few times, they have testified that they felt the love. Every new project that Juanita wanted at 604 he would say, "What?" and then start planning how to get it done. Ralph had a great sense of humor and always thought every situation had some humor. He wanted to make people laugh, and I bet it was a hoot in Driver's Ed on occasion. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. -Joshua 24:15Ralph had the ministry of presence. He was bigger than life. I always knew when Ralph was present and I always felt it when he wasn't. His sons said they couldn't ask for a better father and their prayer is that they can live up to his legacy. 25 #25 McQueary hangs in the rafters of Burr Gymnasium in Adair County High School. His is one of only four jerseys that hang for every generation of fans and players to see. Hundreds of high school basketball players have worn the Adair County Indian jersey, but only four have been inducted into the Adair County Hall of Fame. Knowledgeable Adair County basketball fans will tell you Ralph McQueary and #25 are synonymous. In interviews with #25's high school teammates, they remember him as the complete basketball player. "Ralph was a great ball handler and great free-throw shooter." "He was a floor general that could always get his man in the air and draw the foul."#25 made good decisions in basketball and in life. Ralph came to play every night. His leadership and morals were in a league of their own. McQueary treated everybody equally, with dignity and respect. Ralph believed in nothing negative ever. He won the free-throw award in 1955 by beating out a teammate that shot 95%. College teammates shared similar sentiments. "Ralph was an intelligent and mature player."#25 was able to lead Lindsey Wilson Junior College to a 5th-place finish in the National Junior College Tournament in Hutchison, Kansas. As a coach, Coach McQueary always coached his players up to pursue excellence and perfection. On one occasion he coached a player down. One time as an 8th grade coach his team was losing so he persuaded a 6th-grader that was in the stands to come down to the bench. In a few minutes, Coach McQueary had the jersey off an 8th-grader and had the 6th-grader putting it on at the bench. I've never heard of a coach that recruited players during a game. That 6th-grader went on to become the head coach of Adair County High School in 1983 and Coach Young's first hire at the high school was Coach McQueary. Within two years the 1985 team was in the region finals for the first time in 29 years with Ralph's son, Paul, on the team. In 1996 the Indians were Regional Champions and went to the State Tournament for the first time in 40 years. During those years, Coach McQueary always had the golden touch while drawing opponents in district play. There was one comment that kept coming up over and over as I asked what was the key to Ralph's success as a player and a coach. The number one answer was always "the Ballou twins." One person told me in confidence that he knew for sure that officials in the region were paralyzed by the fear of making a bad call against Ralph. As I heard people talk about these twins I had a picture of a wrestling tandem being introduced at WWE. There was a fear factor when they entered the gym. Ralph knew how to gain every advantage. Ralph's sons said, "Not once did we ever re-live a game at home. Dad never criticized a player or second-guessed a coaching move. He was loyal to Coach Young and was so proud of Mark Fudge taking the Indians to the State Tournament twice." Don't you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown that will fade away, but we have a crown that will never fade away. Therefore, I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified." -1 Corinthians 9:24-27(Many thanks to Coach Mark Fudge and Coach Keith Youngfor their assistance in sharing the history of #25.) ()() (infinity) Infinity represents heaven where Ralph is now. It is impossible to put a number on heaven as it has no beginning and no end. As much as Ralph loves and cares for each of you I can promise you that he would not want to come back here, even if he could. I am going to prepare a place just for you and I will take you with me so you will be with me, you know the way to the place where I am going. -John 14:2-5Ralph knew the way and Jesus has done exactly what he has promised to do. Ralph is with Jesus in an infinite place called heaven. As human beings we have a terminal illness called mortality. The current death rate is at 100%, or rather, one out of every one person will die. 250,000 people die every day on planet earth. For a quarter-million people every day they face the judgment and go either to heaven or hell. For every one American who believes he/she is going to hell there are 120 who believe they are going to heaven. This optimism stands in start contrast to Christ's words, Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it. But, small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it. - Matthew 7:13-14Unless and until we surrender our lives to Jesus we're headed for hell. The most loving thing that I can do for you, your family, and your friends, is to warn you about the road that leads to destruction and tell you about the road that leads to life. (I wanted to share these words because this is a verbatim excerpt from the message I preached on hell that Ralph loved.) So, here is how this works in real life. It was a Sunday afternoon and Ralph did not take too kindly to the thought of a hospital bed for him. He was visibly upset and emotional when Sheri and I got there. Ralph was sobbing and saying to Juanita, "I don't want to leave you!" Juanita began to list the family members who were believers that were already in heaven. I told Ralph that all of us on this side hated to see him go, yet on the other side, I assured him that they were excited to welcome him to his new home. Then Juanita said, "I will be with you soon because I am coming right behind you." This is the difference that a faith in Christ makes in one's life. I promise you that it is Ralph's desire to one day welcome all of his family and friends into eternal life. Let me close this celebration of the legacy of Ralph McQueary with something I believe. As you read about Jesus' ministry, His number of followers grew as He performed miracles and transformed lives. His followers numbered in the thousands but decreased as following Christ required more sacrifice. By the time he was crucified there were only five left. Everybody else had scattered. Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother's sister; Mary, the wife of Clopas; and Mary Magdalene. There was one man left and that was the beloved disciple, John. Only five stayed all the way to the bitter end. I believe Ralph McQueary would have been there. He would have been the last one standing with Jesus. As I close this memorial service, my challenge...your challenge...our challenge is to live up to the legacy of Ralph McQueary who was solid...SOLID AS A ROCK! If you would like to write a comment to Dr. Taylor, visit G. Ted Taylor.com Plan of Salvation...How to become a Christian Before you were born, God wanted you to know Him personally. He chose to show you how much He loves you. But to accept His offer, you need to know the ABC's of Salvation.
Dear God, I know that You love me. I admit I am a sinner. Please forgive me for my sin. I place my faith in Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus' name I pray, amen." If you sincerely asked Jesus to be your Savior, tell a pastor or another Christian about your decision. Show your faith in Christ by asking a Bible-believing church for baptism by immersion. (See Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41). - -Rev. G. Ted Taylor This story was posted on 2011-04-11 13:49:45
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