Obituaries

Robert A. (Bob) Calvert MDiv ’12, aged 80, died June 25, 2020 at his home in Marianna, Florida.  He is preceded in death by parents Robert A. Calvert, Sr. and Anne Robbins Calvert; sisters Barbara Respess and Elinor Eaves; and granddaughter April Joy Grant. Surviving relatives are his wife Sandy, his daughters Barbara Grant (Fred), Andrea Butler and stepchildren Julie Yarbrough, Jonny Yarbrough, Jena Poole and Jennifer Ramsey (Paul), along with 13 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.Bob was born in Atlanta, GA December 19, 1939.  In 2003 he and his wife Sandy moved to Alford, FL to live in their retirement “dream” home.  His retirement was short-lived after he surrendered to the call to ministry that had been placed on his heart as a young man.  At age 21 he was ordained as a Local Pastor by the Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta, GA.  However, his career took a different direction later as he began work in the banking business where he remained for over 30 years. Pastor James Vickery of the Cypress Creek Community Church in Alford, was instrumental in drawing Bob back to his original call, encouraging him to enter the ministry, recognizing his God-given gifts, and Bob was Ordained to a Gospel Ministry there in 2004. Not long after this, he determined to enter seminary and obtain his Master of Divinity degree.  A lifelong Methodist, Bob wanted to “do it up right”.  In 2005 he became Associate Pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Marianna, FL.  He served there until receiving his own pastorate to minister at Bascom United Methodist church along with Greenwood United Methodist Church in 2009. 

In 2011 it became necessary for him to retire from active ministry because of health issues, but he continued to attend seminary, finally receiving his Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2012. In 2013 Bob and Sandy sold their home in Alford and moved to Marianna, Florida to be closer to his health providers.His drive and determination, along with a love of learning, resulted in a life lived to the fullest.  Some of the challenges he faced and overcame were: long-distance running, participating in several marathons including the Boston Marathon, earning a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and hiking the Appalachian trail.  All with a positive mental attitude and a cheerful spirit.  Bob had two favorite mottos: “Expect the Best!” and “Never Give Up”. These would serve him well through a difficult illness and a steady decline in his seemingly never-ending energy and endurance. It was a long, difficult journey and there were people always ready to help him along the way. The love and encouragement from our several church “families”, and the compassion and care extended to him by Dr. Stephen Spence and his staff at Internal Medicine helped to ease the burden.  Those who visited, called, sent cards and generally showed him love and support were deeply appreciated.

Ambrose Kamalakar Moses, MRE, aged 92, passed away peacefully at Brio of Johnston on Friday, June 19, 2020. His remains have been cremated at Merle Hay Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at a future date at New Hope United Methodist Church. Ambrose was the youngest son of Rev. Boaz and Santhosha Moses, born in Bangarapet, India, September 10, 1927. He grew up and attended schools in Belgaum, India. He met and fell in love with Bhanumathi, daughter of Mr. V. John and Salome Samuel and married her in the Belgaum Methodist Church, May 7, 1956. Ambrose earned B.A. (English), B. Ed. and M. Ed degrees from Karnataka University in India. He taught English at the Beynon Smith High School and served as the director of Beynon Secondary Teachers’ School in Belgaum. In 1960, he was elected delegate from the South India Conference to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church held in Denver, Colorado. After the conference, he attended Asbury Seminary and earned M.R.E. degree (Master of Religious Education). He was assigned to work for the summer at the First United Methodist Church in Carroll, Iowa, under Rev. Ivan C. Bys. Then, he attended the University of Denver and earned an M.A. degree in English. He returned to India by a month-long voyage on the Queen Elizabeth l, which included a 10 day stay in England, and began teaching English at the Karnataka College, Dharwad, India. Rev. Ivan Bys invited him to work as the director of Christian Education at the First United Methodist Church, Perry, Iowa. He accepted the offer and returned to the United States with Bhanumathi and baby Nina in 1964. In 1966, he accepted a teaching position to teach English at Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa. Mona, their second daughter was born that same year at Iowa Methodist Hospital. He was assigned to teach English and to serve as the chairman of the English Department at Hoover High School, when the school was opened in the fall of 1967. After several years at Hoover, he accepted an appointment to serve as the Secondary Consultant and then as the Assistant Director for Secondary Schools for the Des Moines Public Schools system. He served in these administrative capacities until 1990, when he opted to take early retirement. Ambrose proudly achieved U.S. citizenship status in 1972. Throughout his career, he was an active member in several professional organizations, including: D.M.E.A, I.S.E.A, N.E.A., S.S.P.A., D.M.A.A., and I.S.A.A. Ambrose was blessed with a curious mind throughout his life. He was a voracious reader and had a great appreciation for intelligent conversation. He had a lifelong passion for the arts; he enjoyed drawing and painting and listening to classical music both western and Indian as well as popular music. He loved to play the violin. He was a natural traveler and photographed people and places. He enjoyed watching all sports.

Ronald Dean Worden, MDiv ’65, aged 82, was gathered to his Savior at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital in Houston, Texas. Born in Grainfield, Kansas to O. Dean Worden and H. June Dillon Worden on April 10, 1938. After receiving his Associate Degree from Barclay College in 1958, Ron graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from George Fox College in 1960. He graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary with a Bachelor of Divinity in 1965. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School in 1967. He received his Ph. D at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1973. Bruce Manning Metzger, the translator of the New Revised Standard version of the Bible, mentored Ron while he was at Princeton. Like his father before him, Ron pursued ministry as a career through teaching the word of God. For fifty years of his life, Ron taught all parts of the Bible, as well as Biblical Hebrew, and New Testament Greek in courses for college, masters, and doctoral students. Teaching was a passion that he shared with his wife Barbara as they lived and worked together throughout their professional lives. Together, they have taught at George Fox University, Barclay College, and Houston Graduate School of Theology (HGST). In addition to serving as professor, Ron was the founding academic dean for HGST for twenty years. He spearheaded initial and ongoing self-study initiatives required for accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Ron created course catalogs, managed registrar, faculty, and library duties, and monitored students’ progress towards graduation through admissions, enrollment, and advising. When called upon, Ron also served briefly as Interim President. Beginning in 1984, Ron actively participated in the Executive Council of the Council of Southwestern Theological Schools (COSTS), moderating faculty forums as well as serving as the organization’s secretary and president. Ron’s biblical class lectures have been translated into Korean for a Korean seminary with students from around the globe. Despite his academic credentials, Ron was a humble, soft-spoken man with a deep love for educating people about the scriptures. His devotion to the Bible influenced his pastimes as well. Ron would translate scriptures from the original Hebrew and Greek into daily devotionals online. Ron will be lovingly remembered by his son, Mark (Lori) Worden, granddaughter, Katlyn; sisters, Betty Ann Everson, Beverly (Richard) Stutzman, Marcia Ash and sister-in-law Carolyn Worden; nieces, nephews, other family and many beloved friends. Ron was predeceased by his parents, his wife Barbara Worden, brother Donald Worden and brothers-in-law Tex Everson and Terry Ash.

William Warren Thompson, DMin, aged 59, William Warren Thompson, formerly of Jacksonville, FL, Florence, KY, and Merritt Island, FL, passed away on July 7, 2020 after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma cancer at the Vitas Hospice Center in Rockledge, FL. He was 59 years old. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Tina Marie Thompson, and his father, Jan Barclay Thompson. He is survived by his daughter, Lauren (Thompson) Driver, his son Michael William Thompson; his son-in-law, Kelvin Matthew Driver; his daughter-in-law, Khristina Renee Collins; his brother Robert Thompson; his mother Patricia Thompson; his grandchildren, Emily Collins and Natalie Collins, and Sherri-Nicole Driver and Kathryn Driver; his nephews Evan Thompson, Jared Thompson, Matthew Martinko, Jeremy Thompson; his niece Abby Thompson. Bill was born in Jacksonville, FL. He attended Westpoint Military Academy in New York and graduated in the top 12% of his class. He met and married Tina Keiser, formerly from Toledo, in 1983. Bill was a vigil member of the Order of the Arrow and an Eagle Scout. He came in 4th in his high school class. He was the top company commander in his battalion and the top recruiting battalion XO. He graduated from Cincinnati Christian University with a Master of Divinity degree. He graduated with his Doctor of Ministry degree in preaching and leadership from Asbury Seminary. He graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with an advanced Master of Theology degree in leadership and education. He was an adjunct professor of ministry for Ohio Christian University for about 5 years. He published 3 articles in peer-reviewed journals. He also published his first book Preaching Isaiah’s Message Today this year with many great endorsements. Bill was beloved by many and will be greatly missed. 

See all articles