Obituaries
William F. “Bill” Brunk, Masters in Religious Education ’57, aged 89. The son of Salvation Army officers, died in San Diego on Dec. 9 after months of declining health. A native of Nyack, N.Y., Bill and his family moved more than a half-dozen times during his early childhood to fulfill Salvation Army service assignments in New Jersey. The family ultimately settled in Palmer, Mass., where his father, Alexander Brunk, pastored a Free Methodist Church.
Bill’s life trajectory changed forever at the age of 16, when his father died suddenly when Bill was out swimming with friends. Days later, at the memorial service for Alexander Brunk, Merlin G. Smith, then-president of Roberts Wesleyan College (RWC) in Rochester, N.Y., invited Bill to finish his high school studies at Roberts, which had a high school at the time. After conferring with his mother and siblings Bill accepted the offer, finished high school, and enrolled at RWC, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1955.
Seeking to follow in the footsteps of his father, Bill enrolled at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky, and earned a Master of Religious Education degree in 1957. He then returned to Roberts as dean of men. The following year he was appointed dean of students, a post he held for nine years. In 1967, he was named vice president of development at RWC to head the college’s capital expansion program. In this role, the affable Bill developed astute gift planning skills that matched donative desire with institutional vision, and he formed and maintained relationships with business leaders and people of influence from all walks of life. During a career that spanned more than three decades, he brought these unique skills to work in development roles at numerous institutions of higher education and service organizations, including the University of Rochester and Asbury Theological Seminary, where he helped to orchestrate an eventual $68 million gift to Asbury from the estate of Ralph Waldo Beeson, a retired insurance executive.
Bill went on to assume subsequent development officer roles, including a return to RWC, followed by the Rochester Institute of Technology, Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla., Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, Western Evangelical Seminary in Portland, Ore., The Redwood Foundation in Escondido, Calif., and the San Diego Rescue Mission. After formally retiring in 1997, Bill served as a consultant for numerous organizations including Habitat for Humanity in San Diego, and Central Christian College in McPherson, Kan.
His desire to help people extended well beyond his professional life. Bill showered others with generosity, including drawing from his personal connections to recommend friends for employment, instilling confidence and a sense of purpose in those who sought direction in life, and providing financial assistance to those facing hardship.
During his college and seminary days, Bill was a proud member of the Sacred Aires male quartet, which performed in churches and at church campgrounds in the Eastern United States. He considered his fellow Sacred Aires Don Frederick, Clyde Van Valin, and Bob Alfonso as brothers, and the men remained lifelong friends. Bill sang high tenor, which contrasted with his six-foot, five-inch frame.
Bill was an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene, and over the years he officiated weddings for numerous family members and friends. He cherished spending time with his family and grand dogs and cheering on the University of Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Alexander and Violet Brunk, and by his sisters, June (Terry) Sullivan and Elsie (Charlie) Finlayson.
Bill is survived by his wife of 68 years, Genevieve; son Robert (Debra) of San Marcos, and son Doug (Vickie) of San Diego.
Dr. Stephen Michael Clinton, Adjunct Facility, aged 76, entered through the gates of heaven Wednesday morning, March 31, 2021. He was born August 21, 1944 in Wichita, Kansas, where he was raised. He graduated from East High School and attended Wichita State University, where he met the love of his life, Virginia ‘Ginny’ Schoonover. They were married in 1964 and moved to Deerfield, Illinois the next year where Steve attended Trinity College and Evangelical Divinity School receiving his bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees. He had the privilege of being mentored by Dr. Ken Kantzer, serving as his student assistant for three years.
From there, Steve and Ginny moved to Hillsboro, Kansas where Steve served on the faculty of Tabor College, teaching Old Testament and Philosophy and sponsoring the Campus Crusade for Christ club. In 1971, they became full time staff members with Campus Crusade for Christ, International (CCC) at Kansas University in Lawrence.
In 1974, they moved to CCC’s international headquarters in San Bernardino, California and he served as Director of Biblical Training. While there, he completed two doctorate degrees and two additional master’s degrees. He and Ginny served in various leadership positions with CCC for over 42 years. He helped found CCC’s International Schools of Theology, and served as President of The Orlando Institute for Leadership of Ministry.
In 1992, Steve and the family moved to Orlando, Florida, soon after CCC’s international headquarters relocated to Orlando. He immediately became involved with Vision Orlando where he later served as a member of the board of directors and then as President and Executive Director for the past eight years. Steve also served as an adjunct professor at Florida Polytechnic University, Valencia College and Asbury Theological Seminary. He also served twice as President of the Maitland Chamber of Commerce.
His passion was to unite spirituality, education, and leadership to equip Christ-centered leaders around the world. Steve taught at various seminaries and universities for over 50 years. He had over 25,000 students in classes on five continents. They are in ministry throughout the world today. He published forty professional articles, fifty popular articles, and authored ten books and handbooks.
He served as interim pastor for five churches during his years of Christian service. His desire was to bring the love and grace of God so that each person could take one step closer in their relationship with Jesus. Steve had a deep love for Jesus Christ, his wife Ginny, their children and grandchildren, and for his colleagues and friends.
Dr. Clinton was preceded in death by his father, Thomas F. Clinton, mother, Betty Harrison Fouty, and step-father, Bill Fouty. Steve is survived by his wife of 56 years, Virginia; his children, Matthew (wife Kim), Michael (wife Kit), and Shanna (wife Heather); his grandchildren, Cole, Nico, Julip, Daniel, and Tyne; his brothers, Mark Clinton, and Ken Fouty; and his sisters, Laurel Tiger and Dr. Mindi McKenna.
Reverend Paul Douglas Juvinall, MDiv ’67, aged 80, passed on to glory Saturday, April 10, 2021. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 56 years, Mary Rebecca (Becky) Vincent Juvinall and his two sons and their families, Matthew Douglas Juvinall, Jackie and Devin of Apopka, Florida. And Nathaniel Mark Juvinall, Susan, Kathleen and Hope of Kennesaw, Georgia. Paul was the proud son of Ernest Dale and Mary Anna of Des Plaines, Illinois and was born June 24, 1940. Paul is also survived by his siblings and their families, James and Linda Juvinall of Wausau, Wisconsin and Phyllis Joy Juvinall of Florence, Kentucky. He is also survived by his sister in law, Joy Vincent Balkcom of Wilmore, Kentucky and her sons and their families. Paul had a large extended family with many nephews, nieces, cousins and numerous friends from the many parts of his life. He is preceded in death by his son, Kevin Paul Juvinall.
Paul was a graduate of McKendree University, in Lebanon, Illinois and Asbury Theological Seminary, in Wilmore, Kentucky. Upon graduation, Paul served the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home for 10 wonderful years of ministry. Following his time with the Children’s Home, Paul began his 25 years of pastoral ministry to First United Methodist Church Orlando, Florida. Ministry was a way of life for Paul and he showed this by always finding ways to Love God and Love Others.
Takashi (Taki) Kakazu, Bachelor of Divinity ’54, aged 90, of Danville, formerly of Chicago; Carlsbad, Calif.; and Sakura Gardens, Los Angeles, passed away peacefully, with his granddaughter, Kumi, by his side, on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at The Villas of Hollybrook, Danville.
Taki was born in Naha, Okinawa, Japan, on Aug. 15, 1930. He immigrated to the United States and graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary. After college, Taki moved to Chicago, where he met and married his angel, Kaoru (Carol) Utsunomiya, on Dec. 29, 1956. He spent most of his professional life working for Japan Airlines in administration.
Taki loved music and especially enjoyed singing, both in groups (church choirs) as well as solo (karaoke). He often serenaded friends on their birthdays and shared his spiritual comfort through prayers with family and friends.
Lovingly called “Oji Chan,” he will be missed by his daughter, Rebecca Kimiko Wauthier, and Gary Spezia of Danville; daughter-in-law, Maria Chow-Kakazu of Alhambra, Calif.; and grandchildren, Nathan Wauthier of La Mesa, Calif., Kumi Wauthier of Waltham, Mass., and Lauren Kakazu and Ashley Kakazu of Alhambra. He will also be missed by numerous other dear in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.
Taki was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kaoru; and son, Thomas Hiroki Kakazu.
The family would like to thank The Villas of Hollybrook staff for the wonderful care and friendship they gave to Taki and his family. We also thank Transitions Hospice and Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Danville, for their support and assistance.
Mary Ann (Martin) Pickard, aged 94, died on April 20, 2021, in Auburn, AL. She was a retired archivist for the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, Huntingdon College, and the United Christian Ashrams International. Mary Ann was born to James Henry Martin and Lucy (Dillard) Martin on May 10, 1926, in Simpsonville, SC. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband William Marshall “Bill” Pickard, Jr. and her daughter, Mary Susan (Pickard) Zialcita. She is survived by her sister, Martha Sue (Martin) Barcynski; Susan’s son Gerald William Dokka and his wife Kimberly Ann Rice Dokka, and their sons, Jacob William and Steven William; her son-in-law, Lorenzo Juan Zialcita and his and Susan’s children, Susana Marie Zialcita and her husband, Austin Graham and their daughter, Thomasina Milagros Graham, Patricia Ann Zialcita and her husband, Art Mostofi and their daughter, Anahita Maria Mostofi-Zialcita; her son, Henry Martin Pickard and his wife Frances (Guinard) Pickard and their child, Thomas Franklin and his wife, Catherine (Scott) Pickard and their son, Benjamin Scott; her son, William Marshall Pickard, III; her son, Rev. Jamie Earl Pickard and his wife, Barbara (Guinard) Pickard and their children, William Michael and his wife, Kate Woodley, Andrew Wesley and his wife, Kelsey Bergeson, and Rev. Mary Ann Pickard; her son, Paul Wesley Pickard, M.D.,and his wife, Susan (Nelson) Pickard and their sons, James Wesley and William Nelson.
Mary Ann moved with her family to Decatur, GA (a suburb of Atlanta) in 1930. She graduated from Decatur Girls High School in 1943 and from Agnes Scott College in 1947, with a degree in History. She met her husband of 56 years at a college debate tournament. She was the timekeeper; he was one of the judges. No one won more at that tournament than the two of them. They married in 1946 and moved to Alabama where Bill was a Methodist minister. For the next eight years, they served congregations at Centreville, Brundidge, and Thomasville, all in Alabama, while welcoming the first three of their five children: Susan (1948), Henry (1951), and Marshall (1953).
In 1954, Mary Ann and Bill served as United Methodist missionaries to the Philippines. They remained in the mission field for the next 16 years, first as district missionaries in Tuguegarao, Cagayan province, and then at Knox Memorial United Methodist Church in Manila. During this time, Mary Ann worked as assistant to the noted missionary and theologian E. Stanley Jones. She preserved copies of Jones’s writings now deposited at the Asbury Theological Seminary. While in the Philippines, Mary Ann and Bill added son Jamie (1956) and son Wes (1961) to their family. Returning to the U.S. on furloughs, the Pickards crisscrossed the continents. Mary Ann and Bill would continue to travel in later years, visiting Russia, South Korea, and India in connection with their work for the United Christian Ashrams, a spiritual retreat movement.
The family came home to Alabama in 1970. Bill took up twin posts as Professor of Religion at Huntingdon College in Montgomery and part-time pastor of Woodland UMC in Pike Road. Mary Ann trained as a professional archivist, acquiring certification from the Academy of Certified Archivists and joining the Society of American Archivists and the United Methodist Historical Societies. She helped establish an archive for the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the UMC at Huntingdon and served as archivist for the conference as well as for Huntingdon College for 19 years. She soon also became the archivist for the United Christian Ashrams. Collaborating with Bill, she organized and led this organization’s central office. She learned to code so that she could design and administer its first website. Anyone who knew her could see how much she treasured this work. Even after she retired, she continued at Huntingdon as Archivist Emerita for nine years, caring for the collections she had developed. In 2017, at the age of 91, Mary Ann moved to Auburn, AL, where she enjoyed friendships with her neighbors at Oak Park Independent Living Center, fellowship at Auburn United Methodist Church, and frequent visits from family. When it was time for a family visitor to depart, Mary Ann would urge them—as her own mother urged her so many years before—to get on the road. She did not want to hold them up. When, just after 5 p.m. on April 20, God urged her to get on the road, she went home.
Rev. Ted Scott Steedman, MDiv ’84, aged 65, of Homewood, Alabama was ushered into the presence of his Heavenly Father on March 29, 2021. He was born February 5, 1956 in Birmingham, Alabama, the second son of the late Edmund Kelsey Steedman and Betty Thacker. On August 12, 1977, he was joined with Marcia Terry of Vestavia Hills, Alabama in holy matrimony. Ted attended Elyton School and Indian Springs School before graduating from Ramsey High School. While in school he dreamed of being a pilot in the Air Force, but his poor eyesight kept him from flying. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Alabama for one year before transferring to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. While at UAB, he was also a member of the Birmingham Fire Department, Engine 10, and eventually became the department chaplain. While attending a lay witness mission he received his calling into ministry. He became a student pastor at West Haven United Methodist Church while completing his Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology. After graduating in 1981, he attended Asbury Theological Seminary where he obtained his Master of Divinity degree in 1984. He spent two years as an associate pastor before becoming an ordained elder in the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church. From 1984 until 1990, Ted pastored churches in North Alabama including West Haven (student), East Lake (associate), Shiloh, Ebenezer, St. Paul-Whitehall, Central Heights, and Wesley Chapel. In 1990, he took a medical leave of absence to seek treatment for severe migraines. After a year of utter boredom, he convinced his doctor to allow him to attend school. He returned to UAB where he obtained a second master’s degree in counseling, while pastoring the youth at his family church, 11th Avenue United Methodist. After completing his degree and gaining his doctor’s approval, he began working as a Family and Child Specialist in Therapeutic Foster Care with Gateway in 1995. In 1996, weeks before his 40th birthday, he suffered a massive heart attack, which resulted in a thirty-five minute code and left him with no brain activity. His doctors said he medically had no chance of surviving off life support, but that he was young and strong, and they wanted to give him another day. God’s Army sprang into action, and Ted’s longtime friend and mentor, the Rev. Corky Bell, drove down from his church in Gatlinburg to pray healing over Ted. With the family gathered, Corky asked for anyone who did not believe 100% that Ted could be healed to leave the room; they joined hands and Corky began to pray. As he finished, Ted opened his eyes, squeezed Marcia and Corky’s hands and mouthed “Amen.” This was just the beginning of Ted’s miraculous healing journey. Within six months, he was walking, driving, and back to his general pre-heart attack physical condition. However, the heart attack and anoxia caused permanent brain damage, and he was unable to continue actively pastoring, counseling, and teaching. Instead, he continued his life of service by volunteering with The Church at Ross Bridge and its predecessors Aldersgate United Methodist Church and 11th Avenue United Methodist Church, Camp Winnataska, the Boy Scouts, the Homewood High School Band and more. Ted was known for his sharp mind, resilient spirit, deep faith, and devotion to his family. He is survived by his wife, Marcia Steedman, his daughter, Ashley Setters (Marc), his son, Scott Steedman (Rachell), his grandsons, Connor Bryant, Dylan Bryant, and Eli Steedman, his granddaughter, Allie Steedman, his brother, Ed Steedman (Liz), and his sister, Carol Spain (Ken Roberts). He will be missed by all who knew him, but we rejoice in the knowledge that he has gone before us to join his Father in heaven.
May our Brothers and Sisters Rest in Eternal Peace.