The Last Chapter

David asked me to write the last chapter of his story.

I am just going to document his final days and leave most of the talking to the those who were personally helped and inspired by David.

They are are listed on their own page – Inspired by David.

– Roger

 

Last days

David was admitted to hospital at the end of April. Sepsis was diagnosed and was being treated.
Further tests indicated that he had Liver and Stomach Cancer, which was not treatable and he was changed to a palliative care plan.

His family were able to visit him two times in hospital.  Thier last memory is of David being his usual self including joking and teasing his sister.

He took comfort from the many messages of support from friends and relatives  that were shared with him.

He was transferred to Barnsley Hospice  where he passed away at 10 am 8th May 2018.

 

Celebrating His Life

The Funeral took place on Thursday 24th May. There was a short private service at the Crematorium where David’s sisters, Deborah and Alison shared their reflections on their brother.

This was followed by a service at Hemsworth Christian Fellowship

David had given some specific instructions for his funeral, which even extended to the refreshments afterwards.

We heard songs written and sung by David, a reading of Psalm 139 (message version).
Songs included God’s not Dead by the newsboys; It is well with my soul, by Matt Redman;  Oh Lord you’re beautiful by Keith Green and My Lighthouse by the Rend Collective.
Ollie Hall shared memories of David and there were bubbles!!
David and Rachel used to blow and catch kisses, like bubbles.
The refreshments afterwards – as requested by David, were Sandwiches and Chips, followed by Ice Cream with marshmallows and sprinkles.

There was plenty of tea – as you would expect.

A service to celebrate David’s life was held at Shirley Community Church in Solihull, on Saturday 16th June.
Tributes were shared by Deborah and Alison,Paul Dando, Ollie Hall.
Some of the comments posted on Facebook and on this site were also shared.

The offering taken at the two services came to £360.
This was donated to the Renal Unit at Sheffield Hospital as per David’s wishes.

 

Final words

David subscribed to several on-line devotional messages, this quote is from one of them.

“Dying well means dying for others, making our lives fruitful for those we leave behind.”  Henri Nouwen

Through his story, messages and songs preserved on this website, David has left a legacy for others, his story will continue to encourage and help others.  
David had a faith and was a follower of Jesus Christ and believed Him when he said this:

Jesus said (to her), “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25

Knowing David, he would ask the same question to each of us.
Do we believe this?

 

Is this Really the last chapter?

“And as He spoke, He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle