Another promotion to glory

Payton brothers: Ernest (d. 2017), Frank (d. 2023), and now George (R.I.P.).


He was the first Salvationist who spoke to me when I visited the Ithaca Corps almost twenty years ago. What a greeting! – warm, inquisitive, utterly genuine. It was the best or second-best first impression ever made on me. (The other was Frank’s, two or three minutes later. You need to meet my brother, George said.)

I spent many good hours with George and his family, but the first moment may have been the most important one. What a gift, to be able to greet strangers in church.

My condolences to Gracie, his wife.

Update (March 14): Here’s a brief obituary.