Jeffrey Allen Tuten -MACON - Jeffrey Allen Tuten, age 50, of Macon, passed away Friday, June 24, 2011. -Jeff was born February 16, 1961 and was a member of Forest Hills United Methodist Church. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was preceded in death by his mother, Marilyn B. Tuten. -Survivors include his son, Daniel Allen Tuten; father, Allen Tuten; sister, Mary Jane Tuten; and grandson, Taylor Chase Tuten, all of Macon. -The family may be contacted at the residence of Allen Tuten, Magnolia Manor Villa 104A, 200 Pierce Avenue, Macon and will receive friends from 4:00 to 5:00 P.M. Sunday at Crest Lawn. -Memorial services will be 5P.M. Sunday, June 26, 2011 in the Chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home. The Reverend Gary Walker and the Reverend John Brown will officiate. Graveside services will be 11A.M. Monday, June 27, 2011 in Omega Cemetery, Baxley, Georgia. The Reverend Gary Walker and the Reverend Patrick Brannen will officiate. -In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Jeffersonville Church of God, Post Office Box 141, Jeffersonville, Georgia 31044. -Please sign the online registry at www.crestlawnfuneral.com. -Crest Lawn Funeral Home of Macon, and Swain Funeral Home of Baxley in charge of arrangements.


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Jeff Tuten

            I’m John Brown and I serve as pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Monticello.  Though I stand before you as a pastor, more importantly I stand before you as a friend of Jeff Tuten.  Jeff and I share the bond of the blue and gold as we were part of the 1979 graduating class of Tattnall Square Academy.

            We have gathered in this place today to mourn the passing of Jeff.  We come together today acknowledging the grief that comes with human loss.  Yet, even more than coming together we sense of grief we also come to this place to celebrate his life.  In the face of death we can celebrate his life because of the eternal love and grace of Almighty God.           

            On a hot summer afternoon in 1976 between my freshman and sophomore years of high school, I was working out at the Powebuilders weight lifting gym in preparation for a season of riding the bench with the Tattnall football team.  Marty King and David Mitchusson were there as well and during our workout Marty or David, I can’t remember which one, mentioned that there were going to be some new people at school when classes resumed in late August.  One of the names they called was Jeff Tuten. Marty and David had known Jeff but I had not.

Jeff soon made a place for himself at his new school.  I immediately found him to be a nice guy and we became friends.  It was during our sophomore year that many of us took driver’s education.  Coach Reid, our driver’s education instructor would take us driving in groups of three.  Jeff, Houdie Oliver and I comprised such a group.

 I don’t know how many accidents and moving violations eventually came out of that group but Coach Reid later remarked that he was always thankful to see the school parking lot after a driving session with us.

            Anyone that new Jeff knew him to be a fun loving guy.  There was never an ounce of pretense in Jeff what so ever.  Let’s be honest.  Jeff marched to the beat of his own drum and was not afraid to test limits and boundaries.  However, I will also say this---Jeff did not have a viscous bone in his body.  Jeff was a friend to all.

            I recall our class reunion in 1994.  I had been asked to offer a few words in memory of our deceased classmate Houdie Oliver.  As the evening grew late my wife and I decided to return to our home, which was in Augusta at the time.  Before I left, Jeff came and said “You made me cry.  Houdie was my friend and I love my friends.”

            Today we have shed our tears because our friend, one that we have loved has passed the bonds earthly life.  Whether we knew Jeff as a friend or whether we knew Jeff through the ties of family we all have our memories.  Whether it is a memory of spending time with him in the outdoors, sharing a few laughs and having good time with him, or living with him in a family relationship there are certain memories of Jeff that will always bring a smile to our face.  For those of us who attended school with him we will always remember his calling our French teacher “an old goat” which I suppose is actually French for “you’re our favorite teacher” or Jeff asking Mr. Magnan if the jade ring Mr. Magnan always wore was a mood ring.  We will always remember his exclamation of “Aw man” anytime something excited him for good or bad.

 Honesty compels us to say that there will also be memories of things that caused many people frustration as well, but in the end what we will remember is a man who tried to squeeze everything from life that he could.  The truth is that when we remember Jeff there will be memories of one who refused to be a wall flower at the dance of life.

            Today we are called to keep those memories alive in our hearts.  I propose to you that memory is God’s way of allowing those who we love to remain with was thought they no longer walk as our earthly companions.  If we keep our memories of Jeff alive in our hearts, then he will never be far away.

            Today we not only celebrate the memories and life of Jeff we celebrate the fact that Jeff was and is a child of God.  Further, we celebrate the fact the Jeff Tuten is a recipient of the grace of God.  We loved Jeff Tuten.  However, God loves him more.  A few moments ago we heard those stirring words that Saint Paul wrote to the Christians of the church at Rome. Paul said “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

            Today we claim God’s love for Jeff.  God loved Jeff in life and in death God loves Jeff.  Today we commend Jeff into the hand of Almighty God, the one whose care is perfect and love is eternal.  We celebrate that God’s love is unsearchable and unchangeable, unbending and unbroken and we stake our claim in God’s grand and glorious love.

            As followers of Jesus Christ we affirm today that God has an eternity planned for his people.  I cannot describe God’s eternity.  The Bible offers many different descriptions of the place we commonly call heaven.  In the book of Revelation St. John describes heaven as a place of no mourning, no crying, no pain and no death.  In the fourteenth chapter of John’s Gospel Jesus describes heaven as dwelling forever in the father’s house.

            The truth is that heaven is indescribable to the human mind for the glory of God is greater than anything that human beings can comprehend and for that we rejoice today.

            That said, I have a vision of what I hope heaven is for Jeff.  I see Jeff on a lake filled with bass that are biting and catfish that waiting to be caught. I see Jeff in a patch of woods filled with deer and other animals that test all of his skills as a hunter.  I see Jeff gazing at the glory of God and saying “Aw man.”

            Today we give God the glory for sharing Jeff Tuten with all of us.  Jeff left us too soon.  Today we are tempted to ask why Jeff left us so soon but the truth is that even if we could answer that question.  No today we cannot answer the question of why but we can answer that question of who.  We can affirm today that God welcomes his child home and the God that welcomes his child home also stands with us to comfort us in our grief and to ease the pain of his loss.  Yes, we love Jeff Tuten.  As much as we love him we celebrate that God loves him even more.  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen and Amen.