Eldred’s family wanted to be sure you knew of Eldred’s passing. AZIFM was near and dear to his heart in furthering peace and understanding among ALL peoples. Feel free to share the news as you feel best. The Memorial Service will be held on May 9th at 11am at the Community of Christ Church, 4224 N 44th St., Phoenix, AZ 85018 followed by a “Potluck” lunch and reception.
Meeting ID: 869 8463 7067 – Passcode: Central – One tap mobile +12532158782 ,,79737843654# _
Below is what was shared with members in Arizona, and below that is what was shared by Community of Christ with the world church.
“It is with profound sorrow that the Arizona Mission Center shares Eldred Spain’s passing between Thursday evening (3/26) and Friday morning (3/27).
Eldred was 91 years young, with a love for people that seemed inexhaustible. Eldred was a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, cheerleader, confidant, Counselor, and friend. As an Evangelist in Community of Christ, he touched our lives and the lives of many in Arizona, the U.S., and the world.
Our hearts go out to Eldred’s family and we have known and loved them over our many years of knowing and loving our cherished friend, Eldred and his loving wife, Carolyn. My goodness he will be missed by us all. Eldred was declared by consensus of our Board and Council to be our AZIFM President Emeritus a couple of years ago for his exemplary service and Golden Rule example within our organization and out in the community.
>>>Please check back as we will fill this page with interfaith prayers and stories that show our love for Eldred Spain…
Our love prayers and stories from our AZIFM Family…
From by Karolyn Benger, Jewish: I’m deeply saddened by the loss of Eldred. He was a dear man, committed to the Golden Rule, and his every action was filled with kindness. I was blessed to know him and am grateful for the time I had with him. He guided Arizona Interfaith Movement with wisdom and love. I met Eldred for coffee once, it was raining that day and I recall passing many accidents on the way, worried about him. He had already arrived at the coffee shop and was waiting with his signature smile and friendly attitude. The next two hours were spent hearing his incredible stories and learning about this beautiful man. May his memory be a blessing and may his family find comfort in his legacy. Baruch Dayan Emet.
From Nancy Splain, United Church of Christ … the photo I took of him at Experience Interfaith last week. Captures the beautiful energy he imparted to all who had the blessing of knowing him. A life well lived.
From Anne Taylor, Christian Scientist: Eldred is a truly kind-hearted man who was a friend to everyone. He lived his faith and and the Golden Rule in his life. That meant so much to me. He served as AZIFM Board / Council President for 15 years and with such grace, love, patience and kindness. He left his problems out of the meeting and was the best listener I’ve ever known. He would sometimes say “we have 2 ears and one mouth.” He wanted everyone to be heard and respected. I loved being with him just a week ago at Experience Interfaith and he was his joyful self, and happy to get his Sikh turban from a previous year, retied. After a really fun evening, I got to hug him before he went home and we both repeated his family line we both loved, “PEACE YOU’uns”. It always made him laugh and I loved that he was a living example of peace in our world. I will miss him so much – yet, I know he continues his spiritual journey and is still being a wonderful blessing.
From Anita Rangaswami, Hindu: We are shocked and so sorry to hear this sad news…..right after the EI event on Tue. Eldred and I chatted all through dinner as he sat next to me in the line. He was certainly in good spirits and seemed just fine. In our daily prayers today, we prayed for his soul to rest in peace and for the family to bear this sudden loss of a loved one. He was loved and respected by a lot more people beyond the family too…. May God give everyone the strength to bear this sudden loss.
From Glenda Lambert, Family Federation for Peace and Unification: Oh My! So sad to hear this news. Our elder brother Eldred was such a vibrant, grounded and loving person! Loved when he was leading the meetings with his strong and compassionate but clear voice!
From Larry Bell, Jewish: My deepest condolences. He was a wonderful man and a major inspiration for AZIFM.
From Mike Wold, Christian, Institute for Healing of Memories: I had a special relationship with Eldred. At all our in-person events, we found time to chat. We both loved to talk about good leadership characteristics. He was a model for me in many ways.
From Betty McGee, AME: I am so sorry and grieved to hear this very sad news. Here is a video I captured of Eldred last Tuesday at our interfaith gathering. [Note, we’ll pass this along on Facebook if we can.]
Many phone calls … Muslim, SGI Buddhist, Christian….expressing sadness at hearing the news and appreciating Eldred in the highest ways. He was so loved and appreciated!
From Hillary Abplanalp, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: He walked up to me at the Faith Fair and said “I want to thank you.” I said, “Hi Eldred; for what?” He told me that it meant so much to him that I made a comment about him being amazing at an Interfaith Council Meeting. I didn’t recall the comment but I did recall gaining great respect for him over the last few years. It seemed that everything he said was so thoughtful and tempered.
I’ve known a lot of great people nearing death, both young and old, who seemed to have achieved a level of refinement before the end. They seemed to have a light about them that showed they were ready to go, that they had truly used this life to prepare to meet God. That sense in Eldred these past few years has put me in awe of him and I truly was amazed.
After the Faith Fair ended we continued talking. Eldred was the Board President of AZIFM when I joined many years ago. He also used to live in Independence, Missouri where I’m living now so we had a lot to talk about. We walked down the steps to the Faith Discussion portion of the event. I was so involved in the conversation that I forgot to take off my shoes when entering the gurdwara. I ran back out and apologized. We continued talking when I returned and he asked me to sit in his discussion circle.
Days before the event, Dr. Celoza, the Executive Director of the Arizona Interfaith Movement asked me to help him facilitate the interfaith discussions for all the circles. I knew that and I knew it was important — one of the main reasons I was on this trip to Arizona, but at that moment, I was being prompted to do something else. I kept my full attention on Eldred Spain, participated with him in that discussion circle and made sure his wisdom in his faint voice could be heard by others in the circle. Just then, Dr. Celoza handed me a paper and said you’re in charge, indicating that I would be the circle facilitator. I’m very grateful that he was able to go with the flow of what was happening. He didn’t pull me out of the circle and give me the microphone or give me a stack of papers to help him hand out. It seems we were all united in whatever the Spirit wanted to happen. His council, kindness, unity and wisdom permeated the circle and edified all of us. As the facilitator, I was able to help people focus on his words and I’m so glad I did.
In answering one question about how we make room for the ideas of others he said, “It’s simple math. We have two ears and only one mouth so we should listen twice as much as we talk.” He then said something that a young boy in the circle thought was very inspired. He said, “wait, we have one more ear when you remove the H and the T. The young Jesuit boy exclaimed, “Oh, your heart!” I never realized the word heart had an ear right in the middle.
I’m so glad we all listed to Eldred with our hearts that day. He was trying to teach us something important. We learned. I remember thinking he looked frail but I had no idea he would pass away within a week. I feel so blessed for the opportunity to have connected with him that day and blessed to have been associated with him for so many years. His example helped me grow.
From Patricia and Roy Somaiya, Hare Krishna: We are so very sorry to hear about Eldred leaving this world. He was always a very kind and gentle person. We remember his endearing smile and meaningful conversations we had with him. Our prayers go out to his family at this very difficult time for them. Eldred will be missed dearly.
From Brandon Buck, St. Vincent de Paul: I’m so grateful and honored to have had the chance to spend a little time with him. Such an inspiring life.
From Judy Renfro, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: To my beloved friend Eldred Spain, For the past few years, Eldred and I have been driving companions. During our trips, I came to know the man behind the constant smile. He filled my car with laughter and stories of how he met his beloved wife, Carolyn. It was clear where his true treasures lay, as he spoke so reverently about her, his children, and grandchildren. It was a running joke between Eldred and me that I would refer to him as the Arizona Interfaith Movement mascot after all, he had spent a great deal of his time serving as our president creating team spirit. At times, he would share the difficult years of his youth and the courage it took to overcome his temper. I would often tell him that I could not imagine him ever losing his temper, and he would always reply that it was because he had learned to forgive. Each and every time we were together, I found myself gleaning wisdom from the lessons he had taken a lifetime to learn. After we arrived home from Experience Interfaith on March 24th, Eldred shared with me one more funny joke, then stepped out of my car, gave me a hug, and told me he loved me—a moment I will never forget. I will always remember and admire Eldred for his service to others, his courage to do what is right, and his unwavering devotion to his Savior.
From Gurukirn Kaur Khalsa, Sikh: My most recent memory of Eldred was on March 24th, at Experience Interfaith. He came in with the turban that he had had tied on him last year, but it was not yet tied this year. He had just plopped it on his head and walked in with it; it was huge and lopsided, tilted at a rakish angle. He looked like a wandering mystic. It was hysterical and showed his sense of humor and his ability to not take himself too seriously. I laughed out loud seeing him like that and it will always be one of my fondest memories of him.
From Mark A. Klym, MPA, Phoenix Peace Builders: The world has lost a peace maker but his legacy lives on. My Eldred RIP. Peace, nonviolence, love, and all good blessings,
From Marcus Johnson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: I am just learning of Eldred’s passing, and my heart is deeply saddened. What a remarkable man he was. While my association with him has only been over the past several years, he quickly became one of my personal heroes—someone I hoped to emulate. Every interaction I had with him was positive, cheerful, and uplifting. He had a way of encouraging others that felt genuine and lasting. At our Experience & Faith event on March 24, I remember seeing him sitting and enjoying a meal. I couldn’t resist taking a photo. I even mentioned to my wife how inspiring it was to see him at 91, and that I hoped I could live and serve as he has. I didn’t realize that would be the last time I would see him. I am truly grateful for the Arizona Interfaith Movement—for the community it has been for so many years, and for the good it will continue to do in the years ahead. May God bless Eldred’s family.
(Picture is via Marcus)
From Denise Brittain, Libconsulting: His family will be in my prayers.
Shawn Donnelly, Christian – Eldred was a very special man who lit up every room. He radiated kindness and heart for everyone he was in contact with. He brought peace everywhere with him and will be greatly missed.
I didn’t know Eldred well but remember his many services to AZIFM and the interfaith cause. Too short notice for me to come today, but my prayers/thoughts are with him and the continuing progress of his kind soul.
Zarrin – I didn’t know Eldred well but remember his many services to AZIFM and the interfaith cause. My prayers/thoughts are with him and the continuing progress of his kind soul.
Nicole Bennett, Perry Consulting: That is heartbreaking! He was one of the kindest people I know… Praying for his family.
Helen Hunter, AME: Edred Spain was a wonderful man – kind and accepting, philosophical yet practical – open, approachable, and dedicated to serving humanity. His spirit and legacy will live on in his family, friends, and colleagues. An icon in his own right, it is an honor to have known him. He will be missed, Prayers and condolences for his family and loved ones.