In our day, there are a lot of voices- few examples.
There are a lot of critics- few “in the arena.”
My Uncle Jack (1942-2025) was a quiet, humble example of a godly man that I had the privilege of knowing my entire life. Uncle Jack was a U.S. Marine Officer- the first Marine I ever knew. The Latin Motto of U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidate School is Ductus Exemplo- Lead by Example. Uncle Jack was a vivid picture of this motto in my life.
In my growing-up years, Uncle Jack lived across the street. Christmas morning, after opening presents, my family and I walked down our long driveway, across the country road, and to Uncle Jack’s house for Christmas breakfast. Every year, we made that brisk walk into a house full of family and love.
Thanksgiving dinner was in that same house every few years. I remember sitting around his living room watching that snowy football game on Thanksgiving when Leon Lett cost the Dallas Cowboys the football game. I remember a living room full of family listening to the iconic voice of John Madden cry, “Oh no! Not Leon Lett!”
Last summer, I had the privilege of sitting in Uncle Jack’s sunroom in his “new house.” We sat quietly and talked about life as he battled the illness that would eventually take him home to be with our Lord. We talked about life, our families, the Marine Corps, church, and who knows what else.
I could share a thousand memories like these. What’s odd about all of these memories is that in most of them, Uncle Jack is a quiet, stable presence sitting with a grin of contentment on his face enjoying the moment in front of him. I can’t ever recall Uncle Jack staring at a smartphone. I don’t ever recall him yelling. I can’t remember him giving a speech or sermon. I don’t know that I’ve read anything that he’s written. He was just there- humbly, quietly, living a godly life.
What follows are just a few highlights of the godly example I had the privilege to witness in the life of R. Jackson O’Day, Jr.
He Led a Quiet Life. The Apostle Paul wrote to His young protege Timothy two short letters. Paul packed a lot of instruction about the life Timothy should lead as he pastored the church in Ephesus. Perhaps you’re familiar with the famous “Preach the Word!” passage at the end of 2 Timothy, but are you familiar with this encouragement? “…that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:2 [ESV]) Uncle Jack led such a life- peaceful… godly… dignified in every way.
He Served Quietly. Uncle Jack served as a Marine Artillery Officer in Vietnam. When I walked in his home as a young boy, to the right was Uncle Jack’s office. In that office hung his Mameluke Sword- the symbol of a Marine Officer. Besides that sword silently hanging in his office, I don’t recall him talking about his service much. Uncle Jack’s service was carried in his backbone and air of quiet confidence- not in false bravado. Jesus taught his disciples in this way, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” (John 13:14-15) Our service to others is to be like kneeling to wash one another’s feet- not drawing attention to ourselves.
He Valued the Word of God. Uncle Jack was a Gideon. What does The Gideons International do? They “distribute Scriptures in strategic locations so they are available to those who want them, as well as to those who may not know they need them.” Surely you have pulled open the drawer in a hotel room to see that Bible with the Gideons’ stamp on it. Uncle Jack served in the Gideons for my entire memory of him- quietly distributing the Word of God all over the world.
He was Quietly Generous. I have no clue how much money Uncle Jack gave into the service of the Kingdom of God- I imagine it was a small fortune. When I left active-duty Marine life to start a new church, Uncle Jack supported our young church financially for years. Knowing his character and how much of a non-event him helping us was, I imagine he did this type of thing all the time.
He Allowed God to Pivot His Life. One of my first memories as a child was the day that my father and Uncle Jack held an auction to sell off their farm equipment. They had been farmers and had been operating the family farm, and then they stopped. Each one found a new occupation- my dad into the electrical trade and Uncle Jack into accounting and the IRS.
The life of a Christian is about steadfastness, but our steadfastness comes with a readiness to pivot. Uncle Jack (and my dad) pivoted their careers in the prime of their working life.
Entertainment Stayed Entertainment. I have learned to appreciate the culture of my extended family when it came to sports. Remember that Thanksgiving Day story about watching Leon Lett lose a game for the Dallas Cowboys? We were into that game– a full living room of probably 20+ people spanning 3 generations cheering and bemoaning all the exciting plays of the final quarter of that very close game. We were into it. And then, when it was over, we moved on with our life. I honestly don’t remember anyone in that room being a die-hard Cowboys or Dolphins fan. We just wanted to be together and experience some fun together. For those of us who are not pursuing a career in entertainment, we should keep it as the salt and pepper of life- not the main dish.
When all is said and done, and we gather together tomorrow to remember Uncle Jack, I will remember a man with a backbone of steel wrapped in velvet. I will remember a man who moved through life quietly, but intentionally. I will remember a calm smile of peaceful contentment.
May we all live a bit more like my Uncle Jack.
I love you guys,
Brian O’Day
Brian O'Day 