Daddy's Birthday Today

Today, August 18, 2006 would have been my daddy's birthday. If he had lived, he would have been 80 today. The Lord called him home in December 1966 when he was 40. Daddy has spent almost 40 years in heaven. He left behind his wife, Mary, four daughters, Shirley, Evelyn, Linda, Joanne, and a son, Irvin (that's me). Daddy never held any of his grandchildren (13...seven grandsons and six grandaughters) or his great-grandchildren (17).

Shortly after he died, a close friend of his, Jackie Walker (husband Reverend Julian Walker) wrote this tribute about daddy:

In Memory of Reverend A.J. Rozier

I once knew a man who was one of God's servants
He had the love of God in his heart
He knew the joy of being a Christian
In spreading the gospel. . .he had a part

So many times we'd visit together
I'll never forget the fellowship sweet
But it can't compare with that meeting in Heaven
When we sit and talk at Jesus' feet

I guess there was nothing that A.J. loved better
(For truly he was a good Christian man)
Than to sit down with a good cup of coffee
And talk with somebody of Salvation's Plan

Could we deny him the pleasures of Heaven
And call him back to this earth again
No, we can't question the work of our Father
For we believe this was part of God's plan

Oh how it grieved us to part with this loved one
Knowing his face we'd see here no more
But if we live a life true and faithful
He'll be there to greet us when we reach Heaven's door

Death cannot claim the memory he left us
Though time will ease the ache in our heart
We'll always remember the life that he lived here
And when we reach Heaven we will never part.

Copyright 1967 Jackie Walker

Happy birthday, Daddy! Hope you and Mama (she went to Heaven in 2001) are having a good time. I'll see you again one day.

Your son, Irvin