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Requiem for My Friend, My Brother and Mentor

Requiem for My Friend, My Brother and Mentor

Everyone needs a Dennis Butts in their lives. Why? Because we all need a friend, brother/sister and a mentor. We need a person who will give us the truth straight away. Someone that loves enough to not hold back. A person who believes in your best when you are at your worst. One that sees your potential when all you can see are your problems. That's why we all need a Dennis K. Butts, Sr., a person that loves God and the God in you enough to cajole, exhort and push you to to your purpose.

What do you say when a man of God and a strong African American who was a role model and leader dies an untimely death? Death itself is a tough issue to address because it is difficult. Whether the person is advanced in age or young. It is messy and never neat. Regardless of your faith or lack of it, it is never easy.

It is especially hard when a man full of vigor and a builder of people leaves this life. It's tough for a variety if reasons. First, Dennis K. Butts loved God and people and wasn't afraid to show it. His death is a loss to his wife, sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren, Body of Christ, The House of The Lord family, City of Akron, and African American manhood. Also, for 25 years he was my brother, prayer partner, mentor and sounding board. Always he was there to celebrate life's achievements as well to mourn with me in loss.

 Pastor Butts was man who ascended from the inner city of Akron to serve as co-founder of one of the most dynamic churches in the Cleveland region. When most would have rested on their laurels, he leveraged his position to restore marriages, mentor young ministers and work on healing the racial divide in his community. His example is a sign that we all can live an impactful life when we fulfill God's purpose for our lives.

Losing a leader of any race is hard. When we lose one of the best and brightest in the black family it is challenging. He debunked the stereotypes about black manhood by loving God, his wife, family and community. Dennis K. Butts, Sr. was strong in the ways of God and a unselfish community builder. I loved him!

 So, depart from this life into the next, as you enter God's rest and hear, "Well done my good and faithful servant." This is a requiem for a my friend, brother and mentor. Your star shined brightly and led many to Christ. You shined so brightly that you burnt out too soon. But your glow still shines in all of us that you touched. Rest well dear brother until we meet again in the presence of the Lord.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ohio/obituary.aspx?pid=181441848

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