Delphus Frankum

By Dr. Phil Aaron

Delphus was my patient and my friend. He had many medical problems and had a remarkable resilience to bounce back from adversity. He was a fighter; he fought hard and was tough.

But it’s not his toughness that I choose to address today. It is his kindness. You know we can all learn from success. If you want to start a business you look to someone to copy who has been successful in business. Take Wal-Mart for example, America’s most successful business. When you walk into Wal-Mart you are met by a friendly greeter who welcomes you and thanks you for coming to Wal-Mart.

Delphus Frankum was my personal Wal-Mart greeter. If his appointment was for 11 o’clock, he would be there at 10—so he could talk to and greet the other patients and fuss with the nurses. And after his appointment he would usually sit and talk some more.

Old friends, strangers, it didn’t matter. When he left he had always made new friends. He never met a stranger. On several occasions I would ask him to sit by a special person who had received bad news. Then when I later checked back they were always engaged in conversation. Delphus loved people, and he loved his family. He didn’t have to think twice when he donated Karen one of his kidneys. He wanted to be her donor. And when I had my own kidney transplant he gave me great support and kindness. Delphus had a special dignity. He had the admirable qualities of a husband, father and a man. His kindness, his admirable qualities are known to all of us in this room.

He had a great life and it surely had a happy ending. He was ready for the final and perfect rest. He found his reward in the undying affection and the passionate devotion of his many friends and family. He did not live so long to see his friends’ love grow cold. He passed away loved and cherished by all, without, I well believe, a single enemy in the world.

And when Brother John Coomer and Jan Corbin soon enter the Pearly Gates to Heaven, they’ll be glad to be greeted by their old friend—The Wal-Mart Greeter—Delphus Frankum