Tribute to Graham Keltner 10-27-24

The tears hit when I heard the news. 

I spoke to Graham two weeks ago and it seemed like there was hope…it appeared the worst was behind him even though his continued treatment was going to be challenging. He sounded good, and we talked about his favorite subject, Jesus Christ. Graham was content in the Lord with whatever his outcome would be. After all, eternal life is not a consolation prize.

I love Graham Keltner and always will. His childlike innocence and genuine affection for all of us will live on as an example of godly character. Though Graham and I were in different parts of the country for the past 40 years, I spoke to him often over the last five years and always smiled when he talked about his sinful days before Christ when he was 12 or so and causing mischief in his neighborhood, falling to peer pressure, and rebelliously disobeying his parents when told to go to bed. Young Graham was out of control.

I’ve known Graham since grade school, and I never saw him as anything but a Christian…a rare gem of fallen humanity who followed the Savior as a child. There was Daniel, Shadrach, Meschack, Ebednego, Samuel, David, and Graham. Graham’s salvation was so real that I sometimes avoided him because his presence convicted me.

But Graham did not see himself the way I did. Graham saw himself as a sinner saved by grace. He often spoke of the Prodigal Son and the love of a father who came running to embrace his rebellious son who humbled himself and returned home. Graham spoke of Jesus, not as an example of good behavior, but as righteousness personified, of holiness in the form of man, and as peace in the battle of our will against God’s. 

This morning I sat outside as the sun came up and read posts about my old friend. I wept, but I didn’t cry for Graham, I cried for you and me. Our friend, our rock, and our compass always pointing to Christ is gone, and it hurts. There is a void. There is an open wound, but if Graham was right (and I believe with my whole heart he is) there is a God who is concerned about the plight of his children. There is a God who left the comfort and majesty of heaven to be one of us, and he lived as a man, he died as God, and he rose from the dead so that you and I can rise from death to be with him and be reunited with his sheep. And that’s where Graham is right now, and I can see him in my mind’s eye entering the gates of heaven as Jesus meets him, embraces him, and kisses him: “Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.”

‘Rest In Peace’ is an ancient and trite saying which refers to any person’s death regardless of their behavior, moral character, or spiritual condition, but when it comes to Graham Keltner, resting in peace is a perfect description. He was a man who spent his entire adult life resting in the peace of Christ, and now he rests there forever.

In addition to his great salvation, God gave Graham a beautiful woman to be the wife of his youth. Michelle and Graham were born to be together, and they always were. Michelle, I am heartbroken for you, yet I know you would not have changed a thing if you could have foreseen this day. Just as I admire Graham, I admire you greatly as a godly example and faithful wife. May the peace of God fill you forever.

Graham…I miss you terribly brother, but I’ll see you again soon…

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21