Bishop Huxel - Off on a New Adventure

Our former Bishop, Jim Huxel, passed away yesterday after a valiant battle with cancer. I believe he won that battle because I can't think of a person I know who, despite great adversity, is more optimistic or who thinks of others and tries to serve more than Jim Huxel. After helping friend of ours move into our ward, he came to our house on that same icy day in February to help us move. Although in his 60's (I think, I could never tell how old he was because he had so much energy and smiled all the time) he was as strong as all the guys in their 20's and helped us until we were all finished moving our stuff into the house. Both Linda and Jim Huxel have made an indelible impression on our lives, and we will never forget their love and service to us.

I am not sad for Bishop Huxel, except that he will miss his Linda and family. I am happy for him because he was ready and welcomed the new. He's off on a new adventure. I know his energy and vigor were waiting for him on the other side, and now he's been called on a new mission and is sharing the happy news with everyone who will listen to him, and he's rejoining friends and loved ones and making new ones.

My heart and our prayers go out to Linda and her family though. It is a great loss. But I know that this is not the end of their beloved husband, father and grandfather. They will be together again. In one of my favorite sermons, Sunday Will Come, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said, "When Christ rose from the grave, becoming the firstfruits of the Resurrection, He made that gift available to all. And with that sublime act, He softened the devastating, consuming sorrow that gnaws at the souls of those who have lost precious loved ones."

You can watch his whole message by clicking the video above.

"Because of the life and eternal sacrifice of the Savior of the world, we will be reunited with those we have cherished.

On that day we will know the love of our Heavenly Father. On that day we will rejoice that the Messiah overcame all that we could live forever.

Because of the sacred ordinances we receive in holy temples, our departure from this brief mortality cannot long separate relationships that have been fastened together with cords made of eternal ties.

It is my solemn testimony that death is not the end of existence. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” ⁷Because of the risen Christ, “death is swallowed up in victory.” ⁸

Because of our beloved Redeemer, we can lift up our voices, even in the midst of our darkest Fridays, and proclaim, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” ⁹

When President Hinckley spoke of the terrible loneliness that comes to those who lose the ones they love, he also promised that in the quiet of the night a still, unheard voice whispers peace to our soul: “All is well.”"

For those who new Jim Huxel, here are the details for the viewing and funeral:
Friday, December 20^th: The viewing will be at the Maher Melbourne Funeral Home from 4-8pm.  This is located on the southeast corner of Mayfield and Belvoir near the GetGo gas station. 

Saturday, December 21^st: The funeral service will be held at 10 am. at the Mayfield church building 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

32895 Cedar Rd. Mayfield Heights, OH 44124

MAP