RIP: Jon Marc

I attended the funeral of Jon Marc Rutherford yesterday. He was the organist and choirmaster of my church, St. John's Episcopal. He was a young man, about 3 weeks shy of his 41st birthday. My age.

It's amazing to me how many lives Jon Marc touched while he was with us. The church was filled to the gills yesterday. They anticipated a large crowd, so they set up a video feed in the basement so that those that couldn't get seats in the chapel would be able to view it from the lower level. The lower level was filled. There were 347 people in attendance and the service was very touching. The preacher told a few jokes, and we all laughed through many tears. Jon Marc was a very funny man and the laughter seemed appropriate.

Jon Marc loved music. He taught music at Emory University and Woodward Academy. At the service, 85 of his former students formed a choir and sang "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" (acapella). It was beautiful, and very moving.

After the service, Jon Marc's ashes were interred in the Memorial Garden at St. John's. It's not easy to watch a mother bury a son, a brother bury a brother, a partner bury the love of his life. It tears at your very being. It's at that moment that it becomes real.

Rest in Peace, Jon Marc. I only got to know you for 6 months. I feel cheated. I'm sure that you are making beautiful music up above right now.