Three lessons I learned from Wayne Cahoon

My wife and I moved to Seeley Lake in August of 1993. Wayne and his wife Sandee were among the first people we met here in Seeley Lake. In fact, during our first Sunday worship service at Mission Bible Fellowship, back when service was still held upstairs, I believe we literally met everyone who attended that morning, and it seemed to me most of them had the last name of Cahoon! There was Melvin and his family, John and his family, Ralph and his family, and Wayne, Sandee, David and Chelsea (Christian and Joshua had not yet been born).

Wayne Cahoon wore many hats: father, husband, brother, son, coach, grandpa, friend, mentor, employer, business partner, uncle, Sunday School teacher, etc. I had the privilege of working for him for about a year, being his friend for many years, and he was very instrumental in helping me get established in the construction industry. As I look back, I came up with three lessons I learned from Wayne Cahoon.

1. Friendship matters. To know Wayne was to know that he was a friendly guy. He was always ready to strike up an interesting conversation, and always quick to invite others to join in what he was up to – whether it was snagging salmon, watching the Super Bowl, hitting the golf ball, boating on the lake, or barbecuing at his home, it seemed like there was always a standing invitation to join in. Wayne was a friend to many and showed that friendship matters.

2. Family matters. As an employee, I appreciated seeing Wayne involve his young kids in his business. Rather than being a nuisance to him, they were a welcome part of his work day, and he enjoyed spending time with them, and teaching them the various skills that he had learned throughout his life. As they got older, he continued to pour his life into them, being involved in their sporting activities, and also inviting them to be involved in his work and hobbies. Wayne was a committed father, husband, and grandfather, and showed that family matters.

3. Faith matters. Wayne had a strong Christian faith, was quick to share it and live it out in a generous manner and I had the privilege of going to church with Wayne for many years. We served together in leadership roles and, although we did not always agree on minor issues, we did agree on all the essentials. Having had a couple of heated discussions with Wayne only serves to prove the point that he was passionate about his faith and that is a great quality. Wayne was thankful to God for who He is and what He has done. Wayne trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord of his life and Savior who died to pay the penalty for his sins.

Wayne knew where he was going when he died. That is why I look at Wayne’s death as not merely a tragedy but also as a homecoming. Wayne has gone home. Though he will be greatly missed by those close to him, I look forward to seeing him again one day!

Cahoon family and Christian, we are praying for you.