My long time friend, brother in Christ, father to some of my oldest and best friends, and husband of a lady who has been an encouragement to me, and many others for many years, Carroll S. (Sarshel) Culton, Jr., was taken to be with the Lord this week. Carroll S. Culton, Jr. Sarshel will be missed by many for many reasons, some of them common to all of us, and some of them personal to each one of us. Sarshel was a passionate and emotional man. This was evident in his responses to matters he cared deeply about, whether they be something involving his family, or a national or world event, or course of history. However, I think what endeared him to many, and what will be his greatest rewards in heaven, were his readiness and willingness to serve and minister, sometimes tirelessly, to those to whom others might not be so available to reach. I’m reminded of his many trips to take a blind lady in the church to various appointments and shopping, not over a few days, or weeks, or months, but for years. Or the young man who was institutionalized, and whose sometimes only connection with the outside world, was his many, many calls to Sarshel, again, not over a few days or weeks, or months, but for years. Just a few weeks ago, and after his diagnosis, while sitting with him in the living room, I was unable to keep from listening in to an obviously very unusual conversation he was conducting on the phone. Without going into personal details, suffice it to say that I subsequently learned that he had been putting into motion the first steps to re-acquaint a mother and her son, whom she had not seen for over 20 years. I can't help but believe, that our Creator and Lord, is more concerned with how we minister to those around us in our daily lives, than the so called great accomplishments the world, and even sometimes our friends, think are so wonderful. I wonder who I would call if I were blind, or institutionalized. And I can only pray that when I am told I only have a few weeks to live, that I will still be available to serve others where God leads. And I’m thankful I had the chance to tell Sarshel that I will miss him. May the Lord be with his wife, Bea, his children, extended family, and all the rest of us who loved and miss him. Public Obituary below; Carroll S. Culton, Jr. Born May 23, 1922 in San Francisco, CA. After a short bout with acute myelocytic leukemia, passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord Thursday morning, November 17, 2005 in Sacramento, CA. A third generation Californian, he was the oldest son of Carroll S. Culton Sr. and Mary Bernice (Edwards) Culton. He was raised in Winters, Yolo County and lived in California all his life, the last 53 years in Sacramento. He is survived by his wife, Bertha Chadwick Culton, his sister Mary Keep; children Paul , Steven, Deborah (Culton) Miller, and Robert; grandchildren Patrick Murray, Rebekah O'Neill, Elisabeth Culton, Stacey Petteys, Stephanie Culton, Steven Culton Jr., Molly Culton, Cory Culton, Braxton Miller, Katherine Miller, Andrea Austin, Whtiney Austin, Daniel Austin, Michael Culton, Amanda Culton and Joshua Culton; great grandchildren Bradly O'Neill, Jordan Petteys, and Jack Petteys. During World War II, he served as a civilian employee at Mather AFB, rigging and outfitting the B-25 bombers that participated in the famous Gen. Jimmy Doolittle raid. Later, he worked in the hospital helping recovering veterans with occupational therapy. He taught in California schools for 31 years, 26 as a teacher in the Sacramento City Unified School District. He was an artist, floral designer, and an avid collector of antique furniture. He was responsible for the design and construction of several prize-winning floats entered in Sacramento's Camellia Parades on behalf of the schools where he taught. He spent countless hours creating works of art in needlepoint. In his retirement years, he became very involved in national political issues, corresponding with and supporting several political action committees and associations. He lovingly served the Lord both in his public life as a teacher and his private life among his family and friends. He will be missed.