Troy Maxwell was born in 1948 and passed away early Wednesday morning, 7/15/2009 sometime between 2:30 and 3:00.  He had been suffering from cancer for over a year. His wife Karen shared "His eyes were closed and his face showed peace."

Troy became pastor of the Frazier Park Vineyard church in June 1996 after attending there for 2 years.  Whether you are Mormon, Jehovah's Witness, Baptist, Buddist or Atheist, you may have had at least minor theological differences with him.  But no one could deny that here was a man of compassion that cared deeply for others.

I first met Troy 15 years ago one morning at about 5:20.  He was standing on a patch of ground next to the Post Office in Frazier Park; handing out free coffee, donuts, bagels and greetings to any that stopped.  As I sipped the free coffee served with a smile, I asked him why he was out there braving the cold (it was late fall).  He said something like "I spent a long time driving to work in Mojave before dawn and felt lonely; wondering if anyone cared for me.  So I thought I could show people on this road that some do care."

Troy Maxwell gave freely to others and as pastor he encouraged others to do the same.  My own family benefitted from this generosity when I nearly lost my life in a car accident 5 years ago; even though I didn't attend his church.  I will never forget it.  Through the years, Troy gave all he could to help neglected children and struggling families in our community. He will be greatly missed.

Karen Maxwell requests that the money many would spend on flowers be donated to The Vineyard benevolence fund.  "This money could be used to help others in need" says Karen; "Troy would have wanted it that way."

James 1:27
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.