Though I am not an accomplished poem writter,
I just had to write my feelings down on paper.

There are probably some grammatical mistakes
such as spelling.  Just please overlook those.


Pastor Tom Hulette
May/1998 Graduate of Hyles-Anderson College             A   TRIBUTE   TO   Dr.   Jack   Hyles

                    A mentor, that's what you were.
                    Ever teaching God's simple plan
                    Loving every fallen man
                    Giving wholly as God's firebrand
                    A mentor, that's what you were.

                    A preacher, that's what you were.
                    Doling out needed alms
                    While gently leading us so calm
                    Reminding us of healing balm
                    A preacher, that's what you were.

                    A father, that's what you were.
                    Showing us in God's Word
                    How to raise and undergird
                    A loving family from you we heard
                    A father, that's what you were.

                    A teacher, that's what you were.
                    Ever giving truths you learned
                    For in your heart you did yearn
                    That our hearts for God would burn
                    A teacher, that's what you were.

                    A soul winner, that's what you were.
                    Always sharing the Roman's road
                    For you wanted to take their load
                    And make Heaven their sweet abode
                    A soul winner, that's what you were.

                    A son, that's what you were.
                    Giving joy to a mother grand
                    though meager life made you stand
                    But made you God's greatest man
                    A son, that's what you were.

                    A grandfather, that's what you were.
                    Giving gifts to pass on down
                    A heavenly zeal and a crown
                    A heritage not stripped down
                    A grandfather, that's what you were.


                    A freedom fighter, that's what you were.
                    Fighting for our very rights
                    Carrying on till late at night
                    Making sure we were safe till light
                    A freedom fighter, that's what you were.

                    An educator, that's what you were.
                    Making sure we could get through
                    Our English grammar and rithemetic too
                    And even Greek to keep us true
                    An educator, that's what you were.

                    A scholar, that's what you were.
                    Mr. Nelson would ask of  you
                    And Oliver B. Green  thought you were true
                    When you preached it hard at B J U
                    A scholar, that's what you were.

                    A friend, that's what you were.
                    For if once you were a friend
                    To them you'd always an ear to bend
                    And even if they'd rail and rend
                    A friend, that's what you were.

                    An American, that's what you were.
                    You'd fight for her no matter what
                    You'd  rescue a flag bedraggled or not
                    You'd decry the cowards of Clinton's lot
                    An American, that's what you were.


                    A Pastor, that's what you were.
                    You gave your heart to those in need
                    And it mattered not what crime or deed
                    For back to God you did lead
                    A Pastor, that's what you were.

                    A counselor, that's what you were.
                    You made me special when I would go
                    To talk of plans, my future to know
                    And you always to me would show
                    A counselor, that's what you were.

                    A friend, that's what you were.
                    You wanted to be like Jesus so much
                    So a friend you became to such    
                    You gave to me a loving touch
                    A friend, that's what you were.

                    A child of God, that's what you were.
                    Your life so shined in darkest hour
                    A beacon high on shiny tower
                    Spreading forth with mighty power
                    A child of God, that's what you were.

                    A husband, that's what you were.
                    To Beverly you did show  your love
                    You made her queen so far above
                    No other would do she was your dove
                    A husband, that's what you were.
                        

                                        BY: Pastor Tom Hulette
                                   WRITTEN: February 6-8, 2001

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