Pastor Coffee
by
Dominic Hebert

Coming up, my father sometimes came around, but I never considered us close. In fact, the thing I wanted most was the fatherly affection many of my classmates received. As I began to mature, I came to the realization that a father does not have to be biological or a legal guardian. A father is a man that helps his son to succeed. A father is a shield to fight off the oncoming storms. A dad listens to your problems and helps to find solutions. He speaks to others about your good attributes and accomplishments. Most notably, a real father will Love you and set an example for how you should live. When I consider all of these factors, I have many men that individually possess some of these characteristics, however there are two that have all of these: My grandfather, Reeyce Roland Johnson, and Reverend James E. Coffee; The man that was my Pastor from the time I was a baby. I would be lying if I said that I am the only person who feels this way. My case of reverence and fatherly affection for this man is only one of many.

When I say reverence, I mean that I had a great amount of respect for him. I remember that a year-and-a –half ago he wanted me to write a speech for the Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Contest. Despite the natural speech-giving ability several people have told me I possess, I actually don’t like to write them usually until I am well into it. I did not want to do it, but how could I possibly deny that man after he has shown so much care for me. He asked my grandmother to ask me. The scenario played out something like this: My grandmother – “Dominic, um do you think you could write a speech?” Me – (trying to get out of it) “Granny I’m tired! I really would rather not…” Her – “Come on do it. Just this once and you don’t have to do it again.” “Ughh, Granny I’m tired and I don’t know what to write.” (Let’s just say she knew what her Ace would be) Her – “Pastor Coffee wants you to do it” “Well—I—Uhh...” “I can call him and you can tell him ‘no’ yourself.” “No, no. I’ll do it.” I loved writing that speech because I know that it made him proud that I participated. Pastor Coffee did so many things in his life and I really always wanted to be a man like him.

I had the privilege of interviewing him at the MLK Jr. Day Celebration at the Wells Fargo Center. It was an opportunity to show many others what the people who have spoken seriously with him have seen. He was a great activist, not only in Sonoma County, but the world; Accomplishing so much in this little time that we have on earth. He understood his life’s mission and did not disappoint. Eventually, however, he began to fatigue. All people that have worked hard for others their entire lives and endured incredible pain grow weary. It is the task of truly great and remarkable people to continue the ideals of the greats before them and if anyone besides myself wishes to be like him know that his peaceful movement is now on our shoulders.

The last words that he uttered before God lifted his spirit from physical confinement were “I’m tired and I’m goin’ home.” God gave him a mission and when you complete the life mission the God has bestowed upon you, your deeds transform into spiritual rewards to be received in Heaven. He is, no doubt, enjoying all that he has accumulated. I believe that God sends people like Reverend James E. Coffee to give us a living manifestation of the values we ought to possess.

This world is full of fools; People who continually make foolish decisions based on desire instead of being selflessly based on the needs of others. Essentially, the Greater Good. Rev. Coffee fought to educate people on the good moral values and died still believing in them. He wants wise people to rise in this world. Let me tell you something all saddened need to hear: We can cry! And we will. We can regret not spending more time with him! And some will initially feel that way. We can slowly drift to the center of this lake of sadness! And many would close their eyes to the dry land all around.

BUT I want you all to retract from those feelings momentarily and consider the best angle. We can cry! There’s no denying it for many of us, but let’s not let rivers of sadness saturate our faces, but allow streams of joy to show that you know that it is better for him to no longer be in pain. We can regret! But recall that he was not a man that allowed regret into his mental domain because he believed in positive progress. Regret will counter-balance any positives and leave you stationary. Move on and honor him. We can sit motionless in the center of the lake of sadness, loneliness, & depression, or grasp the ores left behind by Pastor Coffee on the Boat of Benevolence and row ourselves to shore.

Yes, you may begin with mourning, but remember this: Any time a great individual accomplishes their life’s goal and moves on to Heaven, it is cause for celebration. May God continue to Bless everyone that has been touched by him in life, and even in death. Be proud that you can say, “I knew this man and he made a difference in my life.” I know that I will always say this and I will proclaim joyously with conviction that Pastor Coffee is one of the major reasons I am who I am and will develop into.

I leave you with this: As the vessel decays and God whisks away that which once filled it, the message and the mission transcend even the grip of the Angel of Death. Let us carry on.