You can read Austin’s obituary here, and watch his beautiful funeral service here.

Every life is holy; and every life lost is equally a wound and tragedy. And yet, each of us at times encounter a death that feels greater, weightier. A death that makes us want to run out into the unknowing world, almost offended that others do not feel their great poverty now at the loss of this great wealth and beauty taken from their midst.

A couple of weeks ago, this world experienced such a loss: Austin Ricketts–husband, father, theologian, mystic, artist, teacher, pastor, counselor, and friend–was taken from us far, far too soon after a hard fight with a mysterious and aggressive cancer.

(If you have followed this blog over the years, you may also recognize him as an occasional guest contributor here.)

I met Austin in 2008 when we both started seminary Summer Greek, and we became fast friends. I always felt a certain communion with him, even though his restless soul always seemed to be existing in another plane. His was a mind to chase and run alongside, and it was a gift when you were the recipient and object of his inquisitive faculties.

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