Hugh's News & Commentary

I was asked to play a recording session once for a preacher from out of town named Dr. Thurnace York, so I took the job, and part of the rehearsal was done at my house for convenience.

We did the recording, but stayed in touch and once he called me and asked if I would go to Iowa to play for one of his city wide crusades, and I arranged my schedule so that I could, and I went to Otumwa, Iowa, for several days. I played the new Yamaha FX-1 organ that was sent in especially for me to play, and we did all the music.... and Thurnace taught his family series which was very well received.

I thought we might do more of these crusades, but we went in other directions until he called me and told me that he was head of the prayer partners at the City of Faith hospital and that he would be speaking at the Eastlake Assembly of God Church on Sunday morning and he really needed me to come and play and inspire him and the church with my playing, but I told him that I was on the road playing for Vicki Jameson's ministry and was too tired. He implored me and said, "God has a special blessing for you if you will make the effort to come." So I told him that I would come and play for him.

It was very difficult to drive from Oklahoma City to Tulsa and back that Sunday, and there was no honorarium, so I felt dejected on the way back to Oklahoma City driving alone and tired, however........ after the service a gentleman came up to me and said,"I liked your piano playing and I enjoyed hearing you play the organ too." and I said, "that is one of the worst pianos that I have ever played in a church, and the organ is one of the worst models that Hammond makes and the speakers (sound speakers) were atrocious," and he said, "I understand, but I could tell that you were a fine musician and I wonder if you ever played a Theater Pipe organ?" and I said that was my hobby, but there weren't many around these days. Then he held out his hand again and said, "I am Duie Jernigan and I am on the faculty of ORU and we have a nice Wurlitzer Theater Pipe organ in Christ Chapel and a large classical organ in one place and we would like to invite you to come over and play it sometime." I said that I would like that very much.

The next day in a faculty meeting, Oral Roberts told the faculty that the main thing was to find a organist for the University that could play classical organ and theater organ and was not bound by having to read music in case he wanted to sing without waiting on the organist to find the hymn book, and Duie stood up and said, "I have found him,"  and even though I was the organist for a time in the tent crusades, no one remembered me, but God did, and because of Thurnace's invitation, I was at the right place at the right time, and after lots of miracles, I became the University organist at the beginning of the next school year, and remained there for five years until they quit having chapel in the Chapel, but moved it to Maybee center and started using a bunch of students in a "praise band."

I have enjoyed Thurnace' and Ethelyn's friendship over the years and have visited them in Corpus Christi several times, and I am considering moving there when I retire. He is truly a man of God. Happy Birthday Thurnace!!

Thurnace York will be 85 years old on Sunday, April 10, 2011! His two sons would like to invite you to help us "shower" him with birthday cards and well wishes from his friends and relatives. No gifts please. Mailed cards and electronic greetings are welcome. If you want to participate in the "shower" please send greetings to:

Thurnace York
1022 Pyramid Drive
Corpus Christi, Texas 78412

or e-mail to:
thurnace@yahoo.com

[Editor's comment: I thought Wally's story was most inspiring. It is my prayer that his testimony will encourage someone who is going through a trial in his or her life. God knows your name, where you live, and even your telephone number. He is closer than your breathing and nearer than your hands and feet. Believe that God is at work in your life and that something good is about to happen to you.]