REV. GARY KENNETH JAVENS (Age 76)
Rev. Gary K. Javens, beloved husband, father, grandfather, pastor and friend, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Tuesday, June 13, 2017. Gary is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Grace Evelyn (Cox) Javens, his two daughters and son-in-laws, Melanie and Calvin Matthews and Cheryl and Tom Steinhice, five grandchildren: Andrew Steinhice and Caily Afualo; Sarah Steinhice Wilton, CJ and Katie Matthews; Rachel Steinhice; Joy and Ryker Dodge; and four great-grandchildren, Thomas Matthews, Grace and Riley Wilton, and Lelea Steinhice, two brothers: Bob and Roger Javens, two sisters and brother-in-laws: Nancy and Jack Fenchel and Karen and Ed Speelman, and numerous nieces and nephews. Gary was born on October 23, 1940 in Beaver Falls, PA to the late Kenneth Price Javens and Rachel Eleanor (Billman) Javens. He met the love of his life, Grace Evelyn Cox, in high school and they were married in 1959. Gary worked in the steel mill of Babcock & Wilcox Co. for seven years, until he was called into the gospel ministry at the age of 27. In 1968, Gary, Grace and their two daughters moved to West Conshohocken, PA where he was the pastor of Balligomingo Baptist Church for six years while attending Eastern Baptist College and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Upon graduation in 1974, he and his family moved to Silver Spring, Maryland where he served as pastor of Clifton Park Baptist Church for 31 years, until 2005. During this time, Pastor Javens was always available to his congregation. He remembered the name of everyone he met and was always ready to give a reason for the hope that was in him (1 Peter 3:15). Many came to know the Lord because of his ministry. After retirement, he served for another two years as the interim pastor of Forest Heights Baptist Church.
Gary devoted his retirement years to spending time with Grace, enjoying time with his family, traveling, fishing, hunting, and golfing which he did until the day the Lord called him home. Gary will be remembered as a joyful person, with a great love for his family and for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. He loved music, nature, playing games, meeting people, telling jokes, gardening, and working crossword puzzles. His family and everyone who knew him will miss this extraordinary man who impacted their lives in many ways.
Services will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at Clifton Park Baptist Church, 8818 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring, MD 20903, Visitation from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and Celebration of Life Service at 11 a.m.
The burial will be in his hometown of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania on Saturday, June 24, 2017; visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. and a service will follow at 11 a.m. A private burial for family members will be at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park in Rochester, PA.