One of the Coolest Men I Ever Knew

Can the simple word “hi” change someone’s life? Yes it can.

This weekend the Grace Church family was deeply sadden to learn of the passing of Roy Wall, a founding member of our church and dear friend to countless people in the community. Roy was the pristine gentleman, with a kind smile, firm handshake, genuine interest in others and a love for all things UNC Tar Heels. There was honestly not a Sunday that went by when Roy and I were present in which we didn’t shake hands, say “hi” and exchange a barb or two about ACC sports (I being a rabid NC State fan… yes, his was the easier of the conversations).

That was my reality for almost 22 years. On Sunday morning Roy would walk in, extend his hand, say “hi there young fellow…” and then a short conversation would ensue. The conversations were rarely deep, the conversations were rarely long, the conversations rarely mentioned anything other than sports… but they were always genuine.

The best part about my interactions with Roy was that I grew to love these conversations as a teenager. As small as they were, these conversations simply conveyed that an adult (other than my parents and youth pastors who, let’s face it, had to love me) cared. He cared enough to ask me what I thought about his favorite team. He cared enough to share a story or two. He cared enough to congratulate me on the rare occasion when NC State did emerge victorious. And it was a care that I looked forward to every Sunday morning from age 12 until age 33.

I find it remarkable that in an age and society that is constantly conveying that image, radical-ness, loudness, hipness, edginess, extremeness and slickness are all what defines “being cool,” it was a simple southern gentleman who I found among the coolest of all. As a youth pastor, I’ve heard so many adults say that they don’t know how to relate to teens, don’t know how to reach the next generation, don’t know how to connect with kids. Take a simple lesson from our dear, late Roy Wall. Just say “hi.” It has the power to change a life. Roy, after all, changed mine.

Thank you Roy,
Jeremy Gwaltney
Staff Pastor
Grace Church of Chapel Hill