Earle William Fike, Sr., 1905-1993

Earle William Fike, Sr. was born December 7, 1904, in Eglon, West Virginia. He was the son of the Rev. Ezra Fike and Cora Hamstead Fike. He was a direct descendant of Christian Fike (what a prophetic name) who settled around 1745 on the Schulkill River in Berks County north of Reading, Pennsylvania.

Dad was part of a family noted for its large number of clergy. The Fike family has produced over 100 ministers. Each generation has had several ministers who have been part of the Brethren heritage (Church of the Brethren). Dad was born in the Brethren Church and joined the United Methodist Church early in his ministry.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Bridgewater College in 1928 (there have been over 50 of us in the Fike family who have graduated from Bridgewater College), and later earned his seminary degree from Duke University's Graduate School of Theology. He also attended school at West Virginia University.

The call to the ministry came early for Dad. He knew even as a farm boy in West Virginia that he would become a minister of the Gospel. He often stated that his father was the guiding inspiration for his life's work.

As a minister in the Virginia Annual Conference, Dad served churches throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia including the Eastern Shore, Northern Virginia, and Southwest Virginia. His wife and partner throughout his ministry was Ann Blackburn Fike. Mother loved being a part of Dad's ministry. I think she was called to be a minister's wife. My older brother, Dr. Earle William Fike, Jr., has continued the Fike tradition as a member of the clergy. Our family included six children (three daughters and three sons). Dad had one brother, five sisters, 13 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Dad was very proud of his work with the older adults of the conference. His energy and skills were put to good use in organizing and improving the programs and services for older adults. Dad was also skilled in drawing architectural plans and building. He was exceptionally proud of his design of Tabernacle United Methodist Church in Chancellor, Virginia. As a teenager I assisted him as a carpenter's helper with the construction of Tabernacle. That was a great father/son experience. He also built the parsonage of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Danville (help in assisting in that construction project fell to my younger brother, Terry Lee). Dad's ministry lasted for over 60 years. His great joy in life was being a minister of the Gospel.

My father was a gifted individual who experienced life with strong emotions. He was a sensitive man who felt the turmoil and confusion of life faced many times over in the lives of those he served. He walked in the valley along with those he counseled and he walked on the mountaintop when fears, troubles, and doubts were conquered.

Dad died in Danville, Virginia, on January 31, 1993. After two years of failing health, he met death with dignity and grace, and did not complain. His funeral was held at St. Luke's with interment at Highland Burial Park. My two sons, David and John, along with members of St. Luke's congregation were pallbearers. Dad will be missed by his family and those he served. His life had meaning and substance.

God has given, and God has taken away. I am especially thankful for the life of my father. I am not depressed about his death. I will remember his life and the love which he gave. My life along with those he served has been immeasurably enriched.

-B. Ray Fike