MADMINISTER.COM

Donald Scherer

Fellow UH Alum, Fellow Youth Worker, Fellow Mad Minister

In early February of 2003, a godly young man went home to be with the Lord. I was pleased to know Donald Scherer and to have been able to experience his passion, his zeal and his overwhelming love for Jesus Christ, the Personal Lord and Savior we shared. In addition to sharing several classes (Dr. Donnelly's web design class & several others), we were in the same graduation ceremony at University of Houston this past December (2002) and the last memory I will carry of Donald is the two of us, among others, laughing and celebrating the beginning of a new phase of life.

Before that, I remember hanging out with Donald at the "Church on the Cutting Edge" Conference being held at Houston's Second Baptist Church. We were both in the Youth Ministry Track and got a chance to dream big about the future.

I have to tell you that Donald was a solid, godly guy and a good friend. But more than that, he would want me to tell you that the most important decision you could ever make would be to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. So, if there's never been a time like that, or if you have your doubts, feel free to get in touch with me. I would love to tell you more about the Jesus that inspired and encouraged folks through Donald's life.

Below is Donald's Obituary as it appeared in the Houston Chronicle:

DONALD RAY SCHERER, 23, born November 23, 1979 in Houston, Texas went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, February 9, 2003. Donald was a 1998 graduate of John Foster Dulles High School in Sugar Land, where he lettered in football, broadcasting and academics. He was also involved with the thespians and Fellowship of Christian Athletes where he served as Vice President for his Senior year and played soccer for 2 years. While in junior high and high school, Donald was an active member of the Westbury UMC youth program, the Agape youth choir, CCYM, DCYM. He received the John W. Armstrong award his senior year. Donald was also active in Boy Scout Troop 1303, earning 41 merit badges and the Eagle rank in 1994 while a brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow-Colonneh Lodge 137. Donald received his BA degree from the University of Houston on December 19, 2002. As a student at U of H, Donald had an impact upon all those he met. He was an active participant in several campus ministry programs including the Baptist Student Ministries, The Methodist Wesley Foundation, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and was the Vice President of U of H Inter-fraternity Council. He was also one of the founding fathers of the Beta Nu chapter of Pi Kappa Phi (UH) chartering in November 2000 and served as the Pi Kappa Phi historian and Chaplain. He had worked the past 5 months as the Youth Director at Asbury Methodist Church in Corpus Christi. Donald only had a short time on this earth, but was one of God's bright, shining stars. Donald claimed a simple mission, "To faithfully serve Christ and show his love with everyone he encountered through relationships, discipleship, his personal actions and evangelism." It is his strong faith that assures us that he now walks with the Lord in Heaven. Donald touched a great many lives in Houston, Corpus Christi and across the state of Texas. His energy and laughter, and his constant smiles will be missed here, but we can only imagine the events he is planning for us when we join him in Heaven. Donald Ray is survived by his parents, Donald Alvin and Patricia Ann Scherer; sister, Katherine Sherer; brother, Robert Scherer; grandparents, Donald and Francis Scherer and Cesare and Dollie Mancuso; aunts, Rae Lynn Gabrieles, Sandra Worthy and husband Roger, Linda Krzywicki and husband Gary; cousins, Brandon Worthy, and Benjamin Goodheart and wife Tania; and a host of other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Pallbearers will be his brothers of Pi Kappa Phi. Open visitation will be on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 from 5:00 pm to 8 pm at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home. "A Celebration of Life" memorial service on Thursday, February 13, 2003 at 11 am will be held at Westbury UMC, 5200 Willowbend at West Bellfort. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the youth programs at both Westbury United Methodist Church and Asbury Methodist in Corpus Christi.