Obituary

Pastor John Colyer
June 25, 1950 - April 18, 2015

Pastor John Colyer

Pastor John Colyer
Jun 25, 1950 - Apr 18, 2015

Pastor John Colyer
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Pastor John Allen Colyer, 64, of Ankeny went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 18, 2015 while doing missionary work in Lusaka, Zambia.
John Allen Colyer was born on June 25, 1950 to James and June Colyer in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born again at 12 years old by trusting in Christ as his personal Savior.
John attended New Richmond High School where he excelled in math, music (piano and brass) and baseball. He continued his love of baseball throughout his life with the Cincinnati Reds being his home team. In his church youth group he began to feel God tugging at his heart to someday be in ministry. After training at Cedarville College in Ohio and Baptist Bible College in Pennsylvania, he began camp ministry at High Point Camp and music ministry in the church. He touched many lives as a youth pastor in Painesville, Ohio; Calvary Baptist, Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and Calvary Baptist Church, Lansdale, Pennsylvania.
He attended Tennessee Temple University and Calvary Baptist Seminary, achieving a Master of Divinity degree. Teaching the Word of God was a passion for John and he influenced many students at Pillsbury Bible College, Owatonna, MN and Faith Bible College, Ankeny, IA and several Christian schools. He pastored at Valley Baptist Church in Pennsburg, PA and was the Christian Education Pastor at Grace Church, Des Moines. Most recently he pastored Ankeny Free Church, Ankeny, Iowa. Missions was always on John's heart and mission trips to several countries were taken. John was a down-to-earth minister who could make the Word of God alive and applicable to daily life. He made himself available to countless young men as a mentor. His main desire was to see people come to trust in Christ as their personal savior.
He married Judie Foster on May 26, 1973 in Toledo, Ohio. They have four sons and daughters in law: Jonathan and Haverlee, Joshua and Jenise, Adam and Kayla, and Aaron and Bria. John so enjoyed his eight grandsons and one granddaughter: Caleb, Kietlyn, Bennett, Dawson, Landon, Channing, Aben, Grayson and Bo. The night before he left for Zambia, he held Bo, 2 months, (in the NICU) for the first time.
John was known for being loud, his contagious laughter, an easy man to talk to, mower rides for his grandkids around the neighborhood, and his preaching and teaching. When the garage door went up and the grandkids were home, a lot of little voices yelled "Poppy's home!" Their favorite place to be was on his lap. He was a faithful and loving husband. John and Judie enjoyed 42 years of joys and sorrows, laughing, inside jokes, and memories that are treasured by her.
He went to heaven from Lusaka, Zambia, where he had been many times. There he taught and encouraged many students and pastors at the International Bible College with Gospelink.
Also left to cherish his memory are his mother, June Marilyn Colyer, brothers Jimmy (Judy) and Joe, and sister Phyllis Glass (Gary). In heaven, John joins his dad, James Ansel, and his daughter Heather Anne as they realize what true life is.
The family will greet friends from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 1, 2015 at Ankeny Free Church (118 NW Linden St. Ankeny, IA 50023). A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm., Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Grace Church (4200 E 25th St, Des Moines, IA 50317).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Ankeny Free Church.

Joy block on Apr 30, 2015

Wow there are so many sweet memories of Pastor John, the best one to describe them all is he was a REAL true man of God.
In his memory I will give blood.

Joe Everly on Apr 29, 2015

I met John Colyer on December 21 1975 when he led me in prayer to receive Christ at High Point Baptist Chapel. I was 13 years old. That summer I spent week after week at camp and I can remember during free time waiting by the little house on campus where John and Judy lived in the hope of having a conversation with him. That summer, and John's influence, changed the trajectory of my life. He was a beautiful man who could make a joke anytime about anything but who could also shepherd in a beautiful way. He was tinged with the Love of God and it came out through his smile. I will never forget the stories from being a 'preacher boy' at Calvary in Lancaster for several summers when John was on staff. I'm not sure who got in more trouble, him or me, ok...it was me, but he was close. I love you John. Thank you very much for being who you were. I love you Judy and boys and although Lyn and I can't be at the funeral, you are in our thoughts and prayers constantly. Peace to you all.

Don Sewell on Apr 22, 2015

I held John in my arms the week he was born. I have held him in my heart ever since. I was his favorite uncle. His life would take a volume or two, his story is all about the Grace of God. From a rowdy college freshman to a giant servant of God. Only a wife like Judy could have kept pace with him. I rejoice in how God has used him to touch the lives of thousands. He is the combination of wit and wisdom. Another soldier has gone home. What a proud uncle I am to have been blessed by a giant of a nephew. God bless the family until we all join him in Glory. John 17:24

Dr. Alan Potter on Apr 22, 2015

John was a friend, a brother, and one I counted an honor to serve with. His positive and God honoring spirit, his thirst for God's truth, his love of people will never be lost with me. John could relate to any ministry but his pastors heart was the biggest of all, seen in ministry, with his family, and in his loyalty to those he worked with, one of whom was me. Thank you John for your many years of faithfulness and thank you Judy for the testimony you displayed along with your husband. John will be missed but only for a time, see you later my brother in Christ.

Doug Compton (friend) on Apr 22, 2015

John had a great heart for God and passion for life! He was a dear friend when I was at Baptist Bible College and enjoyed renewing our friendship when I had lunch with him here in Michigan a few years ago. Sue and I are praying for John's family and church and are confident in God's grace to sustain you all (Heb 4:16)

Chuck and Connie Morris on Apr 21, 2015

CandleTo the wife and children of John Colyer, we extend our deepest sympathy and love for your loss. For your church family in Ankeny who are grieving, we ask God to give them strength and extra love at this time.

Jeff Diedrich on Apr 21, 2015

John was my youth pastor, college and seminary professor, co-laborer in Christ and my friend. John brought me out of shell so that I could live with confidence and joy. He was a spiritual pillar in my life and I was never ready to say goodbye. A part of him was woven into the fabric of my soul over these 35 years. I love him and rejoice in who he was and all that he meant to so many. May God's grace abound to Judy and the entire family. Grace to you.

Robert and Maryann Gamble on Apr 21, 2015

CandlePastor John was a great pastor and a great brother in Christ. He was one of my instructors when I (Bob)enrolled in Luther Rice Bible Institute and both Maryann and I took Grace Evangelical Ministry classes taught by Pastor John. He was a great teacher, very loving person and lite up the room when he entered. I just received an email from him about 3 weeks ago answering a ministry question I had asked and he was a great help and encouragement. I loved him dearly and cannot wait to see Him again when I enter Heaven's gates and see the Lord face to face.
I loved Pastor John and my deepest sympathy and prayers are extended to Judie and family, Pastor John's church family and others whose lives were touched by our beloved pastor and mentor.

Steve Davis on Apr 21, 2015

I had the privilege of knowing John when he was serving the Lord in PA. He loved the Lord, loved his family, and loved to laugh. His joyful spirit was contagious. He knew the Lord and the joy of the Lord. He was faithful to the end of his earthly pilgrimage and encourages us through his entrance to the eternal kingdom to hear from our Savior - "Well done good and faithful servant... Enter into the joy of your Master." We will see him again. Maybe sooner. Maybe later. Yet surely! Our prayers and condolences to his family.

Jessica Myers Walbert on Apr 21, 2015

CandleHe was such a great Pastor! He will be missed by many. I can remember that he would get my twin and I to see every year at the Mother and Daughter banquet at Calvary Baptist Church in Lancaster PA. He loved to joke and carry on. He loved his passion in music and serving the Lord. He will be missed greatly.

Larry Tindall on Apr 20, 2015

CandleJohn, as much as anyone in my life, lived life to the fullest, always making me feel like I mattered and pointing to high Kingdom values. He had a way of always "connecting the dots" between knowing theology and knowing God; between embracing belief and practicing faith; between doing service and loving people. John accepted you unconditionally. He listened. He cared. He gave - time, energy, and whatever he had that you needed, often just when you needed it most. Jesus' words come to mind, when I think of how John lived his life. When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus summed it up succinctly with: "Love God... ..love people... on these two commands hang all of the law and the prophecies..." This is how John Colyer lived. And this week Jesus welcomed him home. We love and miss you, John.

Jeff and Kathy Calkin on Apr 20, 2015

Pastor John was a great leader for our church but he was an even better person and friend. Anyone who had the pleasure of spending time with him knows how easy he was to talk to. PJ never made you feel anything less than a priority no matter how trivial the topic. You will be sorely missed here but heaven is rejoicing Glory!

Chuck and Connie Morris on Apr 20, 2015

CandleWe want to extend our heartfelt sympathy for your family at this time. Being home in the arms of Jesus must be a wonderful time for him. What a joy to know the Lord.

Carol Dunbar on Apr 20, 2015

CandlePJ means so much to me. From his teachings, zeal, and love for God's word, to my baptism day.. He will truly be missed. Much love and prayers to ALL of the family.

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May
1
Friday
Ankeny Free Church
118 NW Linden Street
Ankeny, Iowa 50023
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM


Service

May
2
Saturday
Grace Church
4200 E. 25th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50317
1:00 PM


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