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First Baptist pastor passes away suddenly
A local pastor suddenly left his congregation without a leader as he passed away suddenly Wednesday night at Mercy Health Center.
Rev. Tim Davish, pastor at First Baptist Church in Fort Scott, passed away shortly after leading a Bible study class Wednesday evening. Davish's friend John Tiegreen was in the class when Davish said he was suffering from heartburn.
Tiegreen said Davish sat down and delivered the closing prayer before Davish's wife took him to the hospital, with Tiegreen and his wife following.
"I helped him get in (the hospital), and within 30 or 45 minutes, he was gone," Tiegreen said.
According to Tiegreen, the doctors believed Davish suffered from a small aneurysm before having a larger heart attack after arriving at the hospital. The passing of the 53-year-old pastor came as quite a shock as he had not shown any signs of illness.
"He had not been sick; it was a very sudden aneurysm," Tiegreen said. "He hadn't been ill; there hadn't been anything leading up to it."
Davish will be remembered as a caring pastor who believed his work would help the community grow closer to God.
"He would constantly tell the congregation that he loved them, that he was there to help them ... and he did," Tiegreen said.
Tiegreen said Davish's best asset was his ability to offer counseling to individuals. Having recently received a doctoral degree in counseling, Davish used his knowledge to help not only church members, but the community as a whole.
"I think that he would say his true mission was to bring everybody to the knowledge of Christ," Tiegreen said.
Davish's death comes just days before the congregation was to celebrate his fourth year with the church. Davish began his pastoral duties in Fort Scott on July 4, 2007, replacing Rev. Duane McCracken who had left nearly a year prior.
"(Davish) commented that he thought that was pretty nice of Fort Scott to have a fireworks display as he came into town," Tiegreen said. "And apparently we're having one as he leaves Fort Scott ... He'll have a better view from on high than he did driving in on Highway 54."
Davish was ordained in October 2005 after teaching high school social studies for 15 years.
While teaching, he served as a youth minister for his local parish and earned a master's degree in divinity.
"He was a very special man ... His recognition for his outreach will not only be recognized here but for a long time all around," Tiegreen said.
Details on services for Davish have not been set. See Saturday's Herald-Tribune for more information.