Obituary For Lee Quirus and Celebration of Life service

[Larry Whitehead]

Special Prayer – Gram from the First Presbyterian Church of Redding

Serving Christ & Community since November 17, 1878

147 Years in Redding, California

 In a world filled with chaos,

we pray because prayer is the antidote to anxiety

 There simply is no greater work, no greater calling,

 no greater ministry than that of intercessory prayer.

 

 January 15 (2026-3)

Requested by – Church office

For – Lee Quirus family

Obituary For Lee Quirus

Born on September 10, 1940 to a humble family in Philadelphia, Lee Quirus was one of four siblings, including his beloved sister Mary, whom he spent hours laughing with. In the 1950s he found father figures with Roy Rogers and John Wayne, and a sense of style with Elvis Presley. Lee joined the Army for two years in 1962, and afterwards settled into a life as an AT&T telephone repair man installing lines, climbing poles, and fixing pay phones.

Lee met Nancy R waitressing at a local diner, and as she poured him a cup of coffee they shared smiles and were soon dating. Having lost his two front teeth in 1967 due to a traumatic car accident he would later quip, “It’s a good thing I had my false ones in that day!” They married in 1970 moved to California two years later, and raised three children: Susan, Tim and Jeannie. Lee hung up the phone and retired from work in 1994, thinking he had many years to come with his wife, but Nancy R would pass only a few days before her 49th birthday in 1996, ending their 26 years of marriage.

Lee sought new joy in his many charity works, and kept a copy of the serenity prayer in his wallet while seeking solace. A glimmer of happiness came in 1999 when his first grandchild, Gwendolyn was born, but it was one day in 2000 while on a South Shasta Line train trip that his life would change again. Nancy J had boarded the locomotive that would bring her an unexpected new adventure. “When she told me her name was Nancy, I couldn’t believe it!” Lee recalled.

After a courtship that included fancy square dancing, road trips, and volunteer work, the two were wed in May 2002. They built a beautiful life together in Redding, CA and shared a tenderness exemplified by how they took care of one another. With both Nancys by his side, one holding his hand in comfort; the other reaching out for the other, Lee peaceably passed away at the age of 85 in his sleep on November 24, 2025.

“Until we meet again, may the good lord take a liking to you.” — Roy Rogers

 

A Celebration of Life service for Lee will be held on Saturday, January 17th at 1PM in the sanctuary. A reception will follow in the Good Shepherd Chapel.

  

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Mathew 18: 19-20

1.  "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

 

1 Corinthians 15: 57

 "Thanks be to God. He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ"

Billy Graham once said, "God Himself is the power that makes prayer work."

"The three most important things you can do are ... pray ... pray ... pray." —Billy Graham

Grace to you and peace, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

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  ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­This ministry is sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church of Redding, Board of Deacons. It is an electronic Prayer Chain. It will be sent by e-Mail to anyone that would like to have a written record of prayer requests, concerns, and praises. This electronic prayer list is designed to enhance the distribution of information to our congregation and friends.

 If you have a prayer request, concern, or praise please send it by e-mail to fpcrpra...@gmail.com  or Larry Whitehead at ldw...@gmail.com It is not necessary to go through the church office. 

 If you are unable to send your request by e-mail, please contact your Deacon and they will assist you.