Robert Ray Midkiff's Obituary
Robert Ray Midkiff was born in Charleston, West Virginia on March 17, 1956. He transitioned from this life on January 2, 2018.He accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age. In 1980 he joined the Glad Tidings Church Of God In Christ under the leadership of Bishop Jerry Macklin in Hayward, CA While under his leadership, Brother Midkiff began to grow spiritually and work in different areas of ministry such as: Evangelism, Feeding Program, and Jail Ministry.In 1955, in the California Northwest Jurisdiction, he became an ordained Elder of the Church Of God In Christ under Bishop Wilbur Wyatt Hamilton. He worked in Evangelism and willingly served in the Jurisdiction in different assignments. In 1995, Elder Midkiff’s job at Oaknoll Naval Hospital was dissolved, and transferred him to Fort Lewis, Washington where he worked as an Accounting and Payroll Technician. For the past 15 years, he has been employed with The Department of Veterans Affairs as a Budget Technician.Upon relocating to Washington State, Elder Midkiff joined the New Jerusalem Church Of God In Christ under the leadership of Bishop T.L. Westbrook and continued to serve under the leadership of Pastor Dennis McCain at the demise of Bishop Westbrook. He has served in numerous capacities at the New Jerusalem Church: Sunday School Teacher, Finance Expeditor, Minister of Protocol. Also, he worked in the Washington State Jurisdiction Adjutancy. He assisted Bishop Westbrook and Elder Edgar Gray (Jurisdictional Chief Adjutant) in various assignments such as helping in the areas of training, guidance and instructing.In National Adjutancy, he learned to serve God’s people in excellence and humility in the eyes of the people. He was given the opportunity to learn how to properly serve in the areas of the human chain, seating, and Holy Communion. He also learned the many duties of serving at the homegoing of a Jurisdictional Bishop (Bishop T.L. Westbrook). At his transition, he was serving as Jurisdictional Adjutant in the Washington State Jurisdiction under the leadership of Bishop Leo C. Brown, Jr.Elder Robert Ray Midkiff loved to preach about receiving and needing the Holy Ghost! His favorite messages were: “You got to have the Holy Ghost,” and “You Need the Holy Ghost”.Some of his favorite songs in his joyful singing voice were: “I Wish Somebody’s Soul Would Catch On Fire Burning With The Holy Ghost”, “God’s Got a Blessing For You,” and “There’s A Storm Out on the Ocean and it’s Moving This Old Way!” Let’s not forget the COGIC Anthem: “Yes Lord,” that he would sing prior to his praying for the people.Elder Midkiff spent his entire adult life giving to the work of the Church. He was a true soldier of the Cross! The Church was his family, his life, and his love!
What’s your fondest memory of Robert?
What’s a lesson you learned from Robert?
Share a story where Robert's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Robert you’ll never forget.
How did Robert make you smile?