Allan Babcock

November 9, 1943 - October 28, 2018
Allan Babcock

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Allan Babcock, 74, of New Port Richey, FL, went to be with Jesus from his home Sunday, October 28, 2018 after an 11-year battle with Primary Lateral Sclerosis.  Refusing to give into the disease, Allan continued to serve as Pastor of SonRise Community Church, New Port Richey, until 2014 when his symptoms forced him into retirement.  An avid student of The Bible, his retirement years were spent writing his blog, The Old Preacher, where he shared Scripture and applications of its truth for his readers.  He was a gifted communicator both in writing and speaking.  A loving, humble, gentle man, he wanted Jesus to be seen in everything he did.

Totally homebound for the last four months, Allan’s family was regularly with him—and at his bedside as he slept in a peaceful coma for 27 hours before God took him into eternity.   Married to his high school sweetheart, Lois Struss, he died the day after their 56th Anniversary.  Besides his loving wife, Allan is survived by son Michael Babcock and wife Kathy, parents of Zackary, Matthew and Hope; daughter Missy Dunderman and husband Danny; daughter Meridith Clark and husband Chad, parents of Channing, Faith, and Nicholas; and adult grandchildren Jordan Babcock and Moriah Grube, all in the New Port Richey area.

Born in Paterson, NJ, Allan lived 45 years in NJ, interrupted with earning his B.A. Degree in Bible at Central Bible College, Springfield, MO in 1970.  Upon graduation he accepted the pastorate at Atco Assembly of God, Atco, NJ.  In 1973 Allan founded and pastored The Living Church, Montclair, NJ, for 14 years and then moved his family to Palm Harbor, FL in 1989.  Allan pastored Port Richey Community Church, renamed SonRise Community Church and relocated to 9970 Ridge Rd, New Port Richey, 1990-2014.

Allan was a devoted Bible student until his death.  He was musically talented (writing almost 100 scripture worship choruses) and loved to sing and play his guitar.  He played baseball and coached several youth teams during his life.  He endured running and biking, and enjoyed swimming.  Above everything, Allan was devoted to following Jesus and helping others learn more about his Lord and Savior.  He was passionate about The Gospel and tremendously fulfilled with 44 years of pastoring.  He loved ministering to people; he loved serving.  Second only to his commitment to Christ, was his relationship with his wife and family. He could say with C.S. Lewis, “I’ve done what I was put on earth to do.  I’m ready to go home.” He is predeceased by his parents, Hubert and Lucille Babcock, and brother Glenn.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, November 17, 1 pm at SonRise Community Church, 9970 Ridge Road, New Port Richey, Fl 34654.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan’s Purse (a Christian international relief charity), designated for Hurricane Michael relief in the Panhandle.


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  • November 03, 2018
    Jean Lanier says:
    Though I never met Allan personally, felt as though I knew him through his devoted and loving wife. Lois, and daughter Missy, both of whom I have the privilege of knowing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family and close friends they have. He will be missed by all.

  • November 04, 2018
    Kathy Zaccone says:
    Pastor Allan was a dear friend, but more, he was a man who inspired seeking after Christ as a priority. He gave me a hunger to pray and to dig into the Word. He did this not just by teaching but by his transparent life. When he led worship, he was not ashamed to let tears of gratitude flow as he sang. Through his preaching and writing on the blog you saw displayed his passion for our Lord. He has left behind a legacy of people who have been touched by his caring heart and devoted leading to the Truth. My husband and I were so grateful that the Lord led us to SonRise, it was while the church was meeting in their living room. From that first Sunday we felt we belonged. We were welcomed in as one of the family and I know many among our congregation have felt that immediate assurance too. The spark of warm acceptance that Pastor Allan inspired still remains at SonRise. All of us have much to be grateful for in the work that Pastor Allan started so many years ago. Praise the Lord for what He did through His faithful servant! It gladdens my heart to know that Pastor Allan is now singing around the Throne of the Lord he served so diligently! I am so blessed to have had him in my life!

  • November 05, 2018
    Michele Struss says:
    I was incredibly blessed to have Allan as my uncle as he was a source of life in many ways for me. What I remember most as a child is how he always made me laugh…though, that never stopped once I grew up. :) As someone with special needs and who has undergone many surgeries, Uncle Allan showed me such compassion and spoke words of truth that remain with me today. He never once came across as someone who knew it all, rather met me where I was at in my struggles and humbly encouraged me in the things of God. He and my Aunt Lois faithfully prayed for me every day. He really carried a burden for me. We shared a special bond through the years, but all the more in later years because of our mutual physical challenges and resolved faith through them. No matter how bad his health and circumstances got, he never abandoned his faith in Jesus. Despite his illness, Uncle Allan continued to live out his passion and calling to study and teach the Word of God through his blog…even up to the day before he went into a coma. I learned a lot through his teaching and the way he dug deep into the words that I read so quickly over. I also admired and gleaned from his transparent vulnerability as he wrestled many things. His passing has left a void in my heart and life. My Uncle Allan will be missed dearly by his entire sphere of influence, yet through us, his influence continues on like a ripple effect.

  • November 07, 2018
    Greg & Dina Cote’ says:
    Well done My Good and faithful Servent, I have no doubt those words would be said to Pastor Allan. He and his entire family have had a teaching and joyful time spent together. Dina & I will always be greatful for our time together. You got us in the chase. Thank you Pastor Allan we will always love & respect you. The Cote’s

  • November 07, 2018
    Adam and Holly Powers says:
    My wife and I will never forget the moment Pastor Allan looked me in the eye from the pulpit and quoted 2 Timothy 4:1-2 to me on the day I stepped into his shoes as Pastor of SonRise. There Paul says, "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His Kingdom: preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." It was a fitting call then, remains to be so today, and will continue to be until I pass the baton to whomever God will call. I still remember a few long walks we had in the early days of our time here where we got to know each other and where he told me of the many challenges a long pastorate brings. In all the ups and downs he said, "Only one thing matters Adam, chase hard after Christ, and everything else will fall into place." Amen Allan, amen! Holly and I grieve his departure, are praying for the family missing him, but rejoice that he has now joined the eternal song alongside the shining ones in Christ's presence. We are all going the same way soon, and upon hearing of our desire to honor him I know Allan would tell us to honor Christ. So may we follow his example and embrace the gospel with such a wholehearted affection. Glad and grateful for you Allan, see you soon!

  • November 07, 2018
    Sandy Latimer says:
    I never met Pastor Allen, but I am honored to know some of his family, and I am blessed by that. He greatly blessed me with his blog, and I looked forward to reading it every chance I got. I am sure he will be missed greatly by any who knew him personally, and I offer prayer up for the family who lost such a great man. Our loss is truly God's gain.

  • November 07, 2018
    Jerry Zaccone says:
    My wife and I met Pastor Allan sometime around mid 2005. Our first time attending SonRise happened to be in his home at the time. His passion and love for the Lord was immediately evident in his preaching and in the praise and worship. His zeal for the Lord, the passion in his preaching and his faithfulness has truly been a blessing and a godly example to me and to Kathy. After attending our first service, I knew this was home for us. Because of Pastor Allan’s vision and obedience, thirteen years later, SonRise continues to be “family” for us. Pastor Allan is greatly missed, but it is so comforting to know that he is now with our Lord.

  • November 09, 2018
    Mike and Beckey Davis says:
    Pastor Allan was our pastor for 10 yrs. He also married us not long after we met at Sonrise, in 2004. It was a privilege serving with him and his family on the worship team and also in leadership. Pastor Allan led well and was a humble shepard of the Lord's church. He will have a crown of glory, which fades not, waiting for him on that day. We offer our deep condolences to all the Babcocks. You were blessed to have such a sincere servant of Christ as your husband, father and patriarch. Bless you all!

  • November 10, 2018
    Edith & Elizabeth Byrne says:
    We graduated from Wayne High School, Wayne, NJ with Allan in 1961. Allan was a very quite and shy classmate. R.I.P. Allan

  • November 11, 2018
    Roger M. Rosewall says:
    I attended the Living Church in Montclair back in the 1980s. Allan combined teaching and preaching in his sermons in a way I had never seen before and I have not seen since. He moved to Florida and I moved to Virginia. We lost touch for about 25 years, but when I reached out to him he responded quickly. From then until his passing he continued to provide teaching, advice, and encouragement. He was a wonderful man and a true servant of God.

  • November 12, 2018
    amelia hoolan says:
    It is easy to say Allan was my pastor and my brother in Christ. He was much more than that. His intuitiveness allowed him to say hard things you needed to hear, to sit quietly by you when you needed silent companionship, and a ready sense of humor when a laugh would makes things right in this world. Allan was tuned in to his sheep, he watched over us, corrected us, welcomed us and loved us. Allan taught his sheep via music as well as preaching. The passion he had for singing and playing his guitar to exult the Father was something I looked forward to weekly. He wrote simple lyrics that allowed us to focus on the Father and worship as a church family. I "Jerry Lee Lewis'd" up one of his songs, he turned to me giggling, shook his head, and gave me one of his snarky outrageously funny comments. Allan loved. Rest in the arms of Christ my brother. Your path in life was an arduous one that you walked with grace. In doing so, you taught us how to walk our paths a little better. See you soon.