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by Sarah Bentley –
Envoy Earl Compton of Eureka, Calif., recently retired after giving 50 years of service to God and The Salvation Army as a local officer. He was honored for his faithfulness and service during a recent celebration at the Eureka Corps.
With the corps officer, Captain Ron Gilden, and his wife Sally by his side, Divisional Commander Lt. Colonel Charles Strickland presented Compton with a pin, a well-deserved certificate and a letter from Commissioner David Edwards, to honor his 50 years as a local officer. Strickland stated,” I am grateful to God for Earl Compton’s faithfulness to the Lord and The Salvation Army during the past 50 years, in dedicated and productive service. I encourage all soldiers and officers to ‘go and do likewise.’ ”
Earl Compton had his first contact with The Salvation Army more than 60 years ago when his family received a Christmas basket from a local corps in Pennsylvania. From that point on, he attended the Army and committed to local officership at age 21. Without so much as a look back, Earl Compton became a corps sergeant major that took him on a journey of service from Monessen, Penn., to Pittsburgh, Penn., and finally to Eureka, Calif. In Eureka, he managed the Silvercrest as an envoy as well as his responsibilities as the CSM.
Many tributes were given; he was recognized as an individual who gave and gave of his time and gifts. His faithfulness, commitment and example have shined throughout his 50 years of service. During that period, the spectrum and diversity of his service included overseeing corps, directing summer camps, men’s programs, and a prison ministry. He was a great “open air” enthusiast. This love for sharing the good news took him for a number of years to Glen Eyrie, where he taught many others to understand the principles of this ministry.
During his retirement, he plans to continue in ministry at the Eureka corps with his wife Sally. Probably most significantly, Earl Compton plans to continue to stand kettles this Christmas season and beyond.
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