Jeffrey Arliss Fuson

Jeffrey Arliss Fuson (Jeff), 56, of Oldham County, Kentucky, passed away on August 1, 2020.

Jeff was born on February 27, 1964 in Paducah, Kentucky to Arliss Fuson and JoAnn Mitchell Fuson. He grew up in Corbin, KY with his sister, Kelda Fuson Taylor. Corbin is where he discovered his terrible aptitude for basketball, his mediocre gift for baseball, his talent for football (championed by his uncle, Coach David), his undeniable love for nature, adventure, people, and most of all, Jesus.

In the summer of 1985, he would meet his wife, passionate ministry partner, and best friend, Julie Kent Fuson. After he graduated from the University of Kentucky with his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Jeff and Julie moved to Crestwood, Kentucky. Crestwood is where they raised their kids Evelyn (30), Josh (23), and Kaleb (17), and poured out their lives in service to the community.

Jeff came to Crestwood to teach Biology at Oldham County High School. He taught there for three years, but his love for Jesus was drawing him out to teach in a different classroom; life. He faithfully served (and played) as Youth Pastor at Crestwood Baptist Church for 18 years before he and his wife launched Phos Community Church in 2008 where he would serve as the Lead Pastor for the next 12 years.

Jeff’s life on this earth was marked by his incredible pursuit of people and their potential. He had a knack for drawing people into the truth of who they were and why they were here on this earth. He recognized their incredible gifts and championed them to activate their dreams. Jeff never met a stranger and brought so much life and light to every place he went. He always wanted to add more seats, build more bridges, and create more space for people to feel known and loved. As a dear friend said this week, “He was the closest thing on earth to Jesus . . . he was always leaving the 99 to go after the 1.”

One of his favorite quotes in life was: “It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” Right now it feels awfully dark, but he would tell us to continue to shine, to love God, to love people and to expand the neighborhood.  

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Phos Community Church.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE INFORMATION

We will be adhering to all CDC guidelines during each part of this process. We ask that you wear a mask and maintain social distance guidelines at all times.

VISITATION

Visitation will be held from 3 - 7 PM on Wednesday August 5, 2020 at Phos Community Church.

DRIVE-BY VISITATION

We understand that this is a fragile time and want to allow as many people who want to support the family during this time to be able to do so. For this reason, the family will be outside the Phos Community Church building from 7 - 8 PM (Wednesday August 5, 2020) where you can drive by and see them.  

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Phos Community Church on Thursday August 6, 2020 at 10 AM. Due to the current regulations and guidelines, attendance will be limited to family and close friends. There is no one who is more grieved by this than the family. Jeff ALWAYS wanted to include anyone and everyone he met, and they are sad that they cannot have everyone there in person. However, the service will be Live Streamed through the Phos Community Church Facebook page.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE PROCESSIONAL

Directly following the Celebration of Life Service, feel free to join the family in the processional to the graveside. We invite everyone to begin lining up their cars at Phos Community Church at 11:15 AM. 

PALLBEARERS  

Preceding the Casket: Josh Fuson and Kaleb Fuson

Madison Johnson, Andrew Kent, Nathan Kent, Stephen Kent, Jorge Cuentas, and Kenneth Leslie

Honorary: Thomas Leslie, Ron Shields, Mark Galloway, and Jeff Monnin

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Phos Community Church.

Arrangements are by Stoess Funeral Home.