When A Good Man Dies

What would be the best word to describe my former dentist, Dr. Gil Sale, who died last week? Not only was he our family’s dentist – since 1976 until his retirement not quite two years ago – but he was a friend. Even though he grew up Methodist and remained a Methodist, he and his wife Margaret often attended First Christian Church when I was the preacher and after I left when Billy Rowe was the preacher. They were generous to First Christian and Dr. Sale often did things that enabled Billy and me to help out families in great need – especially at Christmas. 

Though the word southern gets batted around in a pejorative fashion a lot these days, those who think “backwards, simpleton, and “not with it” when they hear “southern” evidently never met Gil Sale. It is in that way that when I think about his life, I think southern is one of the right words. Kind and courteous, Gil Sale was a gentleman to the core. You never sat in his dental chairs without first answering questions about yourself, your family, and common friends. That curiosity was rooted in authentic concern for others. So, yes, Gil Sale was certainly a southern gentleman.

But to say the name Dr. Gil Sale and not say the word generous would be to completely ignore reality. I know personally of his generosity to me and my family – and to some of my best friends in ministry. I know about students from Atlanta Christian College/Point University for whom he generously provided dental care. I know about families whose children had Christmas gifts because of Gil Sale’s generosity. My guess is that we would find the number of people blessed in this life by his generosity stunning in its size.

I’m not sure how anyone else reading this feels about going to the dentist, but for me, I can think of a dozen other things I’d prefer to do. That’s why, when I think of Gil Sale as a dentist, among the first words that come to mind in calming. He just had a way of making you feel comfortable enough to be calm – no matter what procedure he was performing. You knew he would keep checking – “Still okay?” And you knew he would do everything possible to [a] not hurt you and [b] fix whatever the problem was. Dentist and calming may not be partner words in many contexts – but they were in Gil Sale’s office.

For me, it is hard to think Gil Sale without saying “Gil and Margaret.” Most often when I went to an appointment with Dr. Sale, my first encounter was with Margaret, a dental hygienist. I have no idea how many times she cleaned my teeth and often complimented me on my flossing! Together they created an atmosphere in that office that was comforting from the time you walked in the door until you left.

One more word – ultimately the most important one – when I think of Gil Sale I think Christian. Dr. Sale wasn’t one of those pompous, self-righteous people who like to beat you over the head with their Bible. He didn’t try to model some sort of fake spirituality that you could see through from a mile away. But he did model – in so many ways – what a life looks like when the Jesus Story has transformed it. When I think about some of the people I know that were patients of Dr. Sale, I think of one in particular who may have been the most contrary, difficult person I’ve ever known. He was that way at church, at work, among “friends.” Contrary is actually a polite word. I can only assume his core character came out when he was sitting in Dr. Sale’s chair. But it wasn’t unusual for Dr. Sale to ask, “How’s . . .?” and express great concern as serious illness began to impact our mutual “friend’s” life. To me, that speaks to the way Dr. Sale discovered what it means to say “I follow Jesus.” 

I once told Dr. Sale that I was pretty sure there would be no cavities in heaven – and God has a plan to make teeth more lasting in eternity. He laughed and said something like “Good, that means I won’t have to work when I get there.” For a guy who worked as a dentist well beyond when most of his profession retires, I’m not sure what Gil Sale plans to do in heaven. But I’m pretty sure if, when I get to the proverbial “pearly gates,” that I stop and listen, I’ll likely hear a deep, rich baritone voice laughing in the joy of whatever it is he’s doing up there!

Blessings to Margaret and her family. Thank God for the Dr. Sale kind of people with whom we cross paths in this life. I will – along with countless others – miss that great voice and even great person.