Headed to Tulsa for Tisdale funeral

I admit to a little surprise at the national response to the death of Wayman Tisdale. It garnered much more attention than I would have thought.

Here in Oklahoma, Tisdale’s death at the age of 44 was a huge story and remains so. But ESPN, the leader in forging the national sports landscape, gave Tisdale’s death a big ride.

I’m sure other funerals have been staged in massive arenas, but frankly none come to mind. Heads of state. Princess Di. Mickey Mantle. None were in a building like the BOK Center, where Thursday morning no telling how many visitors will pay their respect.

I’m going to the funeral, but I wish I had been at the reflection service Wednesday night at Friendship Church, where Wayman’s father pastored and where his brother, Weldon, now pastors. I’ll bet that was a beautiful service, full of spirit and music and honor to the beloved man.

I’m hoping much of that spirit carries over Thursday to the BOK Center.