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CNN Live Event/Special

Darryl Kile Memorial Service

Aired June 26, 2002 - 13:44   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Tough pictures. First the family there. Now you are looking at Rick Horton. He's a former Cardinal, giving welcoming remarks at a memorial for All-Star pitcher Darryl Kile at Busch Stadium here in St. Louis. These are live pictures.

You may remember the St. Louis Cardinal was found dead in his hotel room after he suffered from severely blocked coronary arteries. Kile's body was discovered Saturday after he failed to show up for the team's afternoon game with the Chicago Cubs. He was 33 years old, and he leaves behind his wife and three small children. Fans, friends, fellow players have gathered for today's memorial service. We are going to listen in just for a moment.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We balance our mourning with a celebration of DK's life this afternoon, celebrating his leadership at home and on the field, the respect and the great humor that he brought to the clubhouse wherever he played, and the dedication that he brought to his work.

Now, Flynn, with the help of her great friends, which she's, I'm sure, come to appreciate over the last few days, has given a lot of indications of what she wants in this service, and her hope is that God would be glorified here this afternoon. At this time I would like to bring Mike Matheney, friend and teammate and the chapel leader for the St. Louis Cardinals, who will offer an opening prayer.

MIKE MATHENEY, TEAMMATE OF DARRYL KILE: The book of Ecclesiastes in the bible was written by King Solomon, and Solomon was noted to be the wisest man that ever lived. This is what he wrote:

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die. A time to plant, and a time to uproot. A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to tear down, and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them. A time to embrace, and a time to refrain. A time to search, and a time to give up. A time to keep, and a time to throw away. A time to tear, and a time to mend. A time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate. A time for war, and a time for peace.

Let's pray. Father God, we come to you in a time of great loss, and just as the song said, it is hard not to ask why, but we know that you are God and we are not. We pray that you give us greater understanding of you and your ways, and in our grief, Father, we're thankful. And we thank you for the life of Darryl Kile.

We're thankful for how he touched each of our lives. Some saw a baseball player. Others of us were fortunate enough to call him friend. Lord, we lift up Darryl's family at this time, and we especially pray for Flynn, Sierra, Kannon, and Ryker.

We just ask for supernatural healing, care, and that you give them strength beyond understanding. We ask that you make yourself very real right now as you draw them near to yourself. And please, God, let them see our love for them and show us how we can meet their needs. And we pray that during this season of weeping and mourning that you comfort us with our memories and the hope of seeing him again with you in eternity. In Jesus' name, amen.

PHILLIPS: Memorial for All-Star pitcher Darryl Kile at Busch Stadium, live in St. Louis today, as family and friends and fans gather to remember the pitcher that died on Saturday at age 33. He leaves behind his wife and three children.

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