A memorial service is set for Sunday, Feb. 8 for Vance Shazier, a beloved member of the Metropolitan Community Church in San Diego, who was allegedly murdered by a man he’d been helping.

The service for Shazier, 67, is set for 12:30 p.m. at The San Diego LGBT Community Center following the MCC Sunday services, and will be a celebration of his life. Shazier had his own personal prison ministry apart from MCC and visited many people in jails. He also mailed sermons to people who requested them.

Shazier was beaten to death on Jan. 14 in his room at a residential hotel in Downtown San Diego. He was found dead at 6:55 p.m., after a hotel manager heard a commotion in his room and called San Diego Police.

Shazier had been helping Thomas Lee Daniel, 37, who was arrested at the scene and charged with murder. Daniel has pleaded not guilty in San Diego Superior Court. On Jan. 27, Judge Michael Smyth set a preliminary hearing for March 19 to see if there is enough evidence to warrant a murder trial.

Daniel has three previous misdemeanor cases, according to court records. He remains in the George Bailey Detention Facility on $1 million bail.

Deputy District Attorney Jessica Schuster said Daniel had been homeless recently. “Vance had been kind enough to let him stay with him,” said Schuster. The Seventh Avenue hotel is designed for single occupancy use, and the manager had told Shazier that Daniel could not stay any longer, she said.

Police said Shazier told Daniel he would have to move, and an altercation resalted. He was beaten and suffered head trauma. Daniel had lived with Shazier approximately one amonth, police said.

Rev. Dan Koeshall, the senior pastor of MCC San Diego, informed church members of Shazier’s death via e-mail. He told the congregation Shazier had been killed and someone had been charged with his murder.

“Vance was a gentle man with a caring heart for others. We were blessed knowing him,” said Koeshall. “His loving nature and soft-spoken kindness will be missed.”

MCC members were shocked and surprised to learn of his murder.

Lyn Malone, the MCC minister of Congregational Connection, said Shazier is now in heaven and is not suffering any pain.

Shazier usually sat near the front of the sanctuary, neatly dressed in a suit, recalled Lee Bowman, the minister of administration and communications. He carried with him a small portable folding chair for waiting at bus stops or other places, said Bowman.

“For his age, he got around pretty well, I think in part through determination,” said Bowman. “Vance lives on in our memories and prayers.”

“Vance had a huge heart for ministry, with a special outreach to those incarcerated, and was years ago instrumental in the founding of the MCC in Sacramento,” said Koeshall.

Daniel did not attend MCC, said Bowman, adding that no one had heard of him until after Shazier’s death.

Listed in the MCC bulletin’s prayer requests on Feb. 1 was “solace to those who mourn Vance.” Another person named Michael expressed thankfulness “that God allowed me to worship with Vance.”

At a Thanksgiving dinner at MCC, Shazier won first prize in a contest to see who could most resemble a turkey. Diners dressed up people with aluminum foil and other accessories to resemble turkeys. Shazier showed he was a good sport in the voluntary contest.

Shazier was a member of Seniors Active in a Gay Environment (SAGE) and had a sister in Arizona.