Carter’s Chatter

If graduation is the goal of a scholar, then entry into glory is the ultimate experience for a Christian. Thursday, September 24, Paul James Irwin answered the angel’s call and followed into the embrace of his Savior. He was 82 years old.

Paul had many names. Those who called him son are gone, but three women and one man remain who called him brother. Two wives, also gone, called him husband. For five others, his name was Dad; their children and grandchildren called him Grandpa. Some of us called him Uncle. And every title was given him in love because he loved us so much.

In the 60’s, he moved his family to the Phoenix area, far away from his Pennsylvania relatives. His mother always grieved at the distance her first born had migrated from her. But the years were filled with visits back and forth, and the rest of his life came back to us in his letters. Reading his letters was like reading the stories of the Old Testament saints – not that his life was perfect – far from it, but neither were those Old Testament saints. But like those people, in every situation, Paul remained faithful to God, even when others were faithless to him. And like the saints of the Bible, his humanity and his faith became examples for the rest of us.

A few years ago, he shared his salvation story. Vernon Vanness, a local minister at the time, visited his home in Jackson Summit, Pa. Married, with kids already, Paul had never given his heart to Christ even though he had been raised in church. But that night he gave his life to the Lord and began another journey – a spiritual one that changed his life.

Oh, he still worked as a mechanic, but he got involved in his church – everywhere he lived. He taught primary Sunday school – not the image one expects of a man, but he enjoyed it. He served as deacon and trustee and sang in his choir, and as a soloist or with others. And when he wasn’t fixing cars and buses in the church lot, he was fixing vehicles for his family.

When heartache came to his family and things didn’t turn out the way he had planned, he didn’t turn his back on God because he knew God still loved him. And Paul loved his family just as much, both in Pennsylvania and Arizona.

Paul Irwin leaves a legacy of love and service, and as much as we will miss him, we don’t want to keep him from the heavenly rewards he deserves for his life well-lived.