Paul Lawrence Irwin, son of Lewis B. and Blanche Hight Irwin, was born on December 16, 1927 in Howell County, near Dripping Springs, Missouri. He passed from this life on May 2, 2021 at home in Beloit, Kansas, age 93 years, 4 months and 16 days. His mother died of tuberculosis when he was five years old. He and his three sisters were his father's second family, and his father was 72 years old. So, Lewis, realizing he could not adequately parent four small children, asked his first family of four married adult children to each take one child to raise for him. Paul was taken by his half-sister Irene and her husband Joe Wadleigh. They had four children of their own and lived in Cheraw, Colorado. There Paul attended grade and high school, graduating in 1946. He joined the US Navy for two years, serving on the USS Fall River which was part of the occupation force in Japan after WWII.
Paul was active in the Cheraw Methodist Church in his youth and had given some thought while at summer camp in Palmer Lake, CO to becoming a minister. At a Youth for Christ rally while he was in the Navy, he gave his life to Christ and felt the call to ministry as a preacher of the Gospel. After discharge he came back to Cheraw to marry his high school sweetheart, Zola Kauffman on March 26, 1948. They moved to Denver and he enrolled at the University of Denver using the GI Bill. He was there only one quarter, judging the theology taught at DU to be too liberal for him. They moved to Hesston, KS where he attended Hesston College, a Mennonite school. Their first child, Lloyd, was born there. Paul transferred to Southwestern College to accommodate a student pastorate opening in Atlanta KS. Agnes and Naomi were born while they lived in Atlanta. Paul graduated from Southwestern College in 1952 and moved to Isabel, KS to serve the church there. By this time his GI bill ran out and though he wanted to attend Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY, finances would not allow. He started seminary at Phillips University in Enid, OK as a weekly commuter, living and preaching in Isabel. He preferred family and ministry to school so some semesters were skipped and his seminary education was slow. Their family continued to grow with the addition of Greta and Esther, and reached five healthy, active children. Isabel church had many substitute grandparents who enjoyed babysitting the five children. Zola had a big job taking care of children and home, as well as keeping church work going during the weeks of seminary, acting very much like an assistant pastor.
The family moved to Argonia, KS in 1956, providing a shorter commute to Enid. The Methodist Church encouraged Paul to finish seminary and be ordained an Elder. This was achieved in 1959 with help from family and parishioners. The members of the Argonia Methodist church, with Paul's support, completed a new church building in 1962. Then the family moved to the double charge, Bushton and Salem churches. The churches both had pleasant parsonages, but they preferred to live at Salem because it was in the country. They moved after two years to Atwood, KS to an active, gracious Methodist church and community. The children attended school there for the seven-year course of their stay. The next move was to Trinity United Methodist church in Wichita for two years. City life did not suit Paul, so he and Zola decided to take a sabbatical year and work as migrant workers, living and traveling in a pickup camper. They picked apples and oranges, and harvested wheat and cotton. It was a year of great adventure, traveling from Kansas to Washington, Oregon, California, Texas and Florida. They returned to be appointed to Ellis United Methodist Church for three years.
Paul decided to take early retirement from the ministry and bought a home in rural Hays, KS and a ServiceMaster franchise. Zola's mother Agnes Kauffman lived with them during this time. He worked the franchise for 7 years with Zola, Naomi, her husband Jaime, and trained with Lloyd who had the franchise in Colby. Paul and Zola were managers of a high-rise apartment building for retirees in Hays for a year. Paul continued his ministry as a fill-in for other pastors as needed, returning as a full-time pastor to the Utica/Arnold charge, staying four years. Next Paul was appointed to the Dighton, KS United Methodist Church, serving five years. Retirement followed and Paul and Zola traveled with a 5th wheel trailer pulled by a new 1993 Dodge truck as he and Zola became "fulltimers". They traveled from coast to coast and Canada, wintering in Florida, Arizona and California. A memorable three-week period was spent close to Washington DC, where they visited the mall via the Metro and took in many of the sights. After three years of vagabond life, Paul wanted, once again, to be part of a community, so they went to Argonia, KS where they were offered the use of the parsonage for his service as an occasional fill-in preacher and visiting minister for the Argonia United Methodist Church. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary there with their 5 children and spouses and many friends and relatives in 1998.
Zola urged a move back to Colorado, and Paul said "You have moved and helped me all these years, so it is your turn, and I will go with you wherever you want." They chose Fort Morgan, Colorado where they found a friendly church which they joined. Paul was a very accomplished gardener, raising vegetables and flowers and sharing with friends and family. Tragedy struck on December 3, 2003 when their middle child Naomi Jane Isom was killed in a car accident. Her son Cas lived with them and helped them as they grew older, eventually leaving to live on his own. They were happy there, but after 13 years were invited to live with their daughter Greta in Beloit, KS where they bought their final home. They were lovingly and devotedly cared for by Greta for 7 years, joined in the last couple of years by Cas who was strong, compassionate and available at all hours for help, as they entered their 90s. Family and friends frequently visited them adding to their enjoyment. In 2018 they held a party to celebrate their 90th birthdays and 70 years of marriage. Their last anniversary was March 26, 2021, 73 years after their wedding. Paul died in his sleep on May 2, 2021, in his home with family taking care of him to the last.
Paul was active in the Cheraw Methodist Church in his youth and had given some thought while at summer camp in Palmer Lake, CO to becoming a minister. At a Youth for Christ rally while he was in the Navy, he gave his life to Christ and felt the call to ministry as a preacher of the Gospel. After discharge he came back to Cheraw to marry his high school sweetheart, Zola Kauffman on March 26, 1948. They moved to Denver and he enrolled at the University of Denver using the GI Bill. He was there only one quarter, judging the theology taught at DU to be too liberal for him. They moved to Hesston, KS where he attended Hesston College, a Mennonite school. Their first child, Lloyd, was born there. Paul transferred to Southwestern College to accommodate a student pastorate opening in Atlanta KS. Agnes and Naomi were born while they lived in Atlanta. Paul graduated from Southwestern College in 1952 and moved to Isabel, KS to serve the church there. By this time his GI bill ran out and though he wanted to attend Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY, finances would not allow. He started seminary at Phillips University in Enid, OK as a weekly commuter, living and preaching in Isabel. He preferred family and ministry to school so some semesters were skipped and his seminary education was slow. Their family continued to grow with the addition of Greta and Esther, and reached five healthy, active children. Isabel church had many substitute grandparents who enjoyed babysitting the five children. Zola had a big job taking care of children and home, as well as keeping church work going during the weeks of seminary, acting very much like an assistant pastor.
The family moved to Argonia, KS in 1956, providing a shorter commute to Enid. The Methodist Church encouraged Paul to finish seminary and be ordained an Elder. This was achieved in 1959 with help from family and parishioners. The members of the Argonia Methodist church, with Paul's support, completed a new church building in 1962. Then the family moved to the double charge, Bushton and Salem churches. The churches both had pleasant parsonages, but they preferred to live at Salem because it was in the country. They moved after two years to Atwood, KS to an active, gracious Methodist church and community. The children attended school there for the seven-year course of their stay. The next move was to Trinity United Methodist church in Wichita for two years. City life did not suit Paul, so he and Zola decided to take a sabbatical year and work as migrant workers, living and traveling in a pickup camper. They picked apples and oranges, and harvested wheat and cotton. It was a year of great adventure, traveling from Kansas to Washington, Oregon, California, Texas and Florida. They returned to be appointed to Ellis United Methodist Church for three years.
Paul decided to take early retirement from the ministry and bought a home in rural Hays, KS and a ServiceMaster franchise. Zola's mother Agnes Kauffman lived with them during this time. He worked the franchise for 7 years with Zola, Naomi, her husband Jaime, and trained with Lloyd who had the franchise in Colby. Paul and Zola were managers of a high-rise apartment building for retirees in Hays for a year. Paul continued his ministry as a fill-in for other pastors as needed, returning as a full-time pastor to the Utica/Arnold charge, staying four years. Next Paul was appointed to the Dighton, KS United Methodist Church, serving five years. Retirement followed and Paul and Zola traveled with a 5th wheel trailer pulled by a new 1993 Dodge truck as he and Zola became "fulltimers". They traveled from coast to coast and Canada, wintering in Florida, Arizona and California. A memorable three-week period was spent close to Washington DC, where they visited the mall via the Metro and took in many of the sights. After three years of vagabond life, Paul wanted, once again, to be part of a community, so they went to Argonia, KS where they were offered the use of the parsonage for his service as an occasional fill-in preacher and visiting minister for the Argonia United Methodist Church. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary there with their 5 children and spouses and many friends and relatives in 1998.
Zola urged a move back to Colorado, and Paul said "You have moved and helped me all these years, so it is your turn, and I will go with you wherever you want." They chose Fort Morgan, Colorado where they found a friendly church which they joined. Paul was a very accomplished gardener, raising vegetables and flowers and sharing with friends and family. Tragedy struck on December 3, 2003 when their middle child Naomi Jane Isom was killed in a car accident. Her son Cas lived with them and helped them as they grew older, eventually leaving to live on his own. They were happy there, but after 13 years were invited to live with their daughter Greta in Beloit, KS where they bought their final home. They were lovingly and devotedly cared for by Greta for 7 years, joined in the last couple of years by Cas who was strong, compassionate and available at all hours for help, as they entered their 90s. Family and friends frequently visited them adding to their enjoyment. In 2018 they held a party to celebrate their 90th birthdays and 70 years of marriage. Their last anniversary was March 26, 2021, 73 years after their wedding. Paul died in his sleep on May 2, 2021, in his home with family taking care of him to the last.
Paul Lawrence Irwin, son of Lewis B. and Blanche Hight Irwin, was born on December 16, 1927 in Howell County, near Dripping Springs, Missouri. He passed from this life on May 2, 2021 at home in Beloit, Kansas, age 93 years, 4 months and 16 days. His mother died of tuberculosis when he was five years old. He and his three sisters were his father's second family, and his father was 72 years old. So, Lewis, realizing he could not adequately parent four small children, asked his first family of four married adult children to each take one child to raise for him. Paul was taken by his half-sister Irene and her husband Joe Wadleigh. They had four children of their own and lived in Cheraw, Colorado. There Paul attended grade and high school, graduating in 1946. He joined the US Navy for two years, serving on the USS Fall River which was part of the occupation force in Japan after WWII.
Paul was active in the Cheraw Methodist Church in his youth and had given some thought while at summer camp in Palmer Lake, CO to becoming a minister. At a Youth for Christ rally while he was in the Navy, he gave his life to Christ and felt the call to ministry as a preacher of the Gospel. After discharge he came back to Cheraw to marry his high school sweetheart, Zola Kauffman on March 26, 1948. They moved to Denver and he enrolled at the University of Denver using the GI Bill. He was there only one quarter, judging the theology taught at DU to be too liberal for him. They moved to Hesston, KS where he attended Hesston College, a Mennonite school. Their first child, Lloyd, was born there. Paul transferred to Southwestern College to accommodate a student pastorate opening in Atlanta KS. Agnes and Naomi were born while they lived in Atlanta. Paul graduated from Southwestern College in 1952 and moved to Isabel, KS to serve the church there. By this time his GI bill ran out and though he wanted to attend Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY, finances would not allow. He started seminary at Phillips University in Enid, OK as a weekly commuter, living and preaching in Isabel. He preferred family and ministry to school so some semesters were skipped and his seminary education was slow. Their family continued to grow with the addition of Greta and Esther, and reached five healthy, active children. Isabel church had many substitute grandparents who enjoyed babysitting the five children. Zola had a big job taking care of children and home, as well as keeping church work going during the weeks of seminary, acting very much like an assistant pastor.
The family moved to Argonia, KS in 1956, providing a shorter commute to Enid. The Methodist Church encouraged Paul to finish seminary and be ordained an Elder. This was achieved in 1959 with help from family and parishioners. The members of the Argonia Methodist church, with Paul's support, completed a new church building in 1962. Then the family moved to the double charge, Bushton and Salem churches. The churches both had pleasant parsonages, but they preferred to live at Salem because it was in the country. They moved after two years to Atwood, KS to an active, gracious Methodist church and community. The children attended school there for the seven-year course of their stay. The next move was to Trinity United Methodist church in Wichita for two years. City life did not suit Paul, so he and Zola decided to take a sabbatical year and work as migrant workers, living and traveling in a pickup camper. They picked apples and oranges, and harvested wheat and cotton. It was a year of great adventure, traveling from Kansas to Washington, Oregon, California, Texas and Florida. They returned to be appointed to Ellis United Methodist Church for three years.
Paul decided to take early retirement from the ministry and bought a home in rural Hays, KS and a ServiceMaster franchise. Zola's mother Agnes Kauffman lived with them during this time. He worked the franchise for 7 years with Zola, Naomi, her husband Jaime, and trained with Lloyd who had the franchise in Colby. Paul and Zola were managers of a high-rise apartment building for retirees in Hays for a year. Paul continued his ministry as a fill-in for other pastors as needed, returning as a full-time pastor to the Utica/Arnold charge, staying four years. Next Paul was appointed to the Dighton, KS United Methodist Church, serving five years. Retirement followed and Paul and Zola traveled with a 5th wheel trailer pulled by a new 1993 Dodge truck as he and Zola became "fulltimers". They traveled from coast to coast and Canada, wintering in Florida, Arizona and California. A memorable three-week period was spent close to Washington DC, where they visited the mall via the Metro and took in many of the sights. After three years of vagabond life, Paul wanted, once again, to be part of a community, so they went to Argonia, KS where they were offered the use of the parsonage for his service as an occasional fill-in preacher and visiting minister for the Argonia United Methodist Church. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary there with their 5 children and spouses and many friends and relatives in 1998.
Zola urged a move back to Colorado, and Paul said "You have moved and helped me all these years, so it is your turn, and I will go with you wherever you want." They chose Fort Morgan, Colorado where they found a friendly church which they joined. Paul was a very accomplished gardener, raising vegetables and flowers and sharing with friends and family. Tragedy struck on December 3, 2003 when their middle child Naomi Jane Isom was killed in a car accident. Her son Cas lived with them and helped them as they grew older, eventually leaving to live on his own. They were happy there, but after 13 years were invited to live with their daughter Greta in Beloit, KS where they bought their final home. They were lovingly and devotedly cared for by Greta for 7 years, joined in the last couple of years by Cas who was strong, compassionate and available at all hours for help, as they entered their 90s. Family and friends frequently visited them adding to their enjoyment. In 2018 they held a party to celebrate their 90th birthdays and 70 years of marriage. Their last anniversary was March 26, 2021, 73 years after their wedding. Paul died in his sleep on May 2, 2021, in his home with family taking care of him to the last.
Paul was active in the Cheraw Methodist Church in his youth and had given some thought while at summer camp in Palmer Lake, CO to becoming a minister. At a Youth for Christ rally while he was in the Navy, he gave his life to Christ and felt the call to ministry as a preacher of the Gospel. After discharge he came back to Cheraw to marry his high school sweetheart, Zola Kauffman on March 26, 1948. They moved to Denver and he enrolled at the University of Denver using the GI Bill. He was there only one quarter, judging the theology taught at DU to be too liberal for him. They moved to Hesston, KS where he attended Hesston College, a Mennonite school. Their first child, Lloyd, was born there. Paul transferred to Southwestern College to accommodate a student pastorate opening in Atlanta KS. Agnes and Naomi were born while they lived in Atlanta. Paul graduated from Southwestern College in 1952 and moved to Isabel, KS to serve the church there. By this time his GI bill ran out and though he wanted to attend Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY, finances would not allow. He started seminary at Phillips University in Enid, OK as a weekly commuter, living and preaching in Isabel. He preferred family and ministry to school so some semesters were skipped and his seminary education was slow. Their family continued to grow with the addition of Greta and Esther, and reached five healthy, active children. Isabel church had many substitute grandparents who enjoyed babysitting the five children. Zola had a big job taking care of children and home, as well as keeping church work going during the weeks of seminary, acting very much like an assistant pastor.
The family moved to Argonia, KS in 1956, providing a shorter commute to Enid. The Methodist Church encouraged Paul to finish seminary and be ordained an Elder. This was achieved in 1959 with help from family and parishioners. The members of the Argonia Methodist church, with Paul's support, completed a new church building in 1962. Then the family moved to the double charge, Bushton and Salem churches. The churches both had pleasant parsonages, but they preferred to live at Salem because it was in the country. They moved after two years to Atwood, KS to an active, gracious Methodist church and community. The children attended school there for the seven-year course of their stay. The next move was to Trinity United Methodist church in Wichita for two years. City life did not suit Paul, so he and Zola decided to take a sabbatical year and work as migrant workers, living and traveling in a pickup camper. They picked apples and oranges, and harvested wheat and cotton. It was a year of great adventure, traveling from Kansas to Washington, Oregon, California, Texas and Florida. They returned to be appointed to Ellis United Methodist Church for three years.
Paul decided to take early retirement from the ministry and bought a home in rural Hays, KS and a ServiceMaster franchise. Zola's mother Agnes Kauffman lived with them during this time. He worked the franchise for 7 years with Zola, Naomi, her husband Jaime, and trained with Lloyd who had the franchise in Colby. Paul and Zola were managers of a high-rise apartment building for retirees in Hays for a year. Paul continued his ministry as a fill-in for other pastors as needed, returning as a full-time pastor to the Utica/Arnold charge, staying four years. Next Paul was appointed to the Dighton, KS United Methodist Church, serving five years. Retirement followed and Paul and Zola traveled with a 5th wheel trailer pulled by a new 1993 Dodge truck as he and Zola became "fulltimers". They traveled from coast to coast and Canada, wintering in Florida, Arizona and California. A memorable three-week period was spent close to Washington DC, where they visited the mall via the Metro and took in many of the sights. After three years of vagabond life, Paul wanted, once again, to be part of a community, so they went to Argonia, KS where they were offered the use of the parsonage for his service as an occasional fill-in preacher and visiting minister for the Argonia United Methodist Church. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary there with their 5 children and spouses and many friends and relatives in 1998.
Zola urged a move back to Colorado, and Paul said "You have moved and helped me all these years, so it is your turn, and I will go with you wherever you want." They chose Fort Morgan, Colorado where they found a friendly church which they joined. Paul was a very accomplished gardener, raising vegetables and flowers and sharing with friends and family. Tragedy struck on December 3, 2003 when their middle child Naomi Jane Isom was killed in a car accident. Her son Cas lived with them and helped them as they grew older, eventually leaving to live on his own. They were happy there, but after 13 years were invited to live with their daughter Greta in Beloit, KS where they bought their final home. They were lovingly and devotedly cared for by Greta for 7 years, joined in the last couple of years by Cas who was strong, compassionate and available at all hours for help, as they entered their 90s. Family and friends frequently visited them adding to their enjoyment. In 2018 they held a party to celebrate their 90th birthdays and 70 years of marriage. Their last anniversary was March 26, 2021, 73 years after their wedding. Paul died in his sleep on May 2, 2021, in his home with family taking care of him to the last.
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