Earmon James Irons Jr.

Earmon J. Irons, Jr. was a graduate of Roosevelt High School Class of 1956. He earned an associate degree in Applied Electrical Technology in 1960 & a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Management in 1967 from Purdue University. He served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1964, spending most of his service time stationed in Istanbul, Turkey as a nuclear weapons specialist, and later earned a master's degree in finance and international economics from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. His professional career included Inland Steel International, where after nearly 25 years, he became the first Black officer with the title of Vice President of Business Development. Mr. Irons has earned the respect of his community for a variety of service contributions he has made while holding positions of responsibility. Although Earmon “retired” from Inland Steel in 1996, he continued to contribute his time, wisdom, experience and service to his church, his community and his family.
During his “retirement”, He started his own steel processing company, EMDE/Irons Metal Processing LLC for which he was the President & CEO. He also served on the Board at Roseland Community Hospital in different capacities between 2000-2011.
He has served as the Sunday School superintendent at Christ Temple Church of Christ (Holiness) USA, Gary, Indiana where he was a lifelong member. He began a bus ministry along with his mother, Deaconess Sybrathia Irons, which allowed the church to grow to new heights. He began a Boys Club in our church, was the Chairman of the Christian Board of Education, Secretary of the Deacon’s Ministry, Chairman of the Deacon’s Ministry and Sunday School Teacher. He was a member of many choirs from his youth: the Youth Choir, Male Chorus, Senior Choir, Voices of Christ Temple and has been the featured soloist in many of these choirs. He was the current chairman of the Deacon’s Ministry. He has been a Tuesday Prayer, Praise and Bible study teacher. He was one of the preachers for the revival service where all Deacons were the evangelists. Deacon Irons was the facilitator in many of the Christ Temple initiatives; his latest one was the Farmers Market Evangelism campaign 2025, where there were three successful days of farmers with fresh fruit, vegetables and other goods for the Northwest Indiana area.
He has served as an officer of the National Deacons Relief, Chairman of the National Budget Committee and the Financial Manager for more than 30 years.
The National Ministry Fund currently being used by the denomination was one of his leadership changes recommended to the denomination which was approved by the National Convention. The church eliminated the National General Fund in 2006 and replaced it with this tithe-based model.
He was a major contributor of information for the recent National Financial Control Manual, adopted by the National Convention. He has made many presentations in religious, educational and business entities regarding varied subjects on finance, business and religious subject matters.
He was a faithful facilitator of the Tuesday night Prayer, Praise and Bible Study time and was a great bible teacher. He has also given many devotional teachings on our Thursday morning prayer time.
He has received many awards in his lifetime, including the Drum Major Award in 2018 which is given annually by the Gary Frontiers Club to an individual who was dedicated to improving the human conditions of others in the city of Gary, IN. He has also received The Bishop Charles Price Jones Humanitarian award, the highest award granted by Christ Temple Church, Gary as well as many other District, Diocese and National Awards.
His mother, Deaconess Sybrathia Irons, would testify on many occasions, “Get Jesus and get an education”. She instilled that in her children and to all who would listen. He got Jesus and recently learned the lead to the song by the Canton Spirituals, “Glad I got Jesus”. He was to lead that song along with the choir the Sunday following his hospitalization that Saturday. We heard him lead it in choir rehearsal.
Earmon passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 13, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents Sycbrathia and Earmon Irons Sr., and three of his siblings, Ella Mae Berry, Lethenius Irons and Gerald Irons Sr.
Deacon Irons leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 61 years Deaconess Mable Lee Irons, two children, Dr. Dalila K. Irons Holland (Dr. Floyd Holland, Jr.) of Orland Park, IL and Earmon J. Irons, III of Gary, IN, two sisters Syrathia Thaxton (Milton Sr.) of Pittsburgh, PA, and Evie Irons of Crown Point, IN, sisters-in-law Myrna Irons of Spring, TX, sister-in-law, Shirley Blakemore of Gary, IN, one aunt, Dorythal Curtis of Gary, IN, two loving grandchildren, Floyd Holland, III, and Fallyn Holland as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, God children, church family and friends who will remember his example and legacy as a strong Christian believer in Christ.
Visitation, Sunday, December 21, 2025, from 12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m. with family hours from 6:00p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the Guy & Allen Chapel 2959 West 11th Avenue. Funeral Service Monday, December 22, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Christ Temple Church of Christ Holiness USA 4201 Washington Street Gary, Indiana 46408. Bishop Dale Cudjoe officiating. Entombment Evergreen Memorial Park .