James Irwin

GERING - The Rev. James K. Irwin, 87, of Gering, died Friday, Dec. 31, 2004, at Regional West Medical Center.

Services are 2 p.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church in Gering. Visitation is from 1-8 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, with the family present from 6-8 p.m., all at Gering Memorial Chapel.

Rev. Irwin was born Jack Howard Slater, Nov. 9, 1917, in Blackfoot, Idaho, to Gladwin and Hilda Slater. He was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Hugh C. Irwin June 7, 1920. They moved from Kimball to Alliance in 1920, where he graduated from high school in 1936. He received his bachelor of arts degree in 1941 from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. In 1945 he received his bachelor of divinity degree from Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, N.J. He married Elizabeth "Bette" Felver May 26, 1943, in Phillipsburg, N.J. They moved to Nebraska where they resided until his retirement in June of 1982. They have lived in Gering and Tempe, Ariz., since then.

He began his ministry in Ithaca in September of 1938, where he served as student pastor from 1938-41. He then served as associate pastor and youth director in Roselle Park, N.J., from 1942-43; at Columbia-Hainsburg, N.J., from 1943-45; Ceresco-Ithaca from 1945-49; Chester-Hubbell from 1949-54; Valentine from 1954-63; Lexington from 1963-70; Holdrege-Ragan-Wilcox from 1970-74; and Gering from 1974-82. He served as interim pastor at Plymouth Congregational Church and Salem Congregational Church, both in Scottsbluff. For several years he did pastoral work in the Dayspring United Methodist Church in Tempe during the winter months.

He was involved in fund-raising for West Nebraska General Hospital and Nebraska Wesleyan University. His honors include Honorary President of Oregon Trail Days, Admiral in the Nebraska Navy, Trustee at the Regional West Medical Center and Pastor Emeritus of the Nebraska Methodist. He participated in various volunteer work.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, James Irwin Jr. of Columbus, David Irwin of Sumner and Stephen Irwin of Grand Island; three daughters, Christine Irwin of Gering, Mary Irwin of Scottsbluff and Beth Kumpost of Anchorage, Alaska; one sister, Jacquline Carrell of Ft. Collins, Colo.; half-brother, Allen Slater of Lynnwood, Wash.; a half-sister; 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church in Gering.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.geringchapel.com.