Gayle Dean Erwin

1938 - 2025

September 2, 1938 - April 15, 2025 Gayle Dean Erwin entered the presence of the Lord on April 15, 2025 in Orange County, California. He was born September 2, 1938 in Mutual, Oklahoma, eldest of three sons of Kenneth Lee and Agnes Pauline (Mayo) Erwin. A National Merit Scholar winner in its inaugural year, he instead accepted the General Motor's scholarship for his education to become a surgeon. He earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Millsaps College, but upon graduation answered God's call on his life to enter full time ministry. He married Ada Faye Brown November 28, 1957 and in time they had four children. He pastored in Louisiana and Mississippi, earning a M.S. in Guidance from the University of Southern Mississippi. He served as Youth Publications Director for the Assemblies of God denomination in Missouri, where he founded the award-winning magazine, Youth Alive. From 1974 to 1978 he served as campus pastor and professor at Southern California College, now Vanguard University, in Costa Mesa, California. During this time he began international ministry and cofounded Agora Magazine. During his years as senior pastor at Glengrove Assembly of God in La Puente, California, Gayle wrote his first book, The Jesus Style. He later authored eight more titles, two of which were a compilation of his stories. The demand for his speaking grew until in 1988 it became his full time occupation, resulting in the creation of Servant Quarters ministry to manage his media and public speaking which was heavily focused in the Calvary Chapel community. He was dearly loved for his warm teaching style and shepherding of pastors around the globe. Gayle is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Agnes Erwin, his brother, Jesse Matthew Erwin, and his wife, Ada Erwin. He is survived by his brother, Kenneth Wayne Erwin, four children, Gloria Robbins (Peter), Angela Kenny (Mark), Valerie Cottingham, Clyde Erwin, nine grandchildren, Jordan Robbins, Erika Robbins, Whitney Frenzel, Austin Robbins, Timothy Kenny, Aaron Kenny, Amy Johnson, Jessica DeStarkey, Pierce Cottingham, and twelve great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 3 at Fullerton Free church.