C. Ray Irwin

C. Ray Irwin, 76, of Chillicothe, passed to his Heavenly home on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at his residence.  He was born July 7, 1938 in Gallipolis, Ohio, the son of the late Clarence L. and Evelyn D. Irwin.  On March 29, 1959 he married Ruth Thomas, who survives, along with their son, Ryle (Jolene) Irwin, Vienna, Virginia.

Also surviving are three grandchildren, Lindsey, Jordan and William Irwin; two sisters, Hope (Dave) Diggle, Athens, Ohio and Yolanda (Jack) Elston, South Bend, Indiana; his mother-in-law, Esther Thomas, Rio Grande, Ohio; sister-in-law, Joyce (Larry) Shong and brother-in-law, James (Allyson) Thomas, all of Rio Grande, Ohio and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Robin Irwin and a sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis K. and Glen Hiles.

Mr. Irwin was a graduate of Gallia Academy High School and served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1958 to 1961 and was an instructor at the Army Engineer School at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia.  Following his military service, he was employed by Mead Central Research Laboratories from 1962 to 1971.

In 1971 he served as one of the founding members of Shawnee State University.  He was employed by SSU and its five predecessor institutions for twenty seven years, retiring in 1998.  He was granted three degrees from Ohio University:  Associate of Arts (1969), Batchelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (1971) and Master of Higher Education (1986).

Until failing health, he was an active member of Tabernacle Baptist Church since 1961, serving as a Deacon, sound engineer, assistant financial officer and church historian.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, August 29, 2014 in the FAWCETT OLIVER GLASS AND PALMER FUNERAL HOME with Pastors Steven Schmidt and Andrew Shearer officiating.  Burial with military honors by the Ross County Veterans Honor Guard will follow in Grandview Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tabernacle Baptist Church Family Life center or a charity of choice.

His memorial register is available at www.fawcett-palmer.com.

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