Kevin Irwin

Kevin Cy Irwin, 54, was born March 11, 1968 in Enid to parents, Larry and Patricia Haley Irwin, and passed away unexpectedly May 18, 2022.  He resided in Cleo Springs until his parents moved to the farm west of Aline in 1973, then moved to Aline in 1985.  Kevin was a member of the Aline Christian Church. He attended Aline-Cleo Elementary School in Cleo Springs and High School in Aline and graduated in 1986.   He was a Boy’s State Delegate and received Citizen of the Day and the honored H.V. Thornton Citizenship Award while attending Boy's State. He also obtained the State Farmer Degree in FFA the year he graduated.  Kevin attended Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee and graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree and was certified as a HVAC Contractor in 1989.

He was united in marriage to Tracy Holloway on March 29, 1991 and from this union they were blessed with a son, Joshua Cole (29) and a daughter, Jordan Paige (28).  On August 27, 2010, Kevin married the love of his life, Katie Joe Fuqua, and they were blessed with daughter, Kassie Joe (13) and son, Jacob Cole (11).

Kevin grew up in rural Aline in a farming and custom harvesting family.  He learned at an early age how to drive a pickup, tractor and combine, just peeking through the steering wheel when moving vehicles from one field to another.  The first 20 summers of his life were spent on the road with the family custom harvesting crew, where he picked up his mechanical ability to “fix” things, and his people skills while farming and traveling.  He was a people person and learned how to communicate with older people from his experience on the harvest.

After high school, Kevin moved to Okmulgee to attend OSU-Tech. He worked for a peanut farmer while attending college and would come back to Aline when he could to help with the cattle and farming.  After college he went to work for Dense Mechanical in Enid.  He loved farming and running cattle and had always hoped to do this when he returned home, but those plans changed after his dad, Larry, passed away in 1994.  In 2000 Kevin ventured into his own business, Irwin Heat and Air, where he served his local and nearby communities, family and friends.  In 2010, his son, Josh, joined him in the business for several years.

Kevin’s roots were planted in Carmen where, he became very involved in the Carmen community serving as Deputy Mayor and also serving on the town council.  Kevin served as Chief, Assistant Chief, Lieutenant and as First Responder on the Volunteer Fire Department in Carmen over his 20 plus year career.  His glass was always half full.  He never hesitated to stop and help anyone in need, and he would always take time to stop and talk.

Kevin and Katie’s life has revolved around service to others, including taking care of their town and the town’s people and serving their Fire Department and the department’s families.  Kevin took great ownership in the Annual 5th of July Fireworks celebration in Carmen. He was like a kid in a candy store lighting them up and he was so proud to help with one of the BEST shows in the state of Oklahoma.

Kevin and Katie shared over 17 years together. He, too, was the love of Katie’s life and her dancing partner forever.  They were looking forward to moving out to Grandma’s farm in the upcoming months.  Family was very important to Kevin, and he loved getting together, especially at the holidays.  He was a very proud Dad and Grandpa and very involved in the kids’ school, sports and 4-H/FFA activities.

He taught Josh every skill set that he, himself, possessed to be successful tradesman, and all the people skills he needed to serve them, and maybe, just maybe, a touch of his humor.  He was Paige’s summer league softball coach and taught her how to steal bases to offset her getting walked all the time because of her short stature.  Kevin never let her believe that short was limiting and she lives big, because of this.  She gave Kevin his most precious title of Grandpa to Noah and Eden.  Kevin became involved in showing goats and pigs with Kassie Joe and Jake and was very instrumental in teaching them the responsibility that went into having animals and the art of showmanship.  He never missed a Daddy-Daughter dance with Kassie and loved to see her face light up when they went to each one.  Jake was his Dad’s go-getter, always willing to pitch in and help where needed, especially on the farm.  He might have picked up his Dad’s accident prone nature.  Every one of his children inherited his work-ethic, and his giving and helping nature.

Survivors include wife, Katie Joe and children, Kassie Joe and Jake; son, Josh Irwin; daughter, Paige Irwin Dillard (Tony); two grandchildren, Noah and Eden Dillard; mother, Patricia Irwin; sister, Kimberly Beam; mother in-law, Jerri Joe Smith (Paul); father-in-law, John Fuqua (Paula); brothers-in law;  Buck Beam, Scott Robinson (Chelsea), Charles Woods (Erica), John Russell (Nicole); grandmother, Betty Joe Weber; aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews and numerous other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his Dad, Larry Irwin; sister, Kristie Robinson; grandparents, Virgil and Ila Irwin and Calvin and Ozella Haley; Butch and Duke, his beloved German Shepherds.

Kevin’s Funeral Service is Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Aline-Cleo High School Gymnasium in Aline with Minister Polly Young officiating.  Arrangements are under the direction of Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Helena.  Viewing will be Monday 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home in Helena.  www.lanmanmemorials.com  Facebook:  Lanman Funeral Home Inc.

Memorials may be made to Carmen Fire Department through the funeral home.