Obituary of Buck Irwin

Buck H. Irwin Sr. 78, of Millerton, Oklahoma, passed away, Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at his home. A ”Life Celebration” Service will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, January 28, at The Church, located just east of Millerton, Oklahoma at the intersection of Highway 70 and Wheelock Road. Pastors Tim Stuart and John Crow will be officiating. Buck was born April 11, 1938 to Ethel and Walter Irwin. Buck was raised in Brewton, Alabama along with his 8 brothers and sisters. After graduating high school, Buck soon enlisted in the US Army, where he served as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne, from 1956-1958. After proudly serving his country, Buck began his 36-year career in the paper industry. He later met Mary King, who would soon become the love of his life. They married on April 22, 1966 and had 3 children, Buck Jr., Melissa, and Walt. In 1971, Buck relocated the family to Idabel, Oklahoma as a part of the startup team of the Weyerhaeuser Paper Mill in Valliant, Oklahoma. Buck worked for Weyerhaeuser for 23 years, retiring as the Pulp Mill Superintendent, respected and appreciated by all those who worked alongside him through those years. Buck was also a man with a servant’s heart, who believed in doing his civic duty and he worked tirelessly for his community of Millerton, serving first on the city council and then as mayor for over 30 years. He was instrumental in the formation of the Millerton Volunteer Fire Department and in the acquisition and construction of the Millerton sewer system, and he worked for decades to ensure that these services were continuously improved and functioning well for the citizens of Millerton. It was sometimes a thankless job, but he didn’t do it for the thanks, he did it because he truly believed in making his community better for his fellow citizens. Buck also served as a Shriner and a 32nd degree Mason for 50 years. Buck’s greatest pride and joy was his family. He enjoyed watching his kids and grandchildren play sports through the years and loved to joke around with all of them, making sure to always keep things entertaining around the Irwin house. Mary, his wife, and lifelong partner, stood by him in good times, as well as the difficult times, and she stood beside him with great pride. Soon there were daughters and son in-laws, grandchildren, and the granddogs! Things would never be the same. You could always count on a full house, loud noises, laughter, and lots of good food. These were the occasions that Buck cherished the most. Along with all of their family, Buck and Mary celebrated 50 years of marriage on April 22, 2016. Buck was a member of “The Meeting Place” Christian Church. Buck was a man of quiet, but strong faith. He lived out his faith by his service to God and others. He was a spirited and convicted man that enjoyed life and did what was right. Buck had many hobbies that included tinkering in his shop with his many tools, going to auctions to buy more tools and gadgets, driving around Millerton, and checking on his many projects, and helping people when and wherever he could. He loved to watch John Wayne movies, football games (especially Alabama), golf and the Weather Channel. In addition to being honest, hardworking and loyal, Buck Irwin was a very good and decent man who would do anything for anyone anytime. Buck was preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary Irwin; son, Buck Irwin, Jr. and his wife Stacy of Oklahoma City; daughter, Melissa Coyier and husband Shawn of Albuquerque, New Mexico; son, Walt Irwin and wife, Andrea of Paris, Texas; eight grandchildren, Jess Parsons and wife Ashley; Amanda Calabria and husband, Patrick; Bronson Irwin; Nicholas Irwin; Brooke Irwin; McKenzie Capps; Kyler Capps; and Hope Irwin, and 3 great grandchildren; Jaxie and Randon Barrick; and Ryan Calabria, as well as, numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Shriner’s Hospital or the American Heart Association.