Benjamin Franklin “Ben” Irwin, 66, of Elizabethton, went walking and singing into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Friday, July 17, 2015, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville.
Ben was born in Oliver Springs, Tenn., on December 6, 1948, the son of the late Marcellus M. and Mabel Moore Irwin. The family moved to Elizabethton in 1949. He was a 1967 graduate of Elizabethton High School and also graduated from Tri-Cities Vocational School as a machinist. He was also an ASE Certified Automotive Technician. Ben and Sharon owned Ben’s Alignment Shop for 17 years until his retirement in 2003.
As a member of First Baptist Church, Elizabethton, he was an active member of the Pathfinders Sunday School Class. His love for building and restoring street rods resulted in the restoration of several beautiful cars and numerous loving, lifelong friendships.
Ben loved his family and was a devoted loving husband, father, Poppa and brother. His love for travel provided long lasting memories of trips, especially to the beach, with family and friends even through his many health issues.
Survivors include his wife and partner of 36 years, Sharon Ryan Irwin, of the home; his daughter, Christy Lynne Estep and special friend James Arrowood; his granddaughter, the light of his life, Kathryn Elizabeth Hartman and fiancé Briac Daugherty; his sister, Mabel Irwin Rogers and husband Sam of Elizabethton; his Boston Terrier, Katie Bug; special cousin, Jackie Cole and husband Barry of Knoxville; his special family members, Dorothy and Luke Hall; and other extended family members.
A Service to Honor and Celebrate the Life of Ben will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with Pastor Todd Hallman and Pastor Chris Headley officiating. Music will be provided by Jamie Schaff and Debbie Gouge. Honorary pallbearers will be J.C. Bowers, Mike Davis, Jerry Treadway, Sam Rogers, Kenneth Miller, Lawrence Hodge, Earl Hatten, Terry Buckles, Eddie Reece, Bobby Lyons, Raymond Carden, Greg “Buzz” Lewis, Gary Hughes, Dean Pilkton, Jimmy Bass, Doug Deloach, Conn Nave, Larry Gouge, Danny Ward and Bill Degroat. The family would like to extend a special “Thank You” to Dr. Oscar Grandas and his staff at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, the Physicians and Staff of Frensenius Dialysis, Elizabethton, Dr. Martin Tran, Dr. Israel Garcia and Dr. Robert Walter for the love and care shown to Ben and his family over the last seven years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Ben to the Carter County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 134, Elizabethton, TN 37644 or the Youth Program, c/o First Baptist Church of Elizabethton, 212 East F Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Friends may also visit with the family at his residence. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website www.memorialfcelizabethton.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Irwin family.