Town mourns Irving

Staff report
Published: August 21, 2008

The Gordonsville community mourned the loss of a long-time community servant and leader at a memorial service for Stevean Irving Sunday. 
Irving was remembered by many as a devoted husband, father, friend and dedicated community servant. Hundreds of friends and well-wishers gathered at Gordonsville Baptist Church to pay respects and remember Irving, who passed away Aug. 14 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 62.
After a 28-year long career in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Navy Reserves, which included a tour of duty in Vietnam, Irving retired in 1998 with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer III.
For 14 years, he served as council member and most recently as vice mayor on the Gordonsville Town Council.
Gordonsville Mayor Bob Coiner, at an Aug. 18 Gordonsville Town Council meeting, spoke about Irving’s contributions to the town.
“Steve’s public service was appreciated by all of us,“ Coiner said, before the council observed a moment of silence in honor of Irving. 
Irving also was a past Post Commander and was named lifetime member of Gordonsville V.F.W. Post 7368.
“He was granted the honor of the lifetime member title by his fellow post members for the outstanding work he did representing the post to the community,“ current Post Commander Ron Beaudet said.
In addition, Irving was a life member and officer of the Orange County Rescue Squad.
Rick Wilkinson knew Irving as a longtime friend, fellow rescue squad member and council member.
“Steve was a wonderful individual who was extremely dedicated to his family and his community,“ he said.
Irving is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 37 years, Shirley Marshall Irving. He leaves behind four children, seven grand-children, four sisters, and three brothers.
Close friend, fellow serviceman and brother-in-law Bill Hutchinson remembers Irving as a devoted husband and father with a gentle nature and warm heart. According to Hutchinson, Irving’s years of service to the community arose from his desire to help neighbors.
“If he could help you, he would,“ Hutchinson said. “He wasn’t one to sit around and complain about things that weren’t right. He was the type of person that if he could do something about it, he would.“