The Rev. Harland M. “Scott” Irvin, Jr. died peacefully in the company of his family Friday June 10, 2011 in Austin, TX. Scott was born February 23, 1927 in El Paso, the son of Harland M. Irvin, Sr. and Virginia Moore Irvin. He was middle sibling to older sister Eleanor and younger brother Donald, all deceased.
Scott attended Martin High School in Laredo, where he earned his Eagle Scout rank and started his life-long involvement with the game of tennis. He remained connected to the school through several reunions, which he enjoyed attending with his brother. Upon graduation in 1944, he enlisted in the US Army. Following military service, he gained his Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of the South in Sewanee, TN, where he competed on the tennis team and kindled an intense love of learning.
Scott graduated from the Episcopal Theological Seminary of Virginia as a Bachelor of Divinity, and later earned a Masters of Sacred Theology. He was ordained to the ministry in 1956, and would serve as a minister, rector and headmaster for the following 50 years. He tended to his flock, in the church and the classroom, in Cameron, Rockdale, San Antonio, Alexandria, New Orleans, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Austin, Dallas, Stafford, and Longview.
In several of those cities, he was also the men’s singles champion and was especially proud of titles he held in Washington, DC and New Orleans. He continued to compete in father-son tournaments and the senior divisions, and garnered a national team title in the Men’s 65s with friends from the Texas Section of the USTA.
He was a chaplain and coach at the Episcopal High School in Alexandria, at the Texas Military Institute in San Antonio, and a member of the original faculty at St. Stephen’s School in Austin. In retirement after 1992, he continued his ministry in supply work, conducting services in Spanish as well as English to parishes in the Austin region and serving twice a year as Chaplain in residence at the Camp Allen Diocesan Center. He also held services at the Austin Recovery Center. Scott served as a Trustee of the University of the South, as President of the Texas Tennis Association, and as a docent at the Texas History Museum in Austin. In 2010 he was chosen a “Tiger Legend” by Martin High School.
Scott is survived by his wife of 37 years, Janis Jennings Irvin. She was his dearest friend and love, and an unfailing caregiver as his health declined. An earlier marriage ended in divorce. He is also survived by his sons and stepsons; Mac Irvin (H. M. Irvin, III) of Berkeley, CA, Lennie Irvin and wife Lindsay of San Antonio, Scott Mayhew of Houston and Matt Mayhew and wife Helen of Austin. His took great joy in his grandchildren Luke, William, Samantha, Kellock, Doyle, Hunter, Lawrence, and Joe. He celebrated and cherished them dearly.
Scott kept his mind even as his body failed, and retained to the last his optimism and faith in God’s will. Early in his career, he began guiding those in need to the recovery movement and the 12-step program, which he considered “God’s healing grace made operational in people’s lives.” The British writer C.S. Lewis was an enormous influence on Scott, and the Lewis book club a favorite activity. He retained lifelong friends, particularly those he met through tennis, and became an avid user of email to remain in contact with those he loved.
We give thanks for a life well lived, for a merciful death, and we will miss him terribly.
Services will be held at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church 1500 N. Capital of Texas Highway, Austin 78746. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be given to The University of the South, Austin Recovery, or the Texas Tennis Association.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.”