Rodney Irwin

Rodney L. Irwin, Sr. passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at Haven Hospice in Gainesville, FL at the age of 90.

Better known as Rod to his friends, he was a native of Toledo, Ohio. He served in the United States Marine Corp during the Korean War and received various medals during his service. He received a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Toledo.

In 1980, Rod moved to Palm Beach Gardens, FL where he started his own business designing computer software systems for a variety of different businesses. When he wasn’t working Rod loved to sail his boat, “Running Free” in the Atlantic Ocean.

In 2000, he retired and moved to Gainesville, FL. He served for many years as a volunteer at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park where he gave many interesting and lively talks about the origin of the alligator as well as the Timicua Indian Nation to the many visitors. He was awarded the Volunteer of The Year Award in 2011.

When Michelle Obama visited Gainesville during the Barack Obama campaign, Rod was part of her transportation caravan. At the airport, Michelle Obama asked Rod if he would like to have his picture taken with her. That picture was one of his most treasured possessions. Everyone who visited him got to see that picture, sometimes more than one time.

Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Judie Irwin; two sons; Rodney Irwin, Jr. of Sylvania, Ohio, William Irwin and his wife, Dell of Holland, Ohio; two daughters; Penny Black and her husband Christopher Black of Los Seliz, CA and Joanne Rawson of Toledo, Ohio; two step-daughters, Dana Livingston of Sylvania, Ohio and Jodi Ford and her husband. Christopher Browning. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Cressie and Aretha Irwin both natives of Weston, Ohio and his twin brother Roger Irwin of Carencro, LA.

The family would like to thank the many nurses and doctors at Haven Hospice for their very kind and tender care of Rod during his stay there.

A private family memorial will be held at a later date at Cub Lake in Hillsdale, Michigan.

Arrangements have been made through Crevasse’s Simple Cremation.

Crevasse's Simple Cremation is honored to serve the Irwin family.