Irvin Clawitter

Irvin Gilbert Clawitter, 77, of Little Rock, departed this life on his heavenly journey, Thursday, July 28, 2016. The son of the late Irvin A. Clawitter and his wife, Ila, he was a loving son, husband, father and father-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, step-grandfather, uncle and friend. He was preceded in death by his son, David Clawitter, sisters, Winifred Morten and husband, Charles, Carolyn Stone and her son, Gary Stone, and nephew, Mark T. Griffin. He is survived by his wife, Sherry; son, Terry and his wife, Nancy; Sherry's sisters, Virginia Griffin (Tommy) and Dana McWilliams (Kevin); numerous nieces and nephews; and his loving and obedient Dachshund, "Miss Fritz."

Irvin graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1957. He was employed by Teletype Corporation (later ATT and Lucent) in September, 1958 and retired in September, 1988 after 30 years of service. He was a member of IBEW union, a tireless union officer, and for 25 years was the Wage Incentive Chairman for "his people" whom he deeply loved. He and Sherry were members of the Little Rock (Teletype) Razorback Club.

After retirement, he and his new good friend, Maynard Walton (now deceased) spent much time together reeling in those great crappie, bass and catfish from Lakes Maumelle, Conway and DeGray. He and Sherry were able to take cruises to the Bahamas and Alaska, a trip to Europe and wore out the highway to Branson, Missouri and Tunica, Mississippi with friends for a number of years. His illness in 2009 brought trips to a halt and he was cared for by his wife, Sherry, until 2015 when nursing home care was necessary. In May, 2016, Gentiva Hospice was required while he spent his final months at Colonel Glenn Healthcare and Rehab in Little Rock.

Irvin was a Station Keeper (3 years of active duty) at Memphis NAS in Tennessee, and continued in the reserves for 13 years. He was an AE3 mechanic, and flew as a flight attendant on his duty weekends, accumulating approximately 2,000 hours of flight time.

He was a faithful Life Member (68 years) of Grace Lutheran Church at Hillcrest and Kavanaugh in Little Rock, and in his retirement, spent time, along with others, making repairs that were needed when adding rooms downstairs. He also served on various committees at the church.

The family wishes to thank Baptist Health, St. Vincent Health, Good Shepherd Nursing and Rehab, and especially, Colonel Glenn Healthcare and Rehab and Gentiva Hospice, along with various doctors for the wonderful care and kindness shown to Irvin and our family through his illness.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, August 5 at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). Burial will be Saturday, August 6 at 9:00 a.m. at Roselawn Memorial Park, followed by a memorial service at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran. Robert Bemberg, Paul Krueger, Tim Loyd, Jeff Ralston, Ken Ross and Tim Sweeney will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Irvin and Sherry Clawitter Educational Fund, c/o Grace Lutheran Church, 5124 Hillcrest Ave., Little Rock, AR 72205.

Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home (501)224-2200. Irvin's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.

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Visitation

AUG 5. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)

Little Rock Funeral Home
8801 Knoedl Ct
Little Rock, AR, 72205

Burial

AUG 6. 9:00 AM (CDT)

Roselawn Memorial Park
2801 Asher Ave
Little Rock, AR

Service

AUG 6. 10:30 AM (CDT)

Grace Lutheran Church
5124 Hillcrest Ave.
Little Rock, AR, 72205