In Memory

Irwin Blum

Irwin Blum

It is with heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of our classmate and friend, Irwin Blum.  Please keep his wife, Lea Ann, their sons Benjamin and Matthew, and family in your thoughts and prayers.

Irwin Harold Blum Obituary

Irwin Harold Blum passed away Saturday morning, February 4, 2017, after a two-week battle with pancreatic cancer. Mr. Blum was 65. Service: 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Barnett Sanctuary at Congregation Ahavath Sholom, 4050 S. Hulen Street. Rabbis Andrew Bloom and Leonard Oberstein and Cantor Shoshana Abrams Kaikov will officiate. Following committal prayers, Irwin will be laid to rest in Ahavath Sholom Cemetery. Shiva will be held at the home of Marvin and Laurie Blum, with minyan services beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to the Congregation Ahavath Sholom Catering Fund or Make-A-Wish North Texas, 3509 Hulen Street, Suite 200, Fort Worth, Texas, 76107, in his memory, is suggested. Born Sept. 5, 1951, in Fort Worth, Irwin was the son of Julius and Elsie Oberstein Blum. After graduating from R.L. Paschal High School, at age 17, he delayed his entry into the University of Texas at Austin in order to single-handedly run the family business for six months as his father recovered from a heart attack. He then started college in January 1970, and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in May 1973. While at UT, his main activities were being a member of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity and the Silver Spurs men's service organization. Soon after graduating from college, Irwin joined his parents in J. Blum Co, Inc., a distributor of meat packing supplies. In June 1979, Irwin married LeaAnn Spiegel in Dallas; they had a wonderful marriage for over 37 years. Together, they raised their two sons, Benjamin and Matthew. Irwin was a supremely devoted husband, father, son and brother. He was first and foremost a family man. His family always came first and he did everything in his power to lovingly provide for them. Throughout his adult life, Irwin was active in the Fort Worth Jewish community, including serving on the boards of Congregation Ahavath Sholom and the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County. He was a wish-granter for the North Texas chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation and also served meals at the Union Gospel Mission. Irwin's favorite social activity was joining with friends at Yogi's for their weekend breakfast club; the conversation was always lively. He was genuine to the core and a rock solid friend who naturally drew people to him. During the last two weeks of his life, Irwin received an outpouring of love from dozens of friends, from grade school, college, the business world, and the Fort Worth community. The adjective used most often to describe the essence of Irwin's personality is selfless -a man who quietly gave everything of himself to others and wanted nothing in return. He was preceded in death by his father. Survivors: In addition to his wife and sons, Irwin is survived by his mother; brother and his wife, Marvin and Laurie Blum; brother-in-law and his wife, Mark and Makda Spiegel; niece and her husband, Elizabeth Blum Savetsky and Ira; and nephews, Adam Blum and Matthew Spiegel.

Published in Star-Telegram on Feb. 6, 2017  -  Obituary

Looking back, we are so thankful that Irwin came to our "PantherCare" celebration last summer with Steve and Cindy Bond. (Below is a wonderful photo of Irwin -- in the Birthday Tiara!)

  



 
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02/06/17 10:50 AM #9    

Dub Ambrose

I remember Irwin's constant ear-to-ear grin. It said to me, "Hey, everything's good...you're good...I'm good...sit back, relax, and ENJOY!"

We have all been blessed because of his friendship. And may God bless his family and other loved ones in his passing.

 

Dub & Cathy


02/06/17 12:14 PM #10    

Ann Roach (Porhamer)

So saddened to hear of Irwin's passing. From the sandbox at Bluebonnet Elementary School thru Paschal High School, Irwin was a lifelong friend. Everytime I ran into Irwin, he always called me by my full name. Sending condolences to his family and others.

Ann Roach Porhamer


02/06/17 12:58 PM #11    

Anne Whittington (Harrison)

Irwin always always had a smile for me.

He was just the nicest man and I will miss him and  his sweet smile .

My heart and prayers are with his family.


02/06/17 01:15 PM #12    

Nancy Ennen (Schaefers)

I was so happy to see Irwin at our PantherCARE Party this past summer.  He was with Steve & Cindy Bond.  We have lost too many friends from our class as well as those from McLean!  Please Rest In Peace Irwin & I pray that every one who reads this will update their addresses and personal info on the website so we will be able to find you for our 50th Reunion.  RIP Irwin - we will remember you!


02/06/17 03:26 PM #13    

Gary Solomon

We don't find people as nice and accepting as Irwin Blum. I'm so very glad to have spent time with him at our last reunion lunch and catching up. Irwin and I in our senior year, would take his car or mine and head out to get something to eat. I seem to remember the Beefeater's chicken fried steak as well as Merry Go Round, many times, we'd have to bring a sandwich back to Mr. Hutchins! Late in our senior year, Irwin's dad had a bad heart attack and Irwin stayed back a year to help him in his store. He was not only a great friend, but an amazing son. He joined us the next year in Austin where we always had a great friendship. We will miss him, his smile, and his keen sense of humor.


02/06/17 04:55 PM #14    

Chris Callaway

I knew Irwin starting from Bluebonnet Elementary.  He changed very little over the decades.  He always had time to talk for a while when our paths crossed after I came back to Fort Worth.  His passing is sad since he was such an active man and volunteered a lot of time to the community.   Irwin is a great example of what friends are.  Rest in peace.

 


02/07/17 08:36 AM #15    

Carey Blackwell

In this midst of this sadness, I offer a true Irwin tale to bring a smile.  12th grade Government/Economics class taught by Thorsten Frohm --- he was a different teacher who had a night job tending bar at Ramada Inn. He made it known that his liquor of choice was Cutty Sark. Irwin's final grade was borderline C/D. So, he offered Frohm a bottle of Cutty Sark as a 'gift',  confident this would make the difference for the C. Frohm took the booze and gave Irwin a D.  He was quite disappointed. No one else I knew in school had the guts to try something like this. Rest in peace, Irwin, and comfort to your dear ones.


02/08/17 06:50 PM #16    

Bruce Baughman

I was fortunate enough to attend Irwin's funeral service in Fort Worth yesterday.  It was packed-standing room only.  This just goes to show what we already knew-Irwin was loved by many people.  I especially was thankful for the remarks made by Marvin Blum and Howard Katz.

Although my friendship with Irwin goes back 60 years, over the past few years that friendship grew as my time in Fort Worth increased. I, like everyone else, will miss him.

 


02/09/17 12:25 AM #17    

Kathy Alexander

Dear Irwin,      

It is obvious by the postings on your profile that you are deeply loved by so many.  It is a very special person who receives such blessings of affection.  Your illness took you too quickly from us.  Your pain is gone, rest peacefully now.  You will be sadly missed at the class get-togethers and reunions. Prayers are being sent to your family and loved ones.

 

 


02/13/17 09:55 AM #18    

Harold Ginsburg

Irwin was a really nice person - very thoughtful 


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