H. Grant Irwin, Sr. passed peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of September 30, 2026, in Norman, Oklahoma, on his 90th birthday. Those who knew him well couldn’t help but smile at the remarkable timing. Of course Grant would pass on his 90th birthday. For a man who spent his life telling everyone what a great life he’d had, there was something particularly fitting about it.

Grant was born September 30, 1936, in Chandler, Oklahoma, to Ernest L. “Cotton” and Bertie E. (Neer) Irwin and grew up in Meeker. He never stopped talking about what a wonderful childhood he had there. Both parents came from large families, so aunts and uncles were always around to take him fishing, make a trip to Shawnee or include him in some new adventure.

Grant was bright and regularly earned Meeker’s academic Letter M. He also loved duck hunting before school and often found the pool hall to be more interesting than his schoolwork. His parents decided Oklahoma Military Academy in Claremore might serve him well. It did. He graduated from OMA in 1954 before attending the University of Oklahoma and Central State.

In 1957, Grant married Anita Alice Garlock. Together they raised three children and built a life in Meeker, Hydro, Okeene and Woodward, Oklahoma.

In September 1966, Grant became a Chevrolet dealer and established Irwin Auto Co. in Okeene. In 1975, he had the opportunity to move to the larger community of Woodward and expand the business. From the 1970s through the 2000s, Irwin Auto Co. sold and equipped grain trucks throughout Oklahoma and the High Plains, eventually becoming the largest Chevrolet medium-duty truck dealer in the United States. This was an extraordinary achievement for a rural dealership in Woodward, Oklahoma. Grant also served in leadership roles with the National Automobile Dealers Association, the Oklahoma Automobile Dealers Association and the Oklahoma Chevy Team. He remained a Chevrolet dealer for 56 years, a milestone few automobile dealers ever reach.

For Grant, the automobile business was always a people business. He valued the employees who worked alongside him, many for decades, the customers who returned year after year and generation after generation, and the communities where he served. He loved the car business, but even more, he loved the people who were part of it. His philosophy was simple, and he repeated it often: “Take good care of people, and everything else will take care of itself.”

Grant simply loved business. In addition to Irwin Auto Co., his entrepreneurial interests led him into agricultural investments, truck equipment, oil field service, and manufacturing, including Mabar Mfg. in Fairview and Total Truck and Trailer and Flowboy Manufacturing in Norman. Just as much as he enjoyed building businesses of his own, he loved hearing about what other people were building. He was genuinely interested in their ideas, their challenges and their successes. His children, grandchildren and many younger business people benefited from his experience, advice and encouragement. His optimism was legendary. Friends and business associates knew that when things weren’t going well, Grant was the person to call. Somehow, after talking with him, the problem seemed smaller and tomorrow looked considerably brighter.

Just as remarkable was Grant’s gratitude. He was genuinely thankful for his life and said so often. He was grateful for his family, his friends, his businesses, his employees, his customers and, in later years, the people who cared for him. He appreciated the life he had and the people who were part of it, and he never hesitated to let them know.

And Grant was fun. He loved to laugh, loved his friends and loved having a good time. He loved the outdoors, especially fishing and quail hunting. In 1994, he made a home in Haines, Alaska, where he spent his summers surrounded by the mountains and waters he loved. Haines became another community where he made close and lasting friendships, and his family continues to enjoy the place that meant so much to him.

In later years, Grant and his longtime companion, Nadine Ware, lived in Norman and later became some of the earliest residents of Sooner Station. Following Nadine’s death in 2022, Grant continued to make his home there, enjoying the community and, in recent years, the companionship of his special friend, Amelia Andre. His family is deeply grateful for the care and kindness he received from the staff at Sooner Station and Enhabit Home Health, and especially from Moneek Howell, whose kindness, help and friendship meant so much to Grant and his family.

Grant is survived by his children, Tamara Beam Cain (Marty), Grant Irwin, Jr. (Brenda), and Melinda Jane Irwin (Dale Frey); grandsons, Stephen Grant Beam and Brooks Ryan Cain (Sarah); sister, Harriet Susan “Susie” Irwin Thompson; brother, Stephen Patrick “Pat” Irwin; niece and nephews, Kimberly Kretchmar, Rich Irwin, Will Irwin and Ernest Thompson; and other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Richard L. “Dick” Irwin.

As Grant said often, “I’ve had a great life.” And he did.

A Celebration of Grant’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. October 29, 2026, at The Shed at Meeker Trading Company, 621 Carl Hubbell Blvd. (Main Street), Meeker, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in honor of H. Grant Irwin, Sr to:

Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation

P.O. Box 53488

Oklahoma City, OK 73152

Or

Friends of Roman Nose State Park Association

PO Box 373

Watonga, OK 73772