Irving I-ren Tang's Obituary
God called his faithful servant, Irving I-ren Tang, home on October 1, 2023, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Irving was born in YiYang, Hunan, China on April 18, 1925. His father (Tang Tie Bin) and mother (Han Shiu Chen) had 11 children. Irving was the youngest of the 11 children and the last of his generation. Irving is survived by his second wife, Shi Shi Shao, 6 children May (Peter), Walter, Wayne (Shiori), Wesley, Irving Jr. (Nancy), and Christopher (Rebekah), hanai daughter Trang (Jim), step daughter Chen Min, his 15 grandchildren Aaron (JuYoung), Kate (Laura), Alexander, Sara, Aimee, Antoni (Sofia), Matthew (Esther), Jessica, Jocelyn, Megan, Joshua, Allison (Maika), Jennifer, Kaitlyn and Kylie, and his 3 great grandchildren, Yuni, Natan and Telmo. He was preceded on this earth by his parents, brothers Lieh Chiang, Lieh Wen (Shan Chiu), Lieh Bin (Christopher), Lieh Yin (Philip) Lieh Chien and Lieh Chueng, his sisters Zhun Yin, Ji Yuan, Chien Yuan, and one sister who died in infancy, his first wife Esther (Lee), and his daughter (Margaret Ann).
Irving graduated from Lutheran High School in 1945 and entered Nanking University and Cheng-Chi University. Irving was one of only three hundred students nationwide that was accepted in 1947. In 1950, Irving graduated from Cheng-Chi University. During that time the Communist party had taken over China. Irving decided to leave China and go to Hong Kong, taking his brother Philip with him. By the grace of God, they were able to escape China and attended the Lutheran Seminary in Kowloon. On May 16, 1950, after a day of swimming, Irving came back to the dormitory and hung his towel on a wire. He then received a great shock that lifted him off the ground. Irving realized that he was about to be electrocuted to death, and quickly lost consciousness. At that moment of death, Irving said a prayer asking God to forgive his sins and receive his spirit. Irving fell to the ground and his life was spared. He then had a dream that he wanted to go to America and decided to dedicate his life to Jesus Christ.
Through his brother Christopher, Irving was accepted to McCormick Theological Seminary by the Presbyterian Church USA. Irving started McCormick Seminary in September 1954 and graduated with a BD in three years. In early 1957, Irving was asked to accompany a young Chinese nurse, Esther, back to the hospital. Esther would later become his wife. In 1958, Irving finished his MT at Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey. Irving was ordained as a minister and served his first mission at the Ute Mountain Presbyterian church in Towaoc, Colorado where the Ute tribe had gone from rags to riches due to the discovery of oil on the reservation. It was a challenging time, but he was able to bring individuals one by one to learn the gospel. The Utes are leading new lives, Irving would say. He was often asked what Indian tribe he belonged to, and his response was “a Chinese Tribe” which later became the “Tang Tribe”. His motto was, “Put love first, and you have it right.”
In July 4, 1967, Irving received his US citizenship. In October 1967, Irving accepted a call from Red Eagle Presbyterian Church in Brockton, Montana. During his time in Montana, he was able to bring his older brother Shan Chiu, and his family to the US. In July 1973, he took another position within the Dakota Presbytery, moving his family to Cottonwood, Minnesota so his children could get a good education. In 1990, Irving retired from the ministry.
Irving’s ultimate goal was to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He spent 34 years fulfilling his hopes and dreams of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ among the Native Americans and White people. By God's grace, Irving had received the wonderful experience of peace, joy and satisfaction in his life and ministry. "Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, forget not all His benefits" (Psalms 103:1-2). Now Irving sings aloud "Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come, 'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home." To God be the glory, great things He hath done.
Visitation and funeral services will be on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at 10 am in the chapel at the Valley of the Temples in Kaneohe, Hawaii.
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