CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A table with pictures of beloved retired music professor David Irving at the Wolfe Recital Hall on Del Mar College's Heritage campus helps illustrate his lasting impact and legacy.
"There's thousands of folks we could never know that he had an influence upon," said Karl Kemm.
Hundreds of people from all over the country are expected to attend funeral services for from 6-8 pm Sunday at First United Methodist Church on Shoreline. He died April 3 at 83 years old.
The dedicated educator who spent almost half a century teaching at Del Mar College not only had an ear for music -- he played various instruments ranging from the bass to the French horn -- but he also served as a mentor to generations of students during his 45 years as a music educator.
'As special as he is to me, he's special to many folks'
Music was a passion that began at an early age according to his obituary.
It was something he and Kemm, a professor of horn and humanities at the college's music department, shared.
For Kemm, Irving wasn't only a colleague -- he was a friend.
"Anyone in contact with him was a friend, would consider him a close friend," he said. "He was able to engage in a very comfortable way."
Kemm said the college owes Irving a lot.
"He ran the music fraternity for decades, he just had a lot of influence on anyone that came in contact with him," he said. "We have people in our lives that are special. I would say he touched many people more than usual. As special as he is to me, he's special to many folks."
Irving joined the music department at Del Mar in 1972. He retired from the college in 2017 and was awarded the status of professor emeritus the following year.
A legacy of music in Corpus Christi
He took a special interest in jazz, and was a supporter of the Texas Jazz Festival.
"Whenever we had a festival you would see Dave's students playing there," said Nick Adame.
Adame serves on the DMC Board of Regents. He is a member of the Corpus Christi Jazz Society, but he started as a student.
"When I got out of the service in '73 I came to Del Mar to study music, David Irving was my first instructor," he said.
"He was responsible for bringing down named individuals from time-to-time. Dave has been instrumental in developing the music program, but also starting programs like the mariachi program."
Dan Sipes is also feeling the loss.
The music professor at Texas A&M Corpus Christi knew David in a different role during his work with Tuba Christmas.
"The big thing I used to tell the students I would say watch his hats, because he always brought a bag full of Tuba Christmas hats, and when he would get up to speak and tell his dad jokes, he would change his hats," he said.
When it came to that passion for music, these were Irving's own words.
"When you are doing music, do it the best you can, but more important that that one, I believe the people who play the music are more important than music," he said during a video released by Del Mar following his retirement in 2017.
At least a thousand guests expected to attend and pay their respects.