David Richard Erwin

It is with heavy hearts, yet profound gratitude for a life of faithful service, that we announce the passing of Dr. David Richard “Rick” Erwin on February 11,  2026, in Fairfield, Texas. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 16, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Round Prairie Baptist Church in Fairfield with Reverend Jeff Wright, officiating. Visitation with the family will be held prior to the service, starting at1:00 p.m.  Mr. Erwin will be cremated after the services.  

Rick was born on March 19, 1946, in Alexandria, Louisiana, to the late Rev. Mike Erwin and Edna Woodruff Erwin. The youngest of three children, Rick was precocious from an early age. He grew up in Glenmora, Louisiana, where his father served as both his pastor and school principal. From childhood, Rick was known for pushing boundaries and doing things his own way. He preferred the outdoors to the classroom, finding joy in riding horses, hunting, and flying airplanes rather than traditional book learning.

After high school, Rick attended Mortuary School in Houston, Texas, becoming a licensed funeral director and embalmer. He worked for Hixson Brothers Funeral Home in Pineville, Louisiana, where he also enrolled at Louisiana College to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Religion. During his college years, he married the love of his life, Gayle Lynn McGee, on

August 3, 1968.

Following graduation, Rick and Lynn moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned his Master of Divinity in May of 1974. Though called to preach, Rick was also gifted with a beautiful singing voice and participated in choirs and ensembles throughout his college and seminary years.

Rick began ministry early, serving as a music and youth minister as early as 1967 while still in college. He served at Letanier Baptist Church and Trinity Baptist Church in Lecompte, Louisiana. During seminary, he served at First Baptist Church of Aledo and First Baptist Church of Dawson, where he became full-time pastor upon completing his degree. He later pastored churches in Basile, Louisiana, and Olney, Texas.

In 1981, Rick was called to pastor First Baptist Church of Dumas, followed by Southside Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. While serving in the Arkansas Delta, Rick was active in state Baptist leadership, serving on the Arkansas Baptist Executive Committee and as a Senate chaplain during Governor Bill Clinton’s administration.

In 1988, Rick accepted a call to Procter Baptist Church in Port Arthur, Texas, where he faithfully served as senior pastor for 33 years. During his years in Southeast Texas, Rick served on numerous community boards, including St. Mary’s Hospital, the American Red Cross, the Caplin Hearing Center, and the Port Arthur Community Home. He was also an active member of Samaritan’s Purse, serving on disaster relief teams following Hurricanes Rita, Ike, and Harvey.

Rick was a lifelong enthusiast of “expensive hobbies,” especially those with wheels. He collected motorcycles, ATVs, Mazda Miatas, trailers, and proudly drove his Ford F-150. He was an avid turkey and deer hunter and cherished annual trips to southwest Texas to hunt with family and friends.

Above all, Rick was a devoted family man. He and Lynn raised two daughters, and he delighted in planning family vacations—especially trips to the mountains of Colorado and Tennessee. Rick was best known as a pastor who deeply cared for people. He led mission teams to the Bahamas and Alpine, Texas, and preached throughout Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, New Mexico, New Jersey, and Brazil. Generous with both his time and talents, Rick freely shared his tools and skills to help others. If someone needed help, they knew they could always count on “Bro. Rick.”

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Mike and Edna Erwin of Glenmora, Louisiana; his sister, Patricia Duke & brother-in-law, Ken Duke of Denham Springs, Louisiana; and his brothers-in-law, Jerry Dardis of Fannett, Texas, and Malcolm Terry of Harrisonburg, Louisiana.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Lynn Erwin of Fairfield, Texas; his daughters, Stephanie Kirkendoll and husband Tad of Groesbeck, Texas, and Betsy Wright and husband Jeff of Fairfield, Texas; and his only grandchild and pride and joy, Beau Erwin Kirkendoll of Groesbeck, Texas. He is also survived by his brother, Mike Erwin and wife Katherine of Zachary, Louisiana; sisters-in-law Kay Terry of Lafayette, Louisiana, and Beth Dardis of Fannett, Texas; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Rick’s life spanned eight decades, three states, and countless friendships. His faith, generosity, and love for people left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

The family would like to especially thank Rick’s caregiver,  Tracy Mitchell of Fairfield, for her compassionate care over the past two years. She has been a true blessing. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse – Disaster Relief.

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