Beloved So. Baptist pastor, Calvin Truett Partain, passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2020 in Yelm, Washington held by family, and lifted by the love and prayers of many family and friends from a distance.
Partain was born in Lamesa Texas and grew up in Seminole, Texas. Calvin married his high school sweetheart, Marion Francis White, July 14, 1950. Calvin’s high school days were all about cars, playing on the school’s championship football team, and Marion. The two earned bachelor degrees from Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas, and later attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather Shipley, Calvin began pastoring at 17 years old and continued into his eighties.
Partain’s early ministry was in Texas where he pastored several different churches including Florey Baptist Church, Westway Baptist Church, Fluvanna Baptist Church, Olivet Baptist Church, Happy Union Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church of O’Donnell. Calvin led his congregation in his first overseas crusade to Japan, and FBC O’Donnell has remained famously missions minded ever since. His three children were born during these years, and Marion began her career as an elementary school teacher. Calvin continued his love of tinkering with cars and did all his own mechanic work. Calvin’s passion for writing was born during these years of intense ministry, writing a minimum of three sermons a week along with longer Bible study guides and the like. Family summer vacations always brought the Partains to Southern Colorado for the great camping and fishing, and in 1970 Calvin moved his family to Farmington, New Mexico, just South of those mountains, where he bought the first family home.
Partain pastored Crestview Baptist Church in Farmington (now, Grace Hill) while his children finished school and all graduated from FHS. Under Calvin’s leadership this congregation sent teams on three overseas crusades: Mexico, Nigeriara, and South Korea. The church outgrew its campus and Calvin shepherded them through the relocation and building of a new one high on a hill overlooking the city. In Farmington, Calvin’s car work hobby flourished, and he added gardening to his hobbies. The family continued to spend vacations camping in the Colorado mountains and Calvin added deer hunting to his interests. Afterward the children flew the nest, Calvin and Marion moved to Gallup, where he pastored the First Baptist Church, and here he built their new home himself. Again, the church outgrew its campus and relocated on a hill at the edge of town. Calvin was a builder in every sense of the word. He also led this congregation in a partnership ministry trip to England. His passion for missions remained strong throughout his life. Across these years, Calvin mentored a number of younger pastors and missionaries - a ministry that continued throughout his life. He also served two terms as President of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico during this time, and was on the board of directors for Southern Seminary during these years. Calvin’s writing continued to stay centered in the weekly demand during this time, but included analytical works as he served in denominational leadership. Calvin and Marion’s family grew during this time to include children-in-law and grandchildren. Calvin’s love of gardening took root during this time, and the family still gathered for camping and fishing in the mountains of Southern Colorado, but Calvin’s tent was replaced with a camper.
When Calvin retired from full time pastoring in 1993, he served as interim pastor in churches around the state including Rio Rancho, Eastern Hills of Albuquerque, Bethel of Alamagordo, FBC Silver City, FBC Chama. He and Marion remodeled a home in Belen for this season of their life together, and used their camper more for ministry than recreation. Calvin’s love of gardening blossomed and his home remodel focused on making sure their home was perfectly suited for annual grandchildren visits. During this time, and after he finished with interim ministry, Calvin focused on his writing, finished and published two books. One was picked up for publication by WMU and has been revised several times over the years, but is still widely read and used in Bible study. In 2003 Calvin and Marion returned to their favorite home - San Juan County, New Mexico, and built a home in Bloomfield. His last ministry position was as Discipleship Pastor on staff for First Baptist Church Bloomfield and teaching extension courses for Gateway Seminary. Calvin and Marion moved to Washington state to live with their daughter as their health began to decline, which afforded them the opportunity to be near three of their great grandchildren.
Bro. Calvin’s most loved sermons were “It Wasn’t Raining When Noah Built The Ark,” and “You Can’t Plow Looking Back.” His books are More Than Money: Being a Steward of All God’s Given You and Eternal Life Vital Signs (and one more due out posthumously once his daughter retires from teaching - a study of I & II Peter). Calvin’s dying wish was that his death would glorify Christ, that his memorial would include the gospel message and draw attendees to Jesus. This was the theme of his entire life. Well done, good and faithful servant!
Calvin was preceded in death by his son, Walter, and granddaughter, Michele. He is survived by his wife and ministry partner of 69 years, Marion. Two of his children survive him: son, David, and his wife, Marlyn; daughter, Paula and her husband, Jeff; ten grandchildren; seven great grandchildren.What a blessing to call this servant of Christ father, grandfather, great grandfather. We look forward to seeing him again in heaven!
Please join us in celebrating Bro. Partain’s life at First Baptist Church Bloomfield on Friday, February 28th at 10:00 A.M. His graveside gathering will take place on the Wednesday prior in Seminole, Texas. Please contact his daughter Paula to rsvp for this gathering. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Baptist Children’s Home of Portales, New Mexico.
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