Elvan Sholin
Elvan Sholin

Obituary of Elvan Randall Sholin

Elvan Randall Sholin – Pastor Al. September 20, 1930 – October 15, 2014. “He has fought the good fight. He has finished the race. He has remained faithful. 2 Timothy 4:7 Elvan graduated from Fife High in 1948 and kept in touch with classmates in recent years at the annual lunch. He heard the call to serve the Lord at a young age and radically changed his life. In the late 50’s he took his young family to pastor a church in Hebron, North Dakota returning to Washington in late 1960. He and Marilyn had five children. In 1982 Pastor Al, Bob Kaminski, and Ricci Webster founded the Fountain in the Valley meeting in the Pacific gymnasium. Elvan had a heart for the lost and many times gathered people from the streets to attend church and be fed a meal and most of all fed on the Word. Pastor Al knew only Jesus was the answer for ALL our problems. The church met at times in Algona, Kent, back to Algona and finally the little pink church in Pacific. His son, Timothy is now the pastor and has been for several years. Pastor Al met Patty Monfort Baker in 1986. God gave Patty a love for all the things Elvan loved (Jesus, the Word, the homeless) before He gave her a love for Elvan. They went regularly to the streets of Tacoma and Seattle to minister. Patty and Al were married September 20, 1987, yes, on his birthday. They shared as equal partners in the lord for 27 wonderful years. Pastor Al and the Fountain gang ministered on the Spirit ship being restored for active duty in Seattle. They sailed with the ship as crew members on its first voyage back at sea in 1990. This led to 4 ½ years of adventure travelling to: Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Latvia, Russia, Denmark, Germany, Croatia, Bosnia, Albania, Holland, Angola, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Ghana, and Liberia. The ship arrived in Latvia as communism fell- a very exciting time. Al’s son, Steve, was part of the crew the whole time and Patty’s daughter Belinda was with the ship a year and married crew member Mike Lawrence. They began their marriage in Russia. Pastor Al and Patty returned to the Fountain in 1995. What a privilege to serve Jesus in so many ways. In 2005 Al and Patty took a two week trip to Ghana and visited our dear brother Pastor Gabby and family and our brother Joseph and his family. They have both stayed in our home several times and remain faithful friends. Al was made an honorary chief and very humbled by this. During his latest illness Al was a beautiful testimony of God’s grace and mercy. All who attended him commented on his prayers, gentle loving spirit, and his smile. He never complained and was not in pain. What an example of enduring faithfully till the end. Those left behind for now: Children Grandchildren Mickie -Puyallup Steve, wife Carla -Texas Steven, and step grandkids Melissa and Justan Ford Timothy -Puyallup Ozzy, Shelby, Demetrius (honorary) Sue -Tacoma Ariana Herb, wife Amy –Louisiana Garrett, Lauren Step Children Grandchildren Kirk Baker Chelsea, Christian. Noah Troy Baker –Sherrie Ryan, Rachel, Reegan Belinda Lawrence –Mike Ben, Isaac, Amanda, Zachary Brother’s Bill and Bob; father John and mother Montezza are all deceased. Marilyn, Bill’s wife has been a faithful loving sister to Elvan and to Patty and her son, Jim, a loving and loved nephew. Grandpa Al was thrilled to have three grandsons serving in the military, Ozzy- Marines; Ben and Ryan – Army. He loved all his family and prayed always for them. Terry Home residents were dear to him as was Sumner Lodge in years past. Note from Patty: Al was the love of my life, a gift from God. Together we loved the Word- believing and doing; praying and walking in obedience to the calling on our lives. He prayed for the sick and lost even after others had given up on them. He knew that “who-so-ever would”, could have salvation. I always felt we lived ten lifetimes in 27 years, all good years. Thank You, Jesus, for allowing me the opportunity to walk beside this man. See you soon, Love, may I live up to your example. Famous Al quotes: “Fall in love with your Bible or you won’t make it.” “Help me Jesus!” “Let’s pray kids.” And the famous, “Da Deet, dee.” Memorial Service will be in Pacific at the Fountain in the Valley Church, 1 P.M. Sunday, October 19, 2014. Donations may be made to the church in lieu of flowers. Come prepared to recite a brief story of what Pastor Al meant to you.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Curnow Funeral Home & Cremation Service
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