Isaiah Toran. Sr.

September 23, 1943-March 10, 2023

Lt. Col ret. Isaiah Toran, Sr. went to be with his Lord peacefully at the age of 79 in Lompoc, California on March 10, 2023. He will forever be remembered by his beloved wife of 56 ½  years; Erma Jean Toran; two eldest sons, Isaiah Jr. (LeighAnn) and Christopher O'Shea (Debbie) Toran; daughters, Toya, and Genie Toran; sister, Early Toran; brothers, Clarence (Shirlean) Toran and Aaron Toran; sister-in-law, France Toran; his grandchildren, Amanda Toran, Tiffany Koens (Chris), Jalen, Kailea and Meilani Toran; great-grand-children, Braden and Kinsley Koens and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Darnie B. and I.V. Toran; his brothers, Charles Toran, Robert Toran and Willie Toran.

Deacon Isaiah was born on September 23, 1943, in Grand Junction, Tennessee, La Grange County near Memphis Tennessee.  He was the fourth child of seven. He graduated from Tennessee State University (where he was also commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force) and the University of Southern California (USC). He served a one-year tour in Vietnam and proudly served our country for 26 years as the 4293 Civil Engineering Squadron Commander. After moving to California, he began working on the Vandenberg Air Force Base and eventually retired (in January 1993) after working over twenty-six years. With a strong work ethic and refusal to quit, he then went on to teach middle school, high school, and adult school in the Lompoc Unified School District until 2012 and continued to substitute teach until June 2019.

He was ordained a Deacon in Alabama in 1982, became Chairman of the Board of Deacons at Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church, and has been serving in that capacity until he was called home. He was a Sunday School Teacher, Choir member, Deacon, Vice Deacon, Chairman of Deacons for the last 36 years, a past member of the Lompoc-Santa Maria NAACP Executive committee and Pastor Wiley's right-hand man. Deacon Toran was often described as a loving husband and father, who always put others before himself. A committed member of the Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church, He never turned down an opportunity to serve those around him. He loved the Lord and strived to spread the word of God wherever he went. His positivity, wit, laughter, and love were infectious. His strong and unwavering belief in God, Country and fellow man made him a respected and dignified figure that will live on in our hearts forever.

The visitation will be Friday, March 31, from 4-7 pm in the chapel of the Starbuck-Lind Mortuary.  The Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 1, at 11 am at the First United Methodist Church in Lompoc.  Isaiah will be laid to rest in a private graveside service at Riverside National Cemetery.