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Jim Garry Irwin |
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June 27, 1936 ~ January 17, 2017 |
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January 26, 2017 |
Jim Garry Irwin, 80, of Kellogg, Idaho, passed
away January 17, 2017, surrounded by his loving
family. A funeral service was January 23, at the
Kellogg Funeral Chapel with Pastor Corey Berti
Officiating.
He was born June 27, 1936, in Bonners Ferry, the
second son of William and Mary (Chappell) Irwin.
Jim attended and graduated from Bonners Ferry
High School in 1953. He went to the University
of Idaho for one year prior to enlisting in the
U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam, Korea, Okinawa,
Germany and stateside.
He served with distinction, earning a Bronze
Star and a Purple Heart. While he was in the
service he worked for and received a degree in
physics. After 20 years of service to his
country he retired.
On November 18, 1971, James married Billie
Donkelaar in Coeur d’Alene at the First
Christian Church.
They packed up their family after they retired
and moved to Boise to be able to access the
education opportunities available there. Jim
earned an elementary teaching degree and was
able to secure a teaching position in the
Kellogg School District 391.
Jim enjoyed his classroom very much, with
interesting activities for the children such as
hatching eggs in the classroom, various craft
projects including building a quilt in the
classroom that each student made each block to
contribute to the blanket. He absolutely loved
his students and they loved him. He did spend
some time teaching sixth grade math but fourth
grade was his favorite grade to teach.
He would spend summers fishing in Montana,
looking for the best place to take his
grandchildren fishing. One of his granddaughters
was extremely excited because she caught 25 fish
right off the dock. It didn’t matter to her that
they were squaw fish and not edible. At five
years old, fish are fish.
He was happiest when his grandchildren and
great-grandchildren were close. They were
perfect as far as he was concerned.
Jim was a lifetime member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, life member of the
Disabled American Veterans and a member of the
Veterans Foreign Wars.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years,
Billie Irwin, Kellogg, children Patricia (Shawn)
James, Coeur D’Alene, and Ralph Irwin of
Salem, Oregon, sister Jennifer (Glen) Nies of
Coeur D’Alene, 10 grandchildren, 11
great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and
nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sons
James Irwin Jr. and Ernest M. Irwin, brothers
William Irwin, Ernest Irwin and Austin Irwin and
grandchildren Andrew Momb and Angela Momb.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at The
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Alzheimer's
Association or a charity of your choice.
One may sign Jim’s online guest book at
www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.
Shoshone Funeral Services & Crematory, Kellogg,
is entrusted with funeral arrangements. |
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