James “Jimmie” Irby, 84, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2014 with his family by his side in East Helena, MT.
He was born on July 16, 1930 at the family home in Roslyn, WA to James and Mary Irby. Jimmie’s dad was a hard working coal miner in Roslyn and was looking for a career change. A job opportunity eventually presented itself to the father and the family relocated to Walla Walla, WA when Jimmie was four years old. While being raised there, he enjoyed fishing at Mill Creek and playing baseball. He was quite proud of being the only person to hit a 300-foot home run and breaking a window at Paine School. However, he was more worried about getting his ball back than paying for the damage. Additionally, in his teens, he worked summers at Klicker’s Strawberry Acres.
Another proud baseball moment was being placed on the school’s varsity baseball team as a freshman. He had plans to play baseball for Central Washington College (now known as Central Washington University). However, plans changed and upon graduating from Walla Walla High School in 1948, he entered the Air Force and served for almost four years. He was stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base near San Francisco, CA and Larson Air Force Base in Moses Lake, WA. During his enlistment, he met his wife-to-be, Annetta, and got married in 1951 in Reno, NV at the minister’s home in front of the fireplace while the clock on the mantel struck 2:00 p.m. as they were pronounced man and wife. That became a tradition and Jimmie called his wife each year on November 14 at 2:00 p.m. wishing her a Happy Anniversary.
After his discharge from the service, Jimmie and Annetta had three children and lived in various cities throughout California and Washington. He held different jobs like working for Darigold Dairy and the USDA as an egg inspector. After their kids grew up, Jimmie and Annetta sought a different environment and ultimately found a permanent home in East Helena, MT.
At Fort Harrison, Jimmie worked as an accounting technician for twenty years retiring in 1995. During that time his love for baseball never diminished. He was a baseball coach helping his team win a championship. Additionally, he played fast pitch softball and slow pitch softball well into his mid-fifties. During his golden years, he continued to tell stories, fish and visit family members and friends.
Jimmie was preceded in death by his daughter, Cheryl Irby; his son, Scott Irby; and his parents James and Mary Irby.
He is survived by his wife, Annetta Irby of East Helena, MT; his son, Michael Irby of Kennewick, WA; son, James Irby of Helena, MT; granddaughter, Mariah Thompson of Seaside, OR; and seven great-grandchildren.
IRBY, James “Jimmie” L., age 84 of East Helena passed away Saturday, October 4, 2014. Open visitation hours will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, October 9th at Retz Funeral Home, 315 E. 6th Ave, Helena, MT 59601. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 10th, at Retz Funeral Home. Burial with Military Honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens, with a reception to immediately follow at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave, Helena. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lewis and Clark Veterans Council Honor Guard Attn: MT Veterans Cemetery, PO Box 5715, Helena, MT 59604. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Jimmie.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday October 9, 2014
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday October 9, 2014
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday October 10, 2014
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
11:00 a.m.
Friday October 10, 2014
Sunset Memorial Gardens
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following
Friday October 10, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday October 9, 2014
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday October 9, 2014
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday October 10, 2014
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
11:00 a.m.
Friday October 10, 2014
Sunset Memorial Gardens
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following
Friday October 10, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Sherri Roberts says
Haven’t seen Jimmy for years, but worked with him, also during sports when my son was in wresting. He was a wonderful man – & will truly be missed. Thoughts & prayers are with his family.
Leona Zaharko says
Jimmy was a one of a kind guy. Fun, friendly, caring. I so loved working with him at the VA.
Rita McNees says
Anita and family, My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family at this difficult time. Please call me if you need any help or someone to lend a listening ear. Your Beta sisters are thinking of you at this time. God bless. Beta love, Rita
Mike Riley says
Annetta,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. We know this is a difficult time. Just know we are thinking of you.
Your Walmart Family
Greg & Shawna Pratt says
Anita & family,
We are so sorry for your loss…We will miss our neighbor, Jimmy. We have fond memories of him taking time to throw the baseball with our son in our “adjoining” yard and giving him pointers. I will treasure the peonies he dig up from your flower bed and gave to me to plant in mine. Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
From the heart,
Greg, Shawna, Cody & Denver Pratt
Marilyn Connor says
I have many fond memories of the Irbys working their fannies off with the rest if us parents when the boys were wrestling and how supportive they were of Jamie and all of the boys in the club. He was a good good man.
Sharon Warn says
I have many good memories of the Irby’s. Jimmie and Anita were always very friendly and would always lend a hand when needed. They are wonderful people and Jimmie will be missed. My thoughts and prayers to Anita & family.
Love,
Sharon Warn
Michael Thomas says
My thanks to “Jimmie” for his service to our country, my gratitude for the wonderful family that he helped raise and my sympathies for the family that he has left behind. My best wishes for them in their time of grief.