James "Vernon" Irby

James “Vernon” Irby

Stapleton, GA  –         James “Vernon” Irby, 69, loving husband of 51 years to Linda Pennington Irby,  entered into his eternal rest Saturday evening, February 6, 2016 at University Heart and Vascular Institute in Augusta.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday afternoon, February 9, 2016 in the James Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. John Forrester and Dr. Charles Drummond officiating. Interment will follow in the Stapleton Memorial Gardens.

Born to the late Frances Beckworth Irby and the late Fred Irby, Vernon was a lifelong resident of Jefferson County.  He graduated from Wrens High School and attended Augusta Tech where he obtained his engineering certification.  After 30 year of service, Vernon retired as a civil engineer at Fort Gordon.  He faithfully served his Lord at Stapleton Baptist Church where he was a Sunday School teacher and served as church clerk. He was also a member of the Optimist Club. His passion was baseball so it was very fitting that he was a coach in the Wrens Dixie Youth Baseball League for fourteen years—many of his fondest memories were during these coaching years.  He still actively supported the league in any way he could.  He was an avid Georgia Bulldog fan—GO DAWGS!! As a hobby, he could be found doing woodworking projects.  A people-person, Vernon had a knack for storytelling and making people laugh. Described as a big man with a big heart, he had a kind, considerate and generous nature. Vernon had a great love for his family, especially his grandchildren, and taught them his “life lessons” in hopes of making their lives easier. A dedicated, loyal husband, father, brother and friend, Vernon has left a great void no one can fill.

Other survivors include his children, Jeff Irby (Teresa), Mike Irby (Stephanie), Jason Irby (Stefanie) and Julie Irby; nine grandchildren, Emily Irby, Kali Irby, Kaitlyn Irby, Locklin Irby, Harley Irby, Jacob Irby, Carson Irby, Zoie Grace Irby and Camryn Johnson; three great-grandchildren, Lily Russell, Audrey Holmes and Baby Braxton Douglas (on the way); sister, Joyce Irby Cullars; “brother”, Tommy Neal; and many friends.  Serving as pallbearers will be Bob Barrow, Hank Barrow, Danny Beckworth, Ernie Kelley, Keith Neal, Robbie Rooks, Brian Usry and Scott Williams.

The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Wrens Dixie Youth Baseball, PO Box 326, Wrens GA 30833 or to Stapleton Baptist Church, PO Box 146, Stapleton GA 30823 earmarked for the GA Baptist Children's Home.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00 P.M. Monday evening, February 8, 2016.

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