Jimmie Ray Irwin Sr.'s Obituary
Celebrating the Life of Jimmie Ray Irwin, Sr.
Born on December 13, 1943, in Berkeley, California. Died on April 29, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. His parents were Oscar Ray Irwin and Ruby Louise Irwin. He was the 2nd of 3 children. He attended Enterprise High School in Redding, California and graduated in 1962. He earned an AS Degree in Biomedical Engineering in 1972 from Regis College, Denver, Co. and an AA in General Studies from Del Mar College in 1975 in Corpus Christi, Texas.
In 1986 he attended a Pentecostal Bible College in San Fernando, La Union, Philippines.
After graduation in 1962, he joined the Navy and became a Hospital Corpsman and later a Bio Medical Equipment Technician. He retired in 1982 after serving in the Navy for 20 years. He lived 10 years, from 1986 until 1996 in Malasiqui, Pangasinan, Philippines. After retirement he worked for the Post Office as a Equipment Technician for 13 years from 1997 until 2010, before retiring again. He lived in Redding, California, then while in the Navy he lived in Port Hueneme, Oceanside, La Jolla, Oakland, California; Vietnam; Yokohama, Japan; Corpus Christi, Texas; Long Island, New York; Denver, Colorado; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1996 he moved to Washington State and lived in Bremerton, Kirkland, Tacoma, and Lynnwood.
He was married to Alexandra (Sandra) Thetford in September 1962 in Santa Monica, California until 1987 for 25 years. He was married to Virgilina (Helen) Barboza in December 1989 in the Philippines. He was a member of Faith Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, Washington.
He served in the Navy from 1962 to 1982, and during the Vietnam War. He attained the rank of Chief Petty Office (CPO) and received the following medals, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam service Medal with 2 bronze stars, Navy unit citation, a fourth good conduct award, national defense service medal and meritorious unit commendation.
Words to best describe him: short tempered redhead when younger; but forgiven, prayerful, and loves the Lord. In his spare time he enjoyed watching Science Fiction and Action movies, and his favorite Movie: Star Wars and Mandalorian. His favorite music was Christian music.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Irwin, Mukilteo, Washington; his sons, Jim Irwin, Jr., (Janie) Tacoma, Washington, Stuart Irwin, Mukilteo, Washington, Gavin Irwin, San Francisco, California, his sister, Susan Johnson, Pollack Pines, California, 7 grandchildren – Bobby, Rebecca, Sam, Austin, Jonathan, Lilianne, Emma, and 1 great grandchild – Daisy.
Recently predeceased: Son, David Irwin, Spokane, Washington; and Sister, Penny Brandhorst.
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