James Irwin

James Sanford Irwin, 83, of Kerrville, Texas, formerly of Cross Plains, died Saturday, February 26, 2005 at a hospital in Kerrville, Texas.Mr. Irwin was born June 19, 1921 in Wichita, Kansas to D.J. and Clara Irwin. He graduated in 19 from P.S.J.A. High School in Pharr, Texas. He married Mary Frances Rexrode on May 5, 1941. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant at Midland Odessa Air Base as a Bombardier, and served in the 8th Air Force in England as Squadron Bombardier, and flew numerous missions over Europe including DDay. He was discharged in 1945 as a 1st Lieutenant. He worked as a salesman in Corpus Christi and Lubbock for Sears Roebuck Co. He then opened his own furniture and appliance store in 1959. In 1978 he moved to Cross Plains, Texas and had a furniture repair and upholstery shop. He was Municipal Judge for the City of Cross Plains for 10 years. Mr. Irwin was a lifetime member of the Christian Church, a Mason and a Shriner. He was a Past Master of Cross Plains Masonic Lodge 627, A.F. A.M. a member of Lubbock Scottish Rite, the Suez Shrine, and the Brownwood Order of the Eastern Star. He played in the Brownwood Oriental Band for 25 years. Survivors include wife, Mary Frances, daughters, Sandra Harmon of Kerrville, Lynn OKeefe of Arlington, VA, and Jamie Colley of Odessa, TX brother, David Irwin of Kerrville, 7 grandchildren, and 13 greatgrandchildren. Memorial services with Masonic Rites, courtesy of Kerrville Masonic Lodge 697, A.F. A.M. and Cross Plains Masonic Lodge 627, A.F. A.M. will be 9:30AM, Thursday, March 3, 2005 at the Kerrville Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Arlie Lammers officiating. Interment with military honors will be 1:15PM, Thursday, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX. No visitation is scheduled.In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 336071460.Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Kerrville Funeral Home.

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