Monday, September 7, 2020

Obituary - Gordon Douglas Irby

The funeral service for Gordon will begin at 1:00 p.m., Friday, September 11, 2020 at Hill and Son Funeral Home in Appleton City, Missouri.

Visitation will preceded the service from 12:30 - 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Officiating at the service will be Pastor Marcus Cumpton.

Inurnment will be at a later date in Myers Cemetery in rural Appleton City, Missouri.

The family suggests any MEMORIAL donations for Gordon be made to Myers Cemetery and may be left at the funeral home.

Gordon Douglas Irby, age 76, of Appleton City, Missouri, was born January 23, 1944 to Harvey and Roseanna Irby in Kansas City, MO. He was raised in Lathrop, Missouri and graduated from Lathrop High School in 1962. He grew up in the home of his grandparents. There he learned many things including patience as his grandfather taught him to drive a nail, pull it back out, and redo it until it was straight! He learned the love of God and country, the love of family, how to work hard, be proud of what you have, and to take care of your family.

He was a proud member of the U.S. Army, serving as a dog handler with the military police during the Vietnam War. A favorite story was jumping out of airplanes with the dog strapped to his chest.

Gordon was a hard worker. He enjoyed and learned much working on the Powell Farm near Lathrop. He loved the hard work and camaraderie there. His profession was a heating/cooling contractor. One of his biggest accomplishments as a father was helping his son Andy start a heating/cooling business of his own.

He was the father of four children, whom he loved dearly: Chad, Chet, Megan, and Andy. His family was his total world. He taught them the ethics of love, hard work, fun and love of God. He loved nothing more than to have his family around him, shooting, riding 4-wheelers or just visiting.

In 2013 Gordon and Michelle Allen were united in marriage. They enjoyed seeing their cow herd grow, horses and just caring for their farm together. They also enjoyed their dogs, including one special dog named Pepper aka “Furball”.

Gordon was a hardworking, loving man. He enjoyed people as his twinkling blue eyes showed. His faith was unbreakable as his health declined. He strived to be unstoppable at every task. And you better be ready to go when he was! He never knew a stranger and could bring out the best in all.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, two sisters Joan and Linda, and brother Harvey.

Survivors include: his wife Michelle of the home; children: Chad (Denise) Irby of St. Louis MO, Chet (Michele) Irby of Lawson, MO, Megan (Justin) Phillips of Clinton, MO, and Andy (Chelsea) Irby of Windsor, MO; grandchildren: Nolan, Aidan and Emilyn Irby of St. Louis, MO, Clarabelle and Coralena Irby of Lawson, MO, Clayton and Colby Phillips of Clinton, MO, and Violet Irby of Windsor, MO - all of which were the love of his life; sisters-in-law: Cecile “Sam” Allen of Appleton City, MO and Jennifer (Ed) Boden of Montrose, MO; also left to remember him are many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.



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