James Irvine

James Donald Irvine, Sr., of Phoenix, AZ passed away on March 22, 2017. James, or “Jim” as he was known to friends and family, was born on February 23, 1926 in Kempner, TX. He grew up on a farm near Topsey, TX as the youngest of six children born to James Wilson Irvine, Jr. and Sara Elzira Jenkins. In 1944, at 18 years old, Jim enlisted in the Army Air Forces, where he served during the last years of World War II. After his service and honorable discharge from the Army in 1946, Jim relocated to Peoria, IL where he began his career as a telephone lineman. During this time, he met Mary Elizabeth Colfer, of Galva, IL. They were married on September 23, 1950 and lived in Peoria, IL until 1956 when they moved their growing family to Phoenix, AZ to enjoy health benefits provided by the warmer, dryer climate. Jim and Mary raised their five children in Phoenix before eventually retiring to their summer home in Prescott, AZ following Jim’s retirement from the U.S. West Telephone Company in 1982, after 35 years of service. They remained married until Mary’s death in 1995. In 1996, Jim married Mary Helen Lewis, of Prescott, AZ. As snowbirds, they split their time between Arizona and South Dakota, spending winters in the warm Phoenix desert and summers in the much cooler Sioux Falls, SD. Jim’s favorite pastimes were gardening and travel. He and Mary kept a flourishing garden in Sioux Falls during the summer months and spent time exploring the world, each earning the title of “Road Scholar” several times over. More than anything else, Jim loved being with his family. He is survived by his wife, Mary, sons Tom (Jane) of Lewes, DE, Jim (Teddy) of Glendale, AZ, Pat (Joanna) of Phoenix, AZ and John (Tashia) of Prescott, AZ, daughter Mary (Ken) of Glendale, AZ grandchildren Kimberly, Mark (Sonia), Karen, Matthew (Jaclyn), Kyle (Sara), James, Clare, Brian, Paul, John, Hannah and Hunter and great-granddaughter, Alina, as well as one step-son, Chris (Tammy), one step-daughter, Kerry, four step grandchildren, Ashlee, Josh (Amanda), Jesse and Cory and six step great-grandchildren, Conner, Emma, Jayco, Jayden, Edward and Ayvha . Jim’s love of his family was deeply reciprocated. He will be missed by all who were lucky enough to be part of his life. A memorial service will be Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 7:00 pm at Regency Mortuary, 9850 W. Thunderbird Blvd in Sun City. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the services. Burial with military honors will be Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at 10:30 am at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024.