Obituary

Gary Irwin

January 13, 1952 – February 18, 2025

Gary Irwin was born on January 13, 1952, in Melrose, Massachusetts. He was raised in a loving household alongside his siblings, Barbara Allen, Jeff Irwin, and his identical twin brother, Clyde Irwin.

From a young age, Gary was a true renaissance man with love, passion, and talent for many things. Among his greatest joys was music—having formed a band with his twin brother, Clyde. Even within music his passion was eclectic, embracing classical, rock, modern, and old-time country music. He also had a deep love for woodworking; there was nothing he couldn’t repair himself, and he always preferred to craft his own furniture rather than buy it. Gary was a practical intellectual, being an inventor with at least one patent issued in his name, a long-term subscriber to the Smithsonian Magazine, a voracious reader (including in the classics), and a fastidious observer of the rules of grammar.

Later in life, Gary moved to California with his brother, Clyde, where Gary soaked up the sun on his motorcycle, cultivated a taste for ghost peppers, and developed his entrepreneurial spirit. Gary’s lifelong friend, John Peterson, a fellow transplanted Californian, convinced Gary to move to Lee’s Summit, Missouri. There, he started a construction company called Precision Remodeling. western Missouri and eastern Kansas are dotted with monuments to Gary’s creativity and exquisite craftsmanship.

It was in Missouri that Gary met his former wife, Jacquelyn Smart, and he became a loving stepfather to her children: Chad Carroll, Breena Carroll, Beth Carroll, and Barbara Carroll. Shortly after their marriage, Gary and Jackie had a son together, Luke Irwin. Luke was the light of Gary’s life. Having a child of his own was the greatest blessing he ever experienced, and he wasn’t shy about mentioning it.

Some of Gary’s fondest memories were the times he spent with his son, especially their trips together to New England, Disney World, and Tampa Bay. He was a passionate Kansas City Chiefs fan and an excellent cook who loved preparing meals for those he cared about. How many contractors do you suppose even have a copy of Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking, let alone being able to prepare Beef Bourguignon? More than anything, he adored children and found great joy in their company.

In 2015, Gary was diagnosed with cancer and given just three months to live. However, he declined treatment and, miraculously, went on vigorously to live another ten years, making countless cherished memories along the way.

In his later years, Gary moved to Cole Camp, Missouri, where he lived on a farm with horses, guinea fowl, and other animals that he adored. Indeed, Gary’s love of animals was legendary, whether it was reviving a Goldfinch and coaxing it into flight, nursing a near comatose puppy into life, tirelessly urging errant hummingbirds out of his garage, or wiping down baby guinea fowl to prevent disease. Over the past five years, he spent much of his time with his dearest friends, Ed and Ansie Marquette. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for them, and the feeling was mutual.

Gary passed away on February 18th, 2025.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents William and Katherine Irwin, and his half brother William Irwin

Gary is survived by his son, Luke Irwin, his sister Barbara Allen, and his brothers Clyde and Jeff Irwin. He is also survived by his nephews David Irwin, Matthew Irwin, Jared Irwin and Sam Allen. He was a loving man who never met a stranger. Now, he has found the peace he deserves and will live on forever in the hearts of those he touched.