George Lester Irwin, Jr., age 86, of Nashville, Tenn., passed away on Monday, April 8, 2019 in Nashville. Born on April 23, 1932 in Spring Hill, TN, Lester moved to Nashville, where he enjoyed a life full of friendship and adventure. He graduated from Hillsboro High School and went on to become a multi-sport athlete at The Citadel. Upon graduation, he served in the Army as a paratrooper and continued his military service in the Air Force Reserves, retiring with the rank of Colonel.
As an avid outdoorsman, Les and his wife Ruth enjoyed traveling, biking, and spending time with their beloved dog, Abby. Friends and family will miss his friendly smile, firm handshake, and stories told with his unmistakable accent.
Lester is preceded in death by parents George Lester Irwin and Mary Virginia Bailey Irwin and first wife, Binnie Barr Irwin. He is survived by wife, Ruth Reeves Irwin, children Carolyn Irwin Callaway (Michael), George Lester “Bucky” Irwin III, and Mary Irwin Walsh (Marty); grandchildren Rebecca Callaway Monds (Jerry), Laura Callaway Morgan (Clay), John Carter Callaway (Eleanor), Ashley Alexander Walsh, and Martin James “Jay” Walsh III; and four great-grandchildren. Lester is also survived by his brother, Thomas Bailey Irwin (Libby) of Waynesville, NC.
A Visitation will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, with a service to follow at 1:00 pm. Lester requested his body be donated to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: Centerstone Mental Health, Harbor House Supported Housing, 44 Vantage Way, Nashville, TN 37228; or Westminster Home Connection, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3900 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37205.
Posted in: The Tennesseean
Posted on: 2019-04-22
Link to original obituary: https://obits.tennessean.com/obituaries/tennessean/obituary.aspx?n=george-lester-irwin&pid=192621113