Irvine Baxter Early, Jr., age 87, of Palm Coast, Fla., passed away on January 11, 2017. He was born February 11, 1929 in Jacksonville, FL and was a lifelong resident. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irvine B. Early, Sr. and Elise Doss Early, an infant son, and a twin brother. Irvine attended Landon Jr./Sr. High School and graduated from Bolles School in 1947. He graduated from the Citadel in Charleston, S.C. in 1951. After serving two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as 1st Lieutenant, he received his Masters Degree from the University of Florida in 1955. Irvine worked 40 years for the Duval County Public School System as a teacher and administrator. He was vice-principal at Sandalwood High School for 20 years and retired in 1992. Mr. Early served on the Board of Directors for The Citadel Alumni Assoc., was past president of the NE Florida Citadel Club and class chairman of the Citadel Foundation. He also served on several local education associations throughout his career. Irvine was a lifelong member of Riverside Park United Methodist Church, having served in many capacities. He taught Sunday School for more than 50 years. After retirement, he spent summers and falls with his wife of 60 years, at their mountain home in Balsam, N.C. Together they enjoyed traveling with friends to many places, including Alaska, Nova Scotia, Europe, and all over the U.S. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Vetter Early; son, Irvine Baxter Early, III (Connie); daughter, Lynn Early Brown (Danny); grandchildren, Kyleigh and Gabriel Brown; sister, Mary Early Hardison; nieces and nephews, Paul Hardison, Carol Hardison, Ann Davison (Jim), Melissa Hardison, and Alexander Boyer; several cousins; many dear friends; and his beloved dog, Sophie. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 15th from 4-6:00pm at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL. A graveside service will be held on Monday, January 16th at 11:00am at Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd., with a 2:30pm Memorial Service and Reception at Riverside Park United Methodist Church, 819 Park St., Jacksonville, FL 32204. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Riverside Park United Methodist Church or the Senior Private I.B. Early Citadel Class of 1951 Scholarship, The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, S.C. 29409
Posted in: Florida Times-Union
Posted on: 2016-01-17
Link to original obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timesunion/obituary.aspx?n=irvine-baxter-early&pid=183606981&fhid=14063#sthash.PreH1Fuw.dpuf