Joseph K. Irby V was born Sept. 23, 1955 in The Dalles, Oregon, the first of five children born to Joe and Myra Irby. After an intense battle with cancer for three and a half years, he died peacefully at home with loving family beside him, on Dec. 26, 2017.
His early childhood was spent on the family ranch in Olex, OR. At age 9, his family moved to England for two years, then to Beirut, Lebanon for a year. They traveled to Jerusalem, Egypt, and crossed North Africa in a VW bus before returning home to the States. He graduated from Tigard High School in 1973.
Joe moved to Cordova in 1976. He worked on the road crew in canneries and Cordova Powerhouse as operator engineer. He joined IBEW 1547 and was a local 1547 steward. He met Pamela Desirée Halgren, through a mutual friend, a year before they married on Feb. 15, 1979, on top of Mt Eyak. The couple’s first home was out at Eccle’s lagoon, surrounded by forest, no electricity or running water.
In 1980 he moved his family to the ranch in Oregon where he worked side by side with his dad and brother farming wheat and raising cattle. He next worked for N.W. Aluminum Plant, moving to The Dalles in 1984. His most rewarding job was when he joined IBEW 48 in 1985. Joe also taught at Columbia Gorge Community College.
Joe is survived by his wife of 39 years, Desirée Irby and their children Joe (Kriston), Issac (Tiffany) and Emily (Josh); his grandchildren Eden, Sakari, Kaennon, Koi Jon and Jane; his mother Myra; his four siblings Matt (Bonnie), Betsy (Terry), Julia (Eric) and Sarah; a large extended family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his grandson William James and his father Joe Irby IV.
A Celebration of Life will be held Feb. 15 at the First Christian Church, The Dalles, OR). In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial contributions to Columbia Gorge Christian Fellowship, P.O. Box 40 The Dalles, OR 97058.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
