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Harry Irwin (November 1, 1921 - April 5, 2011)

Harry Irwin Harry J. Irwin, Jr., 89, of Spearfish, passed away on 5 April 2011 at Sturgis Regional Hospital in Sturgis.

Visitation will be from 2-4 P.M. on Sunday, April 10, 2011 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, April 11, 2011 at All Angel’s Episcopal Church in Spearfish with Father Bunker Hill officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. A memorial has been established to benefit All Angel’s Episcopal Church.

Harry J. Irwin, Jr. was born to Harry and Stella (Burke) Irwin in Bayonne, New Jersey on 1 November 1921. He attended Bayonne High School, graduating in 1938.

He enlisted in the US Navy on 20 October 1942, serving as an AMM2/c machinist mate in the Pacific Island theater supporting naval aircraft operations, and was discharged on 30 October 1945. Harry met his future wife, Audrey Larson, at a USO dance and they were married on 28 June 1946. Graduating from the Aeronautical University, Chicago, Illinois, with a BS degree in aeronautical engineering he worked at numerous aerospace and aircraft manufacturing companies including Astronautics in San Diego, CA, Hiller Aircraft in San Jose, CA, finishing his career with 24 years of service at the FAA in Long Beach, CA.

After Harry and Audrey’s retirements they resettled to Spearfish, South Dakota in 1990 and enjoyed their time together in the Black Hills area where Audrey was born and grew up.

Harry’s hobbies included woodworking, gardening, and especially HAM radio, an area he enjoyed throughout the latter part of his life with the friendships developed among his fellow HAM’s.

He is survived by his daughter Donna Francis, husband Robert, Las Vegas, NV, son Patrick Irwin , wife Laura Irwin, Mesa, AZ, son Kristofer, Oakhurst, CA, and grandchildren Steven Francis, Katharine Francis, Shannon Irwin, and Samantha Irwin. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Audrey.