Irv Laddin

LADDIN, Irv

Irv Laddin, age 93, passed away on October 23, 2024, having spent his final day and evening with those he loved so much and who loved him so much – granddaughters, Sara Claire and Maya; daughter-in-law, Ellen; and son, Darryl Scott. Irv was born on September 22, 1931, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Irv truly appreciated the life God gave to him. In his own words recently, he recounted, "I have no regrets. I've lived a great life. I had a great mother and father. I had a great wife, of 64 years. I was so fortunate to marry the right person. It's amazing she didn't marry someone else first. I had a great son and daughter, and daughter-in-law. I had great grandchildren. I played tennis when I was 80. Most people don't have the good life I had."

Irv met his lifelong soulmate, Gail, on an airplane from LaGuardia to Chicago on a Friday the 13th in November 1959, they were married on January 16, 1960, and together they shared their lives for 64 years before she passed in February 2024. Their favorite song was Strangers in the Night, by Frank Sinatra, and that song so fit their American love story – strangers in the night exchanging glances … something in your smile was so exciting, something in my heart told me I must have you … in love forever, it turned out so right for strangers in the night. Irv truly died of a broken heart.

Irv graduated from the University of Missouri at the age of 20 with a degree in Journalism, following in the footsteps of his father, Nat Laddin. He served in Intelligence in the Air Force during the Korean War, getting his commission when he was 20 (and at a time that the requirement was 21). Following service in the Air Force, Irv attended and graduated from Stanford Business School. Irv joined IBM in 1956, and served as a Sales Manager and Branch Manager for 30 years, moving his family around the Midwest.

In their journey together, Irv and Gail did an amazing job of raising their children, Darryl and April, instilling values of family, caring for others and hard work, all the while creating an unbreakable bond with their children. Most important, Irv and Gail created the opportunity for their autistic daughter, April to lead a full, joyful life. Irv, together with Gail, also established a lifelong legacy of adventure and a love of water for their family. In a midlife crisis, Irv bought a Honda 350 motorcycle when he turned 40. Irv and Gail rode a motorcycle all over for the next 30 years, including on the busy Chicago expressways and on long trips to see their son, Darryl at tennis camp in Wisconsin. Irv and Gail loved to travel, whether it was to Wisconsin, for their annual pilgrimage to watch Spring Training Baseball in Clearwater, Florida, to the Taj Mahal in India, on an African safari, or on an exotic cruise or a catamaran in the BVI's. And, Irv especially loved any form of water, handing down his love of boating and water skiing to his son, Darryl and, ultimately, to his granddaughters, Sara Claire and Maya. Sara Claire and Maya will forever cherish their trips in the BVIs with their Gigi and Grandpa. Irv grew up playing baseball as a kid, and was a lifelong avid St. Louis Cardinal fan, making trips back to St. Louis to watch games in his later years, and hardly ever missing a game he could watch on TV. Irv was also an avid tennis player, and instilled the love of tennis (and hard work) in his son, Darryl and, ultimately, the love of tennis in his granddaughter, Maya. Nothing made Irv happier in his later years than watching granddaughter, Maya play tennis or granddaughter, Sara Claire compete in gymnastics. Irv truly cherished every moment with Sara Claire and Maya.

Irv is survived by son, Darryl; daughter-in-law, Ellen; granddaughters, Sara Claire and Maya; sister and brother-in-law, Jayne and Bud Schiff; niece, Kara Schiff (Joe Feuerstein); and nephew, Matthew (Nancy) Schiff; and other nieces and nephews, and many cousins. He was predeceased by his wife, Gail; his daughter, April; and his parents, Nat and Bert.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Gail's memory to: Just People, Inc., P.O. Box 930037, Norcross, Georgia 30093, or to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. A graveside service will be held 2:00 PM, Friday, October 25, 2024, at Arlington Memorial Park. Dressler's Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.