Roy Dee Irons

Roy Irons of Garden City, Idaho, passed away at home on Wednesday, June 28, 2006, surrounded by his family. Roy was born July 7, 1927, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. Roy came to Idaho September 16, 1948, to play basketball at the University of Idaho. This is where he met his wife to be, Joan Brown. Roy and Jo were married June 27, 1950. They moved to Wendell, Idaho, in August 1950 where Roy became the Vocational Agriculture teacher. One of the highlights of Roy´s life was playing basketball. He was instrumental in starting an AAU team known as the Wendell Gem Staters. They played teams from Idaho, Utah, Montana, Oregon, Nevada, Wyoming, Iowa, New York, Oklahoma and Washington D.C. In the season of 1950-1951 the team completed a successful season of 28 wins and 2 losses with Roy being the second leading scorer for the season. Overall, the Gem Staters played in 117 games only losing 5. In 1964 Roy and his family moved to Boise, Idaho, where Roy started working for the State Board of Vocational Education. Roy was appointed State Director of Vocational Education in 1968. With the help of the people of Idaho, the legislature, the governors and the State Board of Education, more vocational buildings were built under Roy´s tenure than under any other State Director before or after his appointment. Roy retired from the State Board of Vocational Education in February 1984. Roy never met a stranger. He had friends throughout Idaho and across the country. Roy was a gifted conversationalist and loved talking and sharing stories with other people whether in person or on the phone. In fact, after he retired, his favorite hobby was telephoning his friends. Roy is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Jo; daughters, Deann Fowler and Carolyn (Dave) Muth; sons, Jim Irons and Steve (Lynn) Irons; granddaughters, Chelsea and Ashley Irons; grandsons, Aaron, Nick, Ben and Sam Muth; as well as three sisters. Roy was preceded in death by his father, mother and two brothers. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Willowbrook Memorial Fund, Willowbrook Clubhouse, 5601 Willowlawn Way, Garden City, ID 83714 or to charity of choice. Friends are invited to join Roy´s family in a celebration of his life at an open house on Wednesday, July 5, 2006, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Willowbrook Clubhouse with a brief memorial beginning at 6:00 p.m.