G.A. Irby

G.A. Irby
May 28, 2025
G.A. Irby was born to Gordon and Alma Irby on September 8, 1941 in Wenatchee, and passed peacefully away May 28, 2025 at Central Washington Hospital.
He attended Whitman and Lewis & Clark elementary schools, H.B. Ellison Junior High School and Wenatchee Senior High School graduating in 1959.
G.A. began working at an early age, continued in part-time employment throughout his school years, and only the oldest of the Wenatchee "old-timers" will recall; John's EZ Market, Rooney's Café and Lodge, Applewood Bar-B-Que, Kopper Kettle Cafeteria, F.W. Woolworth, Skookum Packers and Rueben Rash's cherry orchard. He also caddied several years at the Wenatchee Golf and Country Club.
He married Deanna Diede in 1960 and they had a son, Gregory Alan, and a daughter Lysa Beth. In 1991 he met his current wife, Jean Marie Traver, and they were married in 1998.
His adult life included a 13 year career in the loan, credit and collection business, 13 years in the sales, management, and interior design in home and office furnishings, and 17 years a counselor/treatment director in the treatment of substance dependency, retiring in May, 2007 and returning to live in Wenatchee after 38 years in western Washington.
G.A. was a recovering alcoholic, getting sober March 26, 1987 and returning to college to obtain state certification to be employed in the substance dependency treatment field, which he loved and was totally committed to. He was always ready to assist anyone desirous of addressing their demons of addiction.
In addition to God and his family, G.A. loved cooking, gardening and lawn care, old movies, car shows, 1950's rock 'n roll, classic country music, gospel songs and a good corndog.
He was a life-long member of the Church of Christ, and while being away from the Lord for quite a stretch of time, his sobriety brought him back to activity in the church and full recognition of his love of the Lord and the Holy Word.
G.A. was preceded in death by his Mother in November, 1995, his son Gregory Alan in February, 2003, his Father in December, 2004 and his sister Jeanie Rugolsky in June, 2022.
He is survived by his loving wife Jean, daughter Lysa Irby, grandchildren Kayelynne Grant, Logan Grant, Anika Thorson, a bonus grandchild, Megan Sanford, his sister Conna Brownsberger & brother in law Dan Brownsberger, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please search the internet for non-profit substance dependency treatment agencies and contribute to help addicts gain a new life, like G.A. was blessed to attain.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday June 5th, 2025 at Jones,,Jones & Betts on 302 Ninth Street in Wenatchee, followed by a private graveside service at Wenatchee City Cemetery. Arrangements for the graveside services provided by Heritage Memorial Chapel in E Wenatchee.