Richard Irons

Richard Johnson Irons was born in Lewisburg, West Virginia on October 16, 1936, to George and Anna Irons. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother. He was raised on the family farm in Pickaway, WV. As a teenager, he lost his mother and, two years later, his brother Lewis, in a car accident. Foregoing graduation, he joined the Air Force, and while stationed in Spokane, he met Elizabeth Hess on a blind date. Prior to their meeting, he requested a transfer back east to be closer to home, and unfortunately the transfer went through. After surviving a grueling solo cross-country car trip to Massachusetts he again requested a transfer back to the NW. Shortly after returning to Washington, they were married on June 29, 1957, at First Christian Church, Yakima. They returned to MA to fulfill his military obligation, then returned to Washington and made Yakima their home. He began his service station career working for stations in Union Gap and Yakima before leasing and operating the Shell Station at 16th and Nob Hill Blvd until his retirement. His second career found him as a property owner and landlord for numerous Yakima rentals. Dick was an active member of First Christian Church, Englewood Christian Church, East Mesa Christian Church, the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, and the Shrine. He held offices in numerous Masonic organizations, including Masada Shrine Potentate. He enjoyed going out dancing with friends or entertaining at home. Always smiling, Dick never met a stranger and invariably asked where they were from when he detected the slightest southern accent. An RV allowed for camping and vacations to WV and MN to visit relatives or travel to family fun destinations. Discovering an interest in snowmobiling, he purchased a cabin near Rimrock Lake. After tiring of the NW winters, he and Liz would take their RV to Arizona, eventually purchasing a house in Mesa. He devoted his later years to caring for Liz as her MS progressed. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Liz, after 65 years of marriage. His father, George Sr., mother, Anna, and stepmother Frances, Brothers George Jr., Lewis, and step-brother John. He is survived by his children, Christie (Gary), Debbie (Larry), and Scott. Grandchildren, Sarah, Stephanie (Joe), Aaron, Heidi (Corey), Nicole, and Sedona. Great-grandchildren, Deacon, and Bode. Half-brother Bob (Beckie), half-sister Janet Metcalf, and step-sister Jeanine Beiber. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 22 at 2 p.m. at Englewood Christian Church, 511 N 44th Ave., Yakima, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 911 W 5th Ave., Spokane, WA 99204, or Englewood Christian Church. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard Irons, please visit our flower store.