George “Happy” Irby, who had been the welcoming face of the Columbus Air Force Base for more than 50 years and one of Columbus” best-loved philanthropists, died this morning at the age of 94.
“My father lived a long life where he believed in helping people,” said his son, George Irby, director of federal programs for the city of Columbus. “Today is his birthday, and we celebrate still. For his peaceful leaving here, I”m thankful to God for that. I just wish more could live their life like him. I hope I can emulate him throughout my life.”
Happy Irby began working at the CAFB officers” club in the early ”50s. He would stay there, serving drinks and chatting up the officers until his retirement at age 80.
After retiring, Irby continued to work at the officers” club three days a week, and for many, he became the very face of CAFB — a smile and a handshake spanning a half century.
Irby was more than a friendly face; he also was a man who cared deeply about those around him.
Using the tips he made bartending at the base, Irby began the Happy Christmas Fund in 1952. The fund continues to this day, helping to buy Christmas gifts for needy children and fruit baskets for the elderly. In 2005, funds from the project provided gifts to 467 needy children.
John Laws Jr., retired, has been friends with Irby since Laws first began working at the base in 1960. Laws and Irby had a Saturday morning ritual. The two would have breakfast at the hospital and then, when in season, head to the Hitching Lot Farmers” Market. While Laws worked the crowd, Irby would sit in Laws” truck greeting a steady stream of friends and well-wishers.
Irby, Laws said, was one of the best men he has ever known.
“He was one of the best humanitarians that ever lived,” said Laws. “He was always doing things for other people. He loved his family and he really looked after people and he never had any enemies in this world.”
His lifetime of working for the betterment of his fellow man has not gone unnoticed by those around him.
“(Irby was) a very special member of the Columbus AFB family. Happy Irby was a selfless and generous (man) with a bright smile and endearing laugh,” said CAFB Wing Commander Col. Roger Watkins. “He served Columbus AFB as a customer relations assistant for over 50 years and was loved and respected by all who knew him — from the most junior enlisted person to four-star generals. He will be missed and never forgotten.”
When former CAFB personnel reunite, there is one fond memory they all share: Happy Irby.
“There are just a lot of people who went out of their way to make not just me feel welcome but my family,” Gen. Jim Ulm said, during a 2007 CAFB senior leaders and community social, celebrating the base”s 60th anniversary. “And who I remember most is Happy. I”ll never forget Happy Irby. He”s been the assistant manager at the officers” club for a long time.”
Ulm retired from the Air Force in 1991; he was commander at Columbus Air Force Base from 1984 to 1987.
In 1999 the Mississippi Legislature passed a resolution honoring Irby”s work, and earlier this year the lawmakers passed a bill renaming the road leading to the main entrance of CAFB to George “Happy” Irby Parkway.
“Happy Irby was a great American,” said Sen. Terry Brown, R-Columbus, who pushed through the legislation which allowed the road to be named in Irby”s honor. “He personified dedication to our military and dedication to our people. He crossed all socioeconomic boundaries. He was simply a man of the community and he will be greatly missed.”
Irby passed away at 7 this morning at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle. He had been under the hospital”s care for more than a week before his passing. The cause of his death has not yet been released.
Irby”s funeral arrangements are not complete, but will be announced by Lee Sykes Funeral Home.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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