Dr. Raymond Jack Irons

Dr. Raymond Jack Irons, 84, of Lynchburg passed away after a long illness on Tuesday, October 9, 2012. He was born in Ronceverte, West Virginia on October 6, 1928 to Mabel Coffman Irons & Raymond Johnson Irons.

 

He attended Greenbrier Military Academy, West Virginia University and the Medical College of Virginia and graduated early from all schools. He married his wife Anne in 1953 and began a practice of general medicine in Troutville, Virginia, before deciding to specialize in the field of obstetrics, as he imagined that delivering babies would be a joyful medical practice. He went to Jacksonville, Florida to complete a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Vincent\"™s Hospital. He then joined the United States Navy, held the rank of Lieutenant and served stateside during the end of the Korean War.

 

Upon completion of his military service he returned to Virginia, to join an OB-GYN practice with Dr. John R. Saunders in Lynchburg to begin a long and happy career that spanned over 40 years. The practice expanded with the addition of partners Dr. William Foreman, Dr. Richard Niles and Dr. John Gilkey and became the Lynchburg Women\"™s Clinic. It brought him great joy to see babies that he delivered, grow into children and ultimately young adults. Many of which returned to him as patients.

 

He loved the outdoors. He enjoyed boating and water sports at Smith Mountain Lake and skiing at Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia. He bought a farm, just off Coffee Road, in 1971 and became an avid fox hunter and member of the Bedford County Hunt Club. In addition to riding horses, he and his family tended a small apple orchard, vegetable garden and raised cattle. His children spent countless hours collecting the cows that perpetually escaped from the ancient fencing surrounding the farm. When he retired from his medical practice, he found another outdoor passion and became addicted to golf. He spent much of his time playing with his friends at Boonsboro Country Club. He had a loyal group of buddies that dealt with the difficulties of his disease as it progressed.

 

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, William A. Irons. He is survived by his wife, Anne Crudup Irons; his children Janice I. Kagey and her husband David, of Richmond, Gale I. Silvestri and her husband Vincent of Alpharetta Georgia, Raymond Jay Irons and his wife Paula of Roanoke, and Anne-Patrick Smith and her husband Robert of Lynchburg. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren and one great grandchild, Brian Kagey, Ashley Kagey Stevens, Adam Silvestri, Anne Katherine Silvestri, Patrick Silvestri, Farrell Irons, Jack Irons, Andrew Smith and Tyler Kagey. His surviving siblings are Mary Elizabeth Corder and Margaret I. Nicely.

 

The family would like to thank Mr. Alvin Rosser, his caregiver, for providing our

father with love and friendship over the last years of his life. His most thoughtful care and patience in the last stages of our father\"™s life will never be forgotten.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer\"™s Association, 1022 Commerce Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504.

 

Memorial services will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Lynchburg on Friday,

October 12, 2012, at 11:00 AM. The family will be receiving friends at Tharp Funeral home from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 11, 2012.

 

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family (434) 237-9424.