IRWIN, JESS M. JR. (1912 ~ 2009). The following is an obituary for Jess M. Irwin Jr., longtime State of Texas official. The obituary was published in the January 17, 2009 edition of the Austin American Statesman.
"Jess M. Irwin, Jr. was born on September 24, 1912; he died on January 14, 2009. During his more than ninety-six years he experienced and accomplished a great deal. He was born and raised in Dallas. He graduated from Oak Cliff High School (where he was named 'Cleverest Senior Boy') in 1931. He did not have the opportunity to attend college.
Jess loved God and served Him for many years as a member and elder of the Presbyterian Church. While an elder at First Southern Presbyterian Church, he proudly served on the committee that founded Covenant Presbyterian Church, where he and his family are members.
Jess loved his country and served it as an infantryman in the 232nd Infantry Regiment, 42nd 'Rainbow' Division in Europe during World War II. He experienced combat and saw the horror of the Dachau concentration camp.
Jess loved Texas and in his more than forty year career with the State, served it in a number of positions, including Budget Director for Governors Allen Shivers and Price Daniel; Executive Director of the Board for Texas State Hospitals and Special Schools; Commissioner of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission; Member of the Board for Texas Rehabilitation Commission; Member of the Surplus Property Board; Member of the Sunset Commission; and Executive Director of the Texas State Government Economy and Efficiency Commission.
Perhaps more than anything else on earth, Jess loved his family. He is survived by what he considered his greatest successes, his daughter and son-in-law, Sylvia and Charles Betts; son and daughter-in-law, Jess and Trudy Irwin; grandchildren Kris Adrian, Ruthanne Betts, Desiny Villarreal and husband John, Sarah Swanson and husband Chris, and Lt. Matt Irwin; three great grandchildren, Hannah Adrian, Alex Villarreal and Clarissa Villarreal; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, all three of his siblings, Marie Irwin, his wife of more than fifty years, and by many other loved ones and friends.
The family is grateful to the staff of the Summit at Lakeway and the staff of Hospice Austin for their compassionate care and concern.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 18th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 19th, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3003 Northland Drive, followed by a reception in Eaton Hall. Interment at the Texas State Cemetery will follow the reception.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Jess' memory to Hospice Austin or the Covenant Presbyterian Church Building Fund.
We will miss his strong physical presence and his guiding hand, but his memory will live on with us."
Further information is available through the Texas State Cemetery research department. | 
Follow Us