Clifford Irwin

Clifford M. Irwin, 82, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007, at his home.

He was born June 25, 1924, in Scott County, Mo., son of Walter and Dora Haney Irwin, his great-grandparents having migrated from England.

He was one of a family of 12 -- eight boys and four girls. He graduated from Oran High School and attended the Ford Motor Institute for sales and management for the auto business.

He and Ruth Verble were married June 9, 1951, in Cape Girardeau. She died March 4, 2005. The Irwins lived in Cape Girardeau all their married life.

Cliff served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was in the South Pacific and occupation of Japan. He had the honor of serving in General MacArthur's headquarters for 14 months in Tokyo.

Following the war, he began work at Ford Groves Motor Co. in Cape Girardeau, first as a salesman, then sales manager, and the last 15 years he was general manager and an owner/partner. He was with the company 38 years. He was a member of Lynwood Baptist Church, the Masonic Lodge 56 years, and the Evening Exchange Club 35 years having served as president, treasurer and on the board of directors. He was a player/coach for the Howard & Swans Cape Jets fast pitch softball team and led them to four state championships in the late 1950s. His hobbies were hunting, fishing and boating near his home on Kentucky Lake.

He is survived by a son, Stan Irwin and wife Glenda of Cape Girardeau; two brothers, Walter Irwin and wife Lorene of Belleville, Ill., Jim Irwin and wife Thelma of Cape Girardeau; and a sister, Dorothy Caldwell of Flint, Mich.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and three sisters.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home Friday from 4 to 8 p.m.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Lynwood Baptist Church, with the Rev. Gary Belcher officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorials may be made to Lynwood Baptist Church or American Cancer Society.