JC passed away on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at Accura Healthcare of Shenandoah, Iowa.

A Memorial Service will be held 10:30 a.m. on April 30, 2022 at the Congregational Church in Shenandoah, Iowa.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Shenandoah Education Foundation: PO Box 351: Shenandoah, IA 51601.  Immediately following the memorial service there will be a memorial visitation and luncheon at the Shenandoah Elks Lodge.

JC was born to Mayrilla Haley Irvin and Ermal Irvin on July 14, 1941 in Shenandoah, and he passed away on March 22, 2022 at the Accura Healthcare of Shenandoah.  He grew up in the Shenandoah school system, attending Central Elementary and graduating from Shenandoah High School in 1959.

JC attended UCLA and then the University of Iowa. He was a member of the SAE fraternity and served as their rush chairman traveling the state, meeting and greeting prospective frat members.  This love of travel, coupled with a lack of proper parental supervision, led  to a summer cross-country hitchhiking trip with a friend.

He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Lewis, on August 28, 1964.  Five years later their daughter Mary Jill was born and two years later their son Andrew Lewis.

JC received his law degree from the University of Kansas, where he served on the Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif.  Upon his graduation, JC and Mary moved to Des Moines where he accepted a position with the Thoma law firm.

In 1968, they returned to Shenandoah to spend the rest of their lives and raise their children.  JC began practicing law, while also serving as Page County attorney and legal counsel for the Shenandoah Board of Education. He was active in the local and state bar associations, as well as serving as President of the Iowa Judges Association. He was well known throughout the state for his humorous speeches and irreverent comments.

In 1981, Governor Robert D. Ray appointed JC to serve as a judge for the 4th Judicial District. JC was highly regarded by his colleagues and was viewed as wise, impartial and fair, with a sense of humor that put people at ease. Many of those working with him knew his secret of eating M&Ms to stay alert during lengthy and sometimes tedious (i.e. boring) trials.

JC always loved playing golf, but when he and Mary returned to Shenandoah, it got serious. He found a lifetime friend and partner in Jim Myrberg. They played twice a week and then some. One particular day they allegedly played 108 holes, disproving the theory that practice is the primary contributor to excellence.

On his daily travels, JC noticed the beauty around him and often stopped to take pictures of trees, fields, sunsets, old buildings, and anything else that caught his eye. This turned into a hobby, and he, Mary, and little Nettie traveled to art shows throughout several states, where he displayed his photographs.  The family expects the value of JC's art to increase significantly with his passing.

JC and Mary enjoyed traveling together.  Some of their favorite places were San Francisco, Maui,  Las Vegas,  Maine, and Venice, Italy.  JC also loved playing cards and never met a casino he didn't like.

He was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, traveling with his family to watch them play in the Rose Bowl in 1982 and 2016 and the Orange Bowl in 2003.  Sadly, the Hawkeyes were 0-3 with the Irvin family in attendance.

Upon retiring in 2009, he served as senior judge for several more years.  In 2009, his first grandchildren, Jack Andrew and Charlie James were born to his daughter Jill, and thus began ten years of winters spent in San Diego.  In 2017, Andy and his wife Stacey welcomed their twin boys, Miller James and Andrew "Drew" Ward.  JC loved every minute with his grandchildren and shared many interests with all of them, particularly napping.

JC felt blessed to be in a profession he loved and to work with people about whom he cared deeply.  When he became too ill to get out and about, he missed playing the coffee game and hearing jokes with the guys at Al's.  The Sanctuary group lifted his spirits when they would come to the house to visit.

When he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he handled the memory loss and physical challenges with grace.  Once he could no longer stay at home, he moved to Accura Healthcare, yet never complained. He maintained his kindness and sense of humor with staff, friends, and family.

Jill and Andy and their children were the loves of JC's life, although Mary was pretty high up there too, just edging out the long list of pups, including Molly, Sunshine, Waffle, Spook, Jenny and Nettie.

He was a lifelong member of the Shenandoah Congregational Church, holding a strong and quiet faith.  He cared for his congregation as dear friends, and it was important to him to raise his children in the church.

JC was preceded in death by his mother Mayrilla, father Ermal, sister, Mary Ann Mead, mother and father-in-law, Stella and Donald  Lewis, and sister and brother-in-law Carol and Jim Bonwell.

JC is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Jill and grandsons Charlie and Jack of San Diego, California, son Andy and wife Stacey and grandsons Miller and Drew of Richardson, Texas, and brother-in-law Tom Lewis and wife Paula of Logan, Iowa.  He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.

This obituary was proofread by an English teacher.