Mel Irvin

Mel Irvin, 81Mel Irvin, a 19-year resident of Sun City West, passed away July 16. He was born Aug. 24, 1927 in Pittsburgh. He served two years in the Armor Division of the U.S. Army (1945-46), attended the College of William and Mary on a football scholarship and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1950 with a degree in mining engineering. He met and married the love of his life, Kathryn (Kay) Kerr Dec. 6, 1948. In addition to his loving wife, he was devoted to their seven daughters: Colleen Irvin, Melbourne, Australia; Karen (Thomas) Colbert, Eagan, Minn.; Dianne Irvin, Phoenix; Suzanne (Eric) Kalen, Loveland, Colo.; Christine (Lee) Bunting, Kennett Square, Pa.; Patricia Harder, Arvada, Colo.; and Margaret (John) Baker, Parker, Colo.He took great pride in his 10 grandchildren: Kathryn Colbert, Jackson, Wyo.; Capt. Christopher Colbert, U.S. Army-Iraq, Kelly Colbert, Minneapolis; Andrew and Molly Kalen, Loveland, Colo.; Ethan and Ganett Bunting, Kennett Square, Pa.; Haley and Morgan Harder, Arvada, Colo.; and Abigail Baker, Parker, Colo. He also enjoyed a special relationship with nieces and nephews: John (Collette) Irvin, Jayne (Marc) Peterson, Judy Irvin and James Irvin.He had a successful career of 38 years with E.I DuPont Explosives, carrying him extensively throughout the country before retiring in 1988 as its international director of marketing. He was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers. He filled his retirement years with golfing, gardening and traveling. He was an active member of the Sun City West Agricultural Club, Trail Ridge Golf Club and Saturday Heroes Group.He will be greatly missed by his devoted family and all who knew him, including his golfing and gardening buddies. A memorial service was July 24 at E1 Camino del Sol Funeral Chapel, 13738 Camino del Sol. Internment followed in Pittsburgh. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Phoenix.