Obituary of Michael Joseph Irwin

Michael Joseph Irwin, 79, died Sunday, January 27, 2019 in Chattanooga. He was born February 8, 1939.

He was a longtime resident of Chattanooga, having gone to Baylor School as a young boarding student. He was raised in Warm Springs Georgia, the son of Mabel Fahey Irwin and Dr. Charles Edwin Irwin who was chief of staff and medical director of the Warm Springs Foundation under President Franklin Roosevelt for victims of polio.

After graduating from Baylor School in 1957, he attended the University of Georgia where he was a member of the SAE fraternity. After serving in the army, he married his wife, Julie Francis. They were married for 58 years [2019]. He loved his family and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Mr. Irwin was a retired businessman who started Southeastern Recovery in 1962 serving as president for 44 years until he sold it in 2006. His company served the recovery needs of every bank and financial institution in the southeast.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church which he joined in 1961 before he and his wife Julie were married by Dr. James L. Fowle. He loved his golf and was captain of the golf team at Baylor in his senior year. He continued his love of the game by belonging to the Lookout Mountain Golf Club where he played until ill health compelled him to stop.

Mr. Irwin was preceded in death by a son Samuel Ford Irwin and is survived by his wife, Julie Francis Irwin and his son Michael Joseph Irwin Jr. and wife Joy Ammer Irwin and two grandsons Michael Joseph Irwin Ill and wife Summer Derryberry Irwin and John Addison Irwin.

A graveside service will be held at 4:00 PM Friday, February 1, 2019 at forest Hill Cemetery if the weather permits, otherwise inside Wann Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home and Cremation Center (423) 821-7551. Please share your memories, stories and photos at www.wannfuneralhome.com

 

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