Willis "Hugh" Irvin

Willis "Hugh" Irvin, 99, of Fort Scott, formerly of Rogers, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at his home in Presbyterian Village, Fort Scott, Kansas. He was born in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, February 10, 1920, the son of Herbert and Hope (Swayze) Irvin. On June 19, 1945, Hugh married Mary Agnes Barrett in San Francisco, California. Hugh was a graduate of Decatur High School in Georgia, Class of 1938. Dr. Irvin graduated with a degree in Veterinary Medicine from Auburn University, Class of 1943. During WWII, Hugh was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and served as a Communication Officer on the USS Barnett in the European Theatre and took part in the invasion at Salerno, Italy, and D-Day at Utah Beach, Normandy. His next assignment was on the USS Montrose in the Pacific Theatre involved in the assault on Okinawa. When the war ended, his ship landed the first U.S. troops into Occupied Japan at Sasebo. After the service, he started his career in Omaha as a USDA Veterinarian Meat Inspector. As he rose through the ranks, he worked in Chicago, Indianapolis, New Jersey, New York, Kansas City and Dallas. He retired after 35 years of service as the Director of Federal Meat and Poultry Inspection in Washington, DC. He and Mary retired to Rogers, Arkansas, in 1981. He was a longtime member of the Rogers' Noon Kiwanis Club, a member of the Association for Beaver Lake Environment and a volunteer at Rogers' St. Mary's Hospital for many years. In addition to his wife, Mary, he is survived by two sons, Roger (Susan) of Monroe, Oregon, and David (Janet) of Fort Scott, Kansas, a daughter, Barbara Irvin (Bruce Mayer) of Madison, Wisconsin, four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Leslie Irvin, and Jack Irvin and two sisters, Marguerite Steele and Evelyn Jean Bagwell. Interment will be at the Fort Scott National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Nature Conservancy or to Presbyterian Village of Fort Scott Good Samaritan Fund.