Obituary for Russell Wallace Irwin
Russell Wallace Irwin passed away of natural causes on August 11, 2020 at his home, or as
dad would say, old age. Dad was married to Shirley (Cookie) Irwin for 36 years, and they held
hands from the beginning of their relationship to the very end. Dad and Cookie were known for
holding hands as they went for walks or even jumping into the Satsop river with their
grandchildren. Dad showed us all how important family was, he talked with his brothers weekly
his entire life. His youngest brother, Richard Carver (Barbara), was with dad every day in the
last few weeks of life reminiscing and providing love and comfort. I know dad is finding comfort
in heaven with his mom Theresa Brueher Irwin, and his brothers Donald and George Irwin. Dad
grew up on the Southside of Aberdeen, graduated from Aberdeen High School, drafted into the
US Army in 1964, and was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. Dad retired from ILWU
Longshoremen and spent his off-time gardening, hunting, fishing, and hiking.
My husband, Scott Farr, and I moved back home so our children Curtis Farr (Stephany) and
Kevin Farr could live next door to their grandpa for the majority of their childhood. Dad shared
with his grandsons the many stories I grew up with, over ice cream floats or Swanson’s fresh
maple bars. Dad taught the boys the art of clam digging with a shovel, fishing for steelhead, an
unwavering joy of the great outdoors. Dad believed education was one of the most important
resources and he supported both grandsons in their education paths. Dad was very proud of
his grandsons accomplishments. Curtis is a Union Journeyman Iron Worker and Operator, and
Kevin is in his fourth year of dental school. Dad has two great grandsons, Russel Farr who
brought the biggest smile to dad every time he saw him and Weston Farr who is due to be born
in December.
Dad married my mom in 1967 and later divorced in 1984. During that time dad provided my
brother (Ron Major) and I a life that many could only dream about. Dad would take us and our
friends on backpacking hikes and vacations to Disneyland, we rarely were told no. Dad took us
on a month long tour of Europe, giving us wonderful memories. We had a perfectly imperfect
home that we shared with foreign exchange students in the 1970’s. Dad felt very strongly about
making charitable contributions to the next generation. He opened our home with dinners and
pictures for the entire Montesano High School Homecoming and Prom dances and was an
active member of the Montesano Booster Club. My brother and I had a life full of laughter, fun
adventures and great food because we had a great dad.
Dad is one of the greatest men I have known. He showed us all how to live life with a strong
stride keeping us steady on the path to reaching our goals. I was his little princess a real
daddy’s girl, and loved every minute of it.
Patti-Jo (Irwin) Farr
We are having a private family service and ask that in lieu of flowers, please donate to Friends
of Schafer and Lake Sylvia State Parks “The Legacy Project”.
Lake Sylvia provided us with so many fun family days and preserving the lake for future
generations would be the best way to honor dad.
Friends of Schafer and Lake Sylvia State Parks (FOSLS)
“The Legacy Project”
PO Box 642
Montesano 98563
info@fosls.org
dad would say, old age. Dad was married to Shirley (Cookie) Irwin for 36 years, and they held
hands from the beginning of their relationship to the very end. Dad and Cookie were known for
holding hands as they went for walks or even jumping into the Satsop river with their
grandchildren. Dad showed us all how important family was, he talked with his brothers weekly
his entire life. His youngest brother, Richard Carver (Barbara), was with dad every day in the
last few weeks of life reminiscing and providing love and comfort. I know dad is finding comfort
in heaven with his mom Theresa Brueher Irwin, and his brothers Donald and George Irwin. Dad
grew up on the Southside of Aberdeen, graduated from Aberdeen High School, drafted into the
US Army in 1964, and was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. Dad retired from ILWU
Longshoremen and spent his off-time gardening, hunting, fishing, and hiking.
My husband, Scott Farr, and I moved back home so our children Curtis Farr (Stephany) and
Kevin Farr could live next door to their grandpa for the majority of their childhood. Dad shared
with his grandsons the many stories I grew up with, over ice cream floats or Swanson’s fresh
maple bars. Dad taught the boys the art of clam digging with a shovel, fishing for steelhead, an
unwavering joy of the great outdoors. Dad believed education was one of the most important
resources and he supported both grandsons in their education paths. Dad was very proud of
his grandsons accomplishments. Curtis is a Union Journeyman Iron Worker and Operator, and
Kevin is in his fourth year of dental school. Dad has two great grandsons, Russel Farr who
brought the biggest smile to dad every time he saw him and Weston Farr who is due to be born
in December.
Dad married my mom in 1967 and later divorced in 1984. During that time dad provided my
brother (Ron Major) and I a life that many could only dream about. Dad would take us and our
friends on backpacking hikes and vacations to Disneyland, we rarely were told no. Dad took us
on a month long tour of Europe, giving us wonderful memories. We had a perfectly imperfect
home that we shared with foreign exchange students in the 1970’s. Dad felt very strongly about
making charitable contributions to the next generation. He opened our home with dinners and
pictures for the entire Montesano High School Homecoming and Prom dances and was an
active member of the Montesano Booster Club. My brother and I had a life full of laughter, fun
adventures and great food because we had a great dad.
Dad is one of the greatest men I have known. He showed us all how to live life with a strong
stride keeping us steady on the path to reaching our goals. I was his little princess a real
daddy’s girl, and loved every minute of it.
Patti-Jo (Irwin) Farr
We are having a private family service and ask that in lieu of flowers, please donate to Friends
of Schafer and Lake Sylvia State Parks “The Legacy Project”.
Lake Sylvia provided us with so many fun family days and preserving the lake for future
generations would be the best way to honor dad.
Friends of Schafer and Lake Sylvia State Parks (FOSLS)
“The Legacy Project”
PO Box 642
Montesano 98563
info@fosls.org