Clifford David Irvin, Sr.

Clifford David Irvin, Sr., 76, died peacefully Monday, June 30, 2025. The son of Clifford Lee Irvin and June Jones Irvin, he was an amazing man who lived a remarkable life.

He is survived by his daughters, Cathleen Davies (Paul), Melanie Irvin Mims (Patrick) and Amanda Irvin Anderson (David); brothers, Arthur Irvin (Debbie) and Donny Irvin; sister-in-law, Judy Irvin; grandchildren, Lindsey Back Gaulding (Tony), Anthony Back (Kelsie), Rebecca Back Jefferies (Brandon), Cathryn Back Herman, Jonathan Back (Dominique), Zachary Davies, Jacob Davies (Holli), Luke Davies, Bella Solaimani, Nathaniel Anderson, Bradley Anderson and Isaac Irvin; many great-grandchildren; as well as a niece and many nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan K. Hefele-Irvin; his son, Clifford David Irvin, Jr. (Noelle); his stepson, SSG Michael Back (Melissa); his parents; his brother, Billy Irvin; and many special dogs, including Maggie and Sally, whose picture was the only one in his wallet.

David was born October 1, 1948, in Pennington Gap, Virginia. He attended a one-room school in the "holler" for several years before he and his family moved to Hopewell, Virginia. He graduated from Hopewell High School, where he played football and participated in marching band. He worked many odd jobs as a teen and young adult before attending trade school to become a tool and die maker, a job he loved. He worked for many years at Western Electric (later AT&T), where he met Susan. They married within weeks of their first date. For many years, they enjoyed celebrating their December 6 wedding anniversary at the annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk and Parade, where they proudly represented Clan Irwin. He retired from AT&T after more than 30 years of service. He was a faithful member of the Communications Workers of America.

David was never one to sit still. He always had a project to work on, building something, repairing something, painting cars, making toys and musical instruments, carving walking sticks out of curvy tree limbs. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. He rarely missed a game, meet, show or awards ceremony for any of them. In his later years, he spent many hours watching his grandsons play baseball on his GameChanger app. He loved the outdoors, enjoyed camping, boating (most trips included a break down) and whitewater kayaking with his son. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and gun collector and was a member of the Virginia Hunting Dog Alliance. For many years, he sang with the Virginians, a barbershop chorus. After tracing the Irvin lineage, he proudly joined the Capt. William Latane' Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and enjoyed participating in re-enactments. He appeared as an extra in the 1985 "Finnegan Begin Again," filmed in Richmond, Virginia. He played the drum with the St. Andrews Legion Pipes & Drums. David pulled double-duty for years at the annual Virginia Highland Games, representing Clan Irwin and playing with the band. In 2013, he won the Bonnie Knees competition at the games. He was also a member of the Central Virginia Blacksmith Guild and built a forge in his garage at home. He had earned his 45-year chip from AA.

With the help of David Jr., Arthur and other friends and family, he built his Enon log cabin, where he lived, in recent years with Melanie, Patrick and Bella, until his death. David loved celebrating Christmas at the cabin, with a freshly cut tree that you could see from the dormer window and venison tenderloin for breakfast with the kids and grandkids. Actually, he loved any celebration or party and was thrilled to welcome so many family members and friends to the cabin to celebrate his 76th birthday last fall, among many other birthday shindigs.

David never met a stranger and everyone he encountered was sure to hear a story, a history lesson, a song or all three. His favorite stories involved the shenanigans of him and his brothers. He was famous for running out of gas.

His family will remember him always and will not be the same without him.

Visitation is 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Hopewell Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home, 820 W. Broadway Ave., Hopewell, with a funeral service at 10 a.m., on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at the funeral home. Entombment follows immediately at Merchants Hope Memorial Gardens, 11302 Merchants Hope Road, North Prince George, Virginia.

Memorial donations can be made to support Mutts with a Mission at https://muttswithamission.networkforgood.com/.