Johnny Irish

Our beloved father, brother, uncle and friend of many, Johnny Irish left this earth on Wednesday, April 19, 2017. Viewing will be Monday, April 24, 2017, at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home from 1:00 to 7:00 PM. A Funeral Service will be at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at South Park Cemetery. A tribute of Johnny’s life may be found at www.andersonbethany.com where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for his family. Johnny was born on February 13, 1960, to Allison G. Irish Sr. and MaryAnn Irish in Roswell, NM, where he resided for most of his life. When he was only 19 years old, Johnny made the decision to enlist in the United States Army where he served from 1979-1980 and worked as a Track Vehicle Mechanic. Johnny was a family man and was always happy to spend time with his daughters, Amanda Leeson and Amber Irish; grandchildren, Dakota Irish, Kaleb Leeson and Kylie Leeson. He loved his grandchildren with his whole heart and would have done anything in this world for them, who referred to him as "PEEPAW." When Johnny worked at TMC and Nova bus as a mechanic, he made friends with many of his co-workers and loved to joke around with them when they hung out. Johnny had many talents including mechanicing, and he could work on any vehicle that he was under. Some of those vehicles may still have tools in them somewhere and other names, but if it was broke, he could fix it. He enjoyed building models, and he would put his special touch on them with his painting. Johnny had a magical hand when it came to his paint and paintbrush. When he was painting, there was nothing else in the world that mattered. Johnny went into his ZONE and created a mere masterpiece, no matter what the canvas portrayed afterward. Johnny enjoyed listening to a variety of music but had his favorites such as Led Zepplin, Lynard Skinnard and Credence Clear Water Revival, and the list could go on and on. Johnny had a big heart and would do anything for anyone but especially his family. Johnny and his brother Jeff were known around town as the "Irish boys," and with that, it usually meant there wasn’t one without the other. You would often hear their friends say “You know those BIG Irish boys, meaning ALL of the Irish boys. Johnny leaves a legend of some kind behind in everyone that knew him. He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. Surviving to cherish Johnny’s memory are his daughters: Amanda Irish and Amber Irish; grandchildren: Dakota Irish, Kaleb Leeson and Kylie Leeson; brother, Jeffrey L. Irish and wife, Jo Ann; nephews: Jeff Irish and his girlfriend, Tina and Joshua Irish and his fiancé, Kayla; niece, Jill and husband, Preston; two great-nephews: Jeff David and Jaythan; and great-niece, Ashlynn. Johnny was preceded in death by his parents: Allison George Irish and Mary Ann Irish; grandparents: Earl and Ethel Irish, Elmo and Jenny Nickel, siblings: Allison George Irish II and Jamie D. Irish. Those chosen as Honorary Pallbearers are: Dakota Irish, Kaleb Leeson and all of Johnny’s old buddies. Pallbearers are: Jeff Irish, Josh Irish, Willie Hall, Harvey Taylor, George Droba and Ryan Roberts. This tribute was written in honor of Johnny by his family A Better Place To my family, friends, and loved ones, And all that I hold dear- There comes this time for everyone, It’s a part of life, This thing called death- Something we all must face, So hide your tears and stand up straight, I found a better place. If I’ve wronged anyone, while living this life- I’m sorry for the wrong, I did. The hearts made for love, not hate, my friend- I never meant to hurt anyone. So whoever is here and reads this today, Don’t shed those tears for me- Stand tall and proud and live your life, The way you feel it should be. This is my will and testament, That I am passing down to you- Not worldly goods, I have, But my love for each of you. Although I suffered lots of pain, While living the life; I had- There were also times of happiness, So you can’t say life’s all bad. Yes there were times of sorrow, And times of pain and strife. But, overall, I’m grateful for having the gift of life. So as you leave this place of parting, And I say goodbye to you- Try and remember the good things, That we hold dear and true. Don’t think of this as a real goodbye- Just a parting of the ways, ‘Cause where I am, it’s a better place, And I’ll see you there someday….

Johnny Irish

February 13, 1960 - April 19, 2017