Obituary of Irvin Adair Jr.

Irvin Adair, 100, left this world on 02/14/2023, Valentines Day, to be with his wife of 65 years, Barbara Adair.  

Irvin was born in 1922 to Irvin Adair Sr. and Mary Adair in  Kansas. 

Irvin grew up on a farm in Kansas with his 3 sisters (Louise, Grace, Emma) and his 4 brothers (Roy, Everett, Victor, Louis). His father, Irvin, raised Belgium horses while his mother, Mary, raised chickens and an extensive garden. This family survived through the depression which contributed to Irvin’s creativity and tenacious spirit!

When WWII started, Irvin and his brothers signed up with the military as soon as they were able to enlist. Irvin was sworn into the United States Navy on December 7, 1942 on the USS Oregon in Portland, Oregon, one year after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Irvin served on two destroyer ships during his service - the USS Frankford and the USS Uhlmann. The USS Frankford escorted supply ships from the Brooklyn Navy Yard to Casa Blanca, Africa.

Seaman 1st Class Adair proudly served on the USS Uhlmann, a ship with extensive combat engagement during WWII. Irvin and his fellow sailors provided aircraft carrier support for air strikes in many Pacific Theater battles, including the Battle of Iwo Jima. In addition, they participated in Okinawa, Leyte Gulf, Western Carolines, Luzon,  and Japan operations. When WWII ended, the USS Uhlmann docked at Tokyo Bay, Japan, next to the USS Missouri, where the Emporer of Japan signed the official Instrument of Surrender to the Allied forces. Irvin could see the military dignitaries on the bow of the USS Missouri from where he stood on the USS Uhlmann. 

Irvin received the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the Phillippine Liberation Medal with two stars, and the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal with six stars.  Irvin was Honorably Discharged from the US Navy on 12/07/1946. 

Irvin began working with the City of Colorado Springs in 1948.  He worked as a mechanic for the city at Peterson Field Airport Service Facility and retired as a supervisor after 34 years of service. 

Irvin met the love of his life, Barbara Campbell, in Colorado Springs. They were married in 1951.  Irvin and Barbara were married for over 65 years when Barbara passed in 2017.

Irvin and Barbara have 3 children, Cathy (Mike Clark), David (Ann), and Judy. Irvin and Barbara have 6 grandchildren, Jacob Lowe, William Becker Jr, Bryan Becker, Peter Adair, Molly Adair, and Breanne Adair. Irvin and Barbara have 1 great grandchild, Sophie Lowe. Irvin also has a Shetland Sheepdog, Levi.

Irvin loved being retired! He spent his available time primarily fishing and camping. He also enjoyed cooking. He was a great cook to the profound delight of those who were able to relish his homemade tortilla’s, bread, Irish stew, refried beans, and numerous other specialties.  Irvin also enjoyed long walks to the park pulling his granddaughter, Breanne, in a little covered wagon he made for her. 

Irvin also loved wowing everyone with his experiences in WWII. This included stories about Japanese kamakazi “Zero’s”, deadly typhoons, near sinking of their ship due to impact from another ship, torpedo attacks, and gunfire. 

Irvin’s family, and dog, love him dearly and he will sorely be missed.