Stuart M. Irby Sr.

Stuart M. Irby, Sr. died Tuesday, January 17, 2012 in Jackson. Mr. Irby was 58 years old and a lifelong resident of Jackson. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Stuart C. Irby, Jr. and the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Stuart C. Irby, Sr. and the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A Lyons, all of Jackson.

He is survived by his son, Stuart M. Irby, Jr. (Elizabeth) of Little Rock, AR; Miss Natalie R. Irby of Los Angeles, CA and Master Graham R. Irby of Jackson. Mr. Irby is also survived by his grandson, Master Jacob W. Irby of Little Rock, AR. Mr. Irby is also survived by his sister, Miss Margaret M. Irby of New York City; brothers, Charles L. Irby, Sr. (Kate) of Nashville, TN; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Irby (Diane) of Little Rock, AR and Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Irby (Rachael) of Tryon, NC. He is also survived by his nephews: Charles L. Irby, Jr. of Berkley, CA; Andrew A. Irby of Ashland, OR.; Joseph A. Irby, Jr., John T. Irby, Joshua P. Irby, Josiah D. Irby, Joel I. Irby, and one niece, Lori E. Irby. His first cousins are Thomas M. Milam of Madison, Elizabeth B. Schaffenburg, Paul Brewer, Chet Brewer and Lyons Brewer.

Mr. Irby was born April 7, 1953 in Jackson. He was a 1971 graduate of Murrah High School and in 1975 was awarded a Bachelor of Fine Arts from SMU in Dallas, TX. He never stopped learning.

His first business venture was for Irby Construction Company and he was assigned to Indonesia as part of the management team to complete three projects on the island of Java. He transferred to The Stuart C. Irby Co. and served in several departments and was elected President in 1984. He served in this capacity until 2005 when the company was sold to Sonepar USA. Under his leadership, the Company grew dramatically and became the 15th largest electrical distributor in the US in sales. The company’s greatest asset was, and still is, its employees and its reputation for integrity and service. He served on The Board of the National Association of Electrical Distributors.

Mr. Irby’s greatest education interest was Belhaven University. Roger Parrott said “I treasure the 10 years I worked with Stuart as the Chairman of our Board of Trustees – I often miss the vibrancy of those discussions we had before his accident. He was gifted with the ability to insightfully breakdown a problem to its core, and out of that challenge, envision a future that always deserves to capture God’s best for us. The bookends of his life were quality and service, and he could never imagine one without the other because they were the unshakable values that Christ modeled for us. Stuart’s sharp mind, and his passionate heart blended together to create his incredibly generosity spirit, from which thousands of Belhaven University students lives have been transformed.”

Mr. Irby left a legacy of business acumen, love of his Heavenly Father, love and devotion of his family and many friends. He was a lifelong committed servant to Belhaven University, numerous charitable endeavors and the Arts. His many Community, Civic and Professional accomplishments include:

Former Deacon, Television Director, Committee Member of First Presbyterian Church; Former Board Member and Chairman of Jackson Prep; Former President of Downtown Kiwanis Club; Former President of The Jackson Symphony Orchestra Association; President of The Elizabeth M. Irby Foundation; YMCA Trustee; Board Member and Treasurer of the Arts Alliance; Chairman of the Board, Capital Campaign, Development Committee of Belhaven College; Executive Board Member, Trainer, Fundraiser for Boy Scouts of America; Board Member for Crossroads Film Society; Board Member for Foundation for Women’s Education; Fundraiser for Friends of the Jackson Zoo; Chairman and Board Member for Industry Data Exchange Association (IDEA); Board Member, National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED); Board Member for Greater Jackson Foundation; Chairman, Board of Directors, Jackson Preparatory School Foundation; Instructor, Fundraiser, Junior Achievement of Mississippi; Chairman, Honorary Chairman, Board Member, Kindness Foundation; President, Board Member, Kiwanis Club of Downtown Jackson; Chairman of the Alumni Association Board of Leadership Jackson; Board of Directors, Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce; President, Foundation Board Member of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra Association; and Board Member, Allocations, Campaign Section Chairman, United Way of the Capital Area.

Mr. Irby was also an accomplished pilot, musician and photographer. His many hobbies and interests also included motorcycles, scuba diving, tennis, art collecting, travel, and sailing.

The family prefers memorials, in lieu of flowers, to be made to Belhaven University, 1500 Peachtree Street, Jackson, MS 39202.