Thomas Leech Irvine, 91, of Low Moor died Saturday evening January 22, 2004 at Alleghany Regional Hospital.
He was born August 13, 1913 in Clifton Forge, the son of Robert Preston Irvine and Jessie Leech Irvine.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Ellen McElwee Irvine, of Low Moor, VA; two daughters; Sally Allen Irvine and her husband, Bob Maxey of Alexandria, VA, and Rebecca Jane Irvine of Low Moor; VA ; and one sister, Susan Alexander of Covington, VA. He is also survived by two nieces; Suzanne Wood Wooton of Baltimore, MD and Betsy Wood Brammer of Roanoke, VA; and five nephews; Robert Larkin Gleason of Springfield, VA, Lawrence Irvine "Chip" Wood of Low Moor, VA, William Gregory Wood of Goode, VA, Bruce Anthony Wood of Covington, VA, and John Lewis Wood of Roanoke, VA.
He was preceded in death by five sisters; Lucy Irvine, Elizabeth Irvine Messina, Katherine Irvine Gleason, Ellen Blair Irvine and Charlotte Irvine Wood; and three brothers; Robert Preston Irvine, John Lewis Irvine, and James Anthony Irvine.
He served in World War II in the European Theater, including the Battle of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge and was honorably discharged in October 1945. After the war, he was employed in the signal department of the Chesapeake & 0hio Railroad for 36 years. He retired in 1976 as a signal maintainer. He was a passionate farmer and continued to raise cattle and grow vegetables after retiring from the railroad.
He was a member of Oakland Presbyterian Church and Low Moor Presbyterian Church. He was a former member of the Brotherhood of the Railroad Signalmen, the Clifton Forge Elks Club, the Clifton Forge Lions Club, and the Rich Patch Ruritans.
The family welcomes friends anytime at the farm. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home with the Reverend Lisa Marshal officiating. Interment will follow at Alleghany Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Low Moor Presbyterian Church.