James V. Irons

Colonel James V. Irons, US Army Retired, Age 95 of Reston, Virginia passed away peacefully in his home on 9/13/2022. He was born April 7, 1927 in Columbus, Ohio and grew up in Dayton, Ohio. His parents were Frank and Minnie Irons (nee Kleinman). He is predeceased by his brothers, Robert (Louise) and Jack (Janet) Irons and sister, Dorothy (Robert) Leimbeck.

Jim played varsity baseball, basketball and football at Fairmont High School in Dayton, Ohio. Drafted in 1945, he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York in 1946. While at West Point, he was captain of the USMA Baseball Team (catcher) and played Guard on the Lambert Trophy winning USMA football teams in 1948 and 1949 under Earl “Red” Blaik. Upon graduation in 1950 he married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn June Somers. They spent the next 62 years together and raised 3 children, Jon, Constance and Melanie. During his 27 year career, his military posts included USARAL (Fairbanks, Alaska), Ft. Benning, GA (Airborne and Ranger training), Korea, Ft. Bragg 82nd Airborne (508th Inf 2nd Bn, CO) in North Carolina and (505th Inf 3rd Bde, Battalion Cdr) in Viet Nam, several Pentagon tours (OACSI, OCRD), Army War College at Carlisle PA, and Brigade Commander at Ft. Lewis, Washington (9th Inf 1st Bde). He received his Masters in Mechanical Engineering in 1963 at Mississippi State University. He was the recipient of the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Legion of Merit among other awards.

After retirement in 1977, Jim worked for BDM and was a home inspector for several years. He traveled with his wife and was close to his USMA Classmates (Class of 50). His beloved wife, June preceded him in death in 2012. He attended the USMA Class of 1950 65th reunion at West Point in 2015 with his children and grandchildren. Col. Irons is survived by three children: Jon of Spartanburg, SC; Constance (Allyn) Richert of Fairfax, VA; and Melanie of Reston, VA. Jim also leaves behind his legacy of five loving grandchildren, Aaron (Callie), Andrew (Laura) and Alexander (Grace) Richert and Daniel and Benjamin (Chase) Irons. and three great grandchildren, Jackson and Annie Irons and Forest Richert. A Visitation will be held on Wednesday 9/21/2022 from 6 to 8pm at Money & King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA. Jim will be interred alongside June at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of COL. James V. Irons, USMA 1950 via credit card www.westpointaog.org or check: The West Point Association of Graduates.