Thomas (Tom) Edmund Irvin, son of Edmund and Dolores (Hartley) Irvin was born September 14, 1955. Tom grew up in Michigan and then moved to Ballwin, Missouri where he was united in marriage to Jean (Kleve) Irvin on February 25, 1978. Together they had two children, Thomas D. and Nicole.
Following his family’s law enforcement career tradition, Tom started his 28-year career in 1981 by joining the United States Secret Service as a Special Agent in St. Louis, Missouri. His Secret Service career took he and his family from St. Louis to Jackson, Mississippi and Great Falls, Montana. He was assigned to high profile protection details including sitting Presidents, Vice-Presidential candidates and important foreign diplomats.
Tom’s desire to spend more time with his family led him to transfer from the Secret Service to the U.S. Treasury Office of the Inspector General in St. Paul, Minnesota, which is where he spent the rest of his career. Upon retirement from federal law enforcement in 2009, he then worked part-time for the U.S. State Department as a background investigator.
Tom and Jean met while carpooling to school, and it was love at first sight. They truly enjoyed each other’s company and spent as much time together as they could. A good night would be watching one of his favorite shows with the family. He also enjoyed dragging Jean along to Friday afternoon movies. The life they created for their children has made them into incredible adults today by instilling core values that will be carried on for generations.
Music was a huge part of Tom’s life. He enjoyed playing his guitar, learning new songs and listening to music. He loved rocking out to bands such as Chicago, ABBA and The King, Elvis Presley. He enjoyed playing guitar and piano duets with Nicole, and always looked forward to playing their Christmas songs.
Tom enjoyed fishing trips with his family to Canada, Osakis, Minnesota and Spring Lake in Michigan. He loved watching football and never missed a game when #55 (Thomas D) was playing for the North Dakota Fighting Sioux. Go Sioux!
He had many funny sayings and always had a knack for giving things a new nickname. Tom had a special love for dogs and was always asking what the “pupster and mac dadder” were doing. He loved Speedy, Rascal, Chris, Tugger, Ole, Luna and Lena.
Tom was a member of the Bonhomme Lodge, No. 45-AF&AM in Ballwin and Fenton, Missouri.
Tom was a devoted husband, dad and grandfather. He was so proud of his family and his Tissy Tourkins (Jean). His focus in life was to spend as much time as possible with family.
Thomas E. Irvin died unexpectedly on November 9, 2019 in Fargo, North Dakota at the age of 64. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Jean, son Tom (Heidi) Irvin, daughter Nicole (Jeremy Mendenhall) Irvin, and his granddaughters Eleanor, Elaine and Elsie.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Sharon O’Neal.
A celebration of Life Open House will be held Saturday, November 16, 2019 from 12 pm - 4 pm at Royal Cliff Event Center. 2280 Cliff Road, Eagan, MN 55123.
