Irvin H. Dares Jr.

Irvin Harold Dares Jr., affectionately known as Dad, Poppa, Brother, Uncle Bum and Mr. Irvin, passed away at his Metairie home surrounded by family on November 19, 2015 at the age of 83. Irvin was a devoted husband to his sweetheart, the late Janet Ann Fontenelle Dares, for 55 years. He was a loving and wonderful father and will be dearly missed by his children Irvin "Sandy" Dares (Elaine), David Dares (Vickie), Kevin Dares (Dawn), Jamie Dares Primeaux (Wayne) and Patrick Dares (Tricia). He is also fondly remembered with great affection by his grandchildren Jene', Danielle, Paul, Jennifer, Kevin II, Amy, Jessica, Michael, Sam, Meghan, Aubrey, and Reagan; and great-grandchildren Victoria, Marlie, Skylar, Jackson, Holton, Caroline and Jon Paul. Irvin had a large and loving family, and will be missed by a host of in-laws, nieces and nephews, and friends with whom he shared many good times and happy memories.

Irvin served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was wounded in combat in Korea. He was awarded the Purple Heart and several other medals. Upon his return he worked at Borden's Dairy, then in 1963 pursued his dream and became a Wildlife Enforcement Agent with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. He supervised the Salvador Wildlife Management Area from 1968 until his retirement in 1996 and was very respected by his fellow employees and the hunters and fishermen he encountered.

Poppa enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, gardening and most of all being with family and friends. He was a parishioner of St. Benilde Church, and a member of the Marine Corps League and American Legion. Poppa's legacy is one of love, friendship, generosity, doing the right thing, and fulfilling his responsibilities. By the example he set he was a tremendous positive influence on everyone who knew him.

A memorial service will be held at ST. BENILDE CHURCH on Wednesday December 2, 2015 with visitation at 10 a.m. and Mass at 1 p.m. It is Irvin's wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, the American Cancer Society, or the Parkinson's Disease Foundation.