Frank Owen Irby, 54, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 23, 1958, to the late Sharon Elaine (Lapp) Irby and Eldon E. Irby. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy for 14 years aboard the USS Midway and the USS Coral Sea. He was stationed at Yokosuka, Japan. He also served during Desert Shield and Desert Storm as an electronics warfare specialist. He also trained at the US Border Patrol Academy in Glynco, Ga. Owen is survived by his father, Eldon; sisters, Carol (Johnny) Molina and Debra Wallace; children, Emily and Joshua Irby of Bremerton, Wash.; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and friends. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Funeral services will be held at Webb and Rodrick Chapel, 306 W. Main St., Independence, Kan., with full military honors on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, at 2 p.m. with burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence, Kan.
