Vernon James Irving

Vernon James Irving, 65, of Forest Hill, Maryland, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2025, with his beloved wife by his side. He was born on November 25, 1959, in Washington, D.C., and was the son of the late Dorothy Mae Irving-Murray and Vernon James Sneed, Sr.

Vernon’s early years were filled with curiosity and drive. He graduated from Old Mill High School in 1978, where he excelled both academically and athletically in football, wrestling, and track. While attending Old Mill High School, Vernon became County Champ for wrestling between 1976-1977. After high school, he proudly enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving his country with dedication and honor with a “Secret” security clearance.

Following his service, Vernon pursued his passion for engineering, earning a Master’s degree in electrical engineering at Kennedy-Western University. He began his professional career at General /Dover/Thyssen-Krupp Elevator in 1983, where his remarkable skill and leadership quickly became evident. After two decades there, he joined the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) as Chief Engineer of the Elevator and Escalator Department. His ambition and entrepreneurial drive ultimately inspired him to create his own business, Admiral Elevator Company, Inc., in the spring of 2000. Under his leadership, the company flourished into one of the largest independent elevator firms on the East Coast — a lasting testament to his hard work, vision, and integrity. Throughout his career, he also designed and developed the software package for the Fire Service PLC used in foreign equipment, and authored “The Next Generation of Elevator Control Systems,” copyrighted in November 1994 and registered with the Library of Congress — a work that influenced the evolution of future elevator controller designs. As recent as May 15, 2024, Vernon received the ”Governor’s Citation” award from the State of Maryland from Governor Wes Moore, for his demonstration of high integrity and ability with appreciation of his outstanding services.

Vernon’s personal life was equally rich and meaningful. He leaves behind Cynthia Irving, with whom he shared many wonderful years. He was the proud father of Nathan, Cassandra, and Nicholas. In 2000, Vernon met his beloved wife, Anett Bakos-Irving, with whom he shared a joyful and devoted marriage filled with laughter, travel, and companionship. Together, they built a loving home, sharing their lives with their cherished pets — Freeda, Cisco, and Bailey.

A man of many passions, Vernon loved to travel and explore new cultures. In recent years, he fulfilled his dream of seeing the world, visiting Egypt, Greece, Italy, and several Caribbean Islands. Through his wife, he also developed a deep connection to the country of Hungary, spending cherished time there with her family and embracing their traditions, cuisine, and culture.

As a lifelong car enthusiast, Vernon proudly built his collection, starting with a Nissan 280, Nissan ZX and later adding his prized purple Plymouth Prowler. He always dreamed of adding a 1969 Chevelle SS to his collection — a symbol of his appreciation for craftsmanship, power, and timeless style.

Football was another lifelong love for Vernon. A star player in high school, he later gave back to the community by coaching youth football. He was a life-long Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

Vernon is survived by his loving wife, Anett; his former wife, Cynthia; his children, Nathan, Cassandra, and Nicholas; and his eight grandchildren: Damar, Leah, Nathan, Jr, Ryan, Myah, Cole, Veronica, and Valencia. He also leaves behind his siblings William, Benjamin, Jacqueline, Verna, and Cynthia, as well as his nieces, nephews, many cousins, extended family members, friends, and colleagues who will forever cherish his memory.

He was preceded in death by his beloved father Vernon J. Sneed, Sr, mother, Dorothy Mae Irving-Murray, sister, Evelyn Jones and his brother, Sylvester Irving, all of whom he loved deeply and now rejoins in eternal rest.

Vernon James Irving will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor, and friend — a man whose strength, humor, and compassion made the world a better place. His kindness, generosity, and willingness to help others touched countless lives — as those who knew him best would say, he had the biggest heart. His legacy lives on in the family he loved, and the countless lives he touched.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” - 2 Timothy 4:7

An Evening Wake Service will be held at Fort Lincoln Funeral Home in the Capitol room, located at 3401 Bladensburg Rd, Brentwood, MD 20722, on November 15, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Visitation will take place at the same location on November 16, 2025, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Fort Lincoln Funeral Home & Cemetery, 3401 Bladensburg Rd, Brentwood, Maryland 20722, on November 16, 2025, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. The service will be available via live stream at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c2511181494077.