Phillip Neal Irwin, loving husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2020. Phil was born in Lockwood, Missouri on November 22, 1939, to Everett McNeal Irwin and Margaret Virginia (Thorpe) Irwin.
Phil grew up in Missouri & Kansas and moved to Waterloo,Iowa during his sophomore year of High School. He graduated from Waterloo West High School in 1958. Phil was very involved in sports all through school and excelled when running the half mile in track at West High School.
In 1967, Phil met the love of his life, Patricia (Pat) Lee Cooley. They were married on November 11, 1967 at St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church in Waterloo. Together they
raised a beautiful family, filled with wonderful memories including fun holiday traditions, many family trips, and taking an active part in their kids' lives as well as their grandchildren's lives.
He was a delivery driver for Sun Beam Bakery, Kleen Maid Bakery, worked for UPS as a delivery driver for 15 years and then became a self-employed interior/exterior house painter.
Phil, Pat & their daughter Crystal,moved to Arizona in 2000. They loved the weather and Phil loved working in his yard. He accented his yard with rocks, drift wood and pine cones that he had collected over the years during the many family trips. He loved planting flowers and nurturing the many cacti in the yard.
He and Pat were on a Senior Bowling league for the last 18 years. He also loved and enjoyed all of his grandchildren and attended most of the activities they were involved in.
Phil enjoyed life. He loved to dance, listen to music and was always the life of the party. Most importantly, he was a good friend to all.
Phil is survived by his wife, Pat of nearly 53 years, as well as his five children, Keith Irwin, Kevin Irwin, Wendy Bukatz Tofani (Vince), Collin Irwin (Kristin), Crystal Lovelock (Dan). Eight Grandchildren, Elizabeth Bukatz White (Brett), Chelsea Polinsky (Corey), Hailee Jo Smith (Garrett), Tori Tofani, Kate Irwin, Alli Irwin, Connor Irwin, Claire Lovelock and four Great-Grandchildren,Haze Conner, Hollis Conner, Mason White and Mariah White. He is also survived by his sister Holly Irwin and several nieces and nephews.
Phil was preceded in death by his father Everett Irwin, his mother and stepfather Margaret Irwin Tapper and Ted Tapper and also his son Neal Bukatz.
The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith. —Billy Graham
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18