Clarence “Andy” Andrew Edgar Irion died at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home in Glendive on February 1st 2024 at the age of 91. He had stated that he did not want to be 92 years old.
He was born on the family ranch in the Cabin Creek area of Prairie County Montana on February 11, 1932, the 5th child of Samuel and Christina Elhard Irion. He has 2 middle names because by the time his father got to Terry to register his birth he forgot what his middle name was to be, so he included both, Andrew and Edgar. He attended the Irion and Strobel schools before finishing his schooling at the Fallon School. He married Edna Stickel in 1952 and to this union their only child, Twyla Mae was born in 1965. Twyla died in 1993. He was drafted into the Army in January 1954 and was stationed at Fort Ord. Edna went to California with him and they enjoyed their time there before coming home due to his father’s failing health.
Andy worked at several ‘starve to death’ jobs before he went to work at Pine Hills Correctional Facility in Miles City. He enjoyed his work there in the maintenance department. He liked working with the inmates and tried his best to be a good role model for them. While there he made many lifelong friends including Jack Campbell, who called him regularly throughout the years and checked on him the entire time he was at EMVH. He and another co-worker, John Smith, they often commented that they had never had such easy work for such great pay, and they even got to take breaks.
He was much honored to receive the “Excellence in Performance Award” from Governor Stan Stevens in 1990. This included a fun trip to Helena for him and Edna. He retired from Pine Hills in 1993. After retiring he took up his hobbies of welding and making birdhouses. He made some very ornate pieces for his yard. In the later 1990’s he made some special little friends who helped him in his garage. Nathan and Jordan tested everything he built. “Papa” loved teaching them how things worked and playing games with them, including their epic rubber band fights. He made them a sit-on back-hoe for their sandbox and it will be used by the next generation.
Andy was brought to tears when he got to meet baby Presley and insisted she was the most beautiful baby he had ever seen. He even shared the cradle that he and his brothers were raised in with her. He was always kind, gentle and respectful of anyone he met. He never uttered a curse word or said anything bad about anyone. He loved his Lord and prayed continually for everyone close to him.
Andy was preceded in death by his wife, daughter, parents & brothers; Albert, Theodore (Ted), Morris, and his sister, Edna Irion who was just 1 year old when she died of the Spanish Flu. He is survived by nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to the caregivers at Eastern Montana Veterans Home and to Hospice Care for their gentle care and respect for Clarence during his 9 months there.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church in Terry. Military Graveside service will follow in the family lot of the Prairie County Cemetery with full military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Memorials may be sent to the Terry Presbyterian Church or the Evelyn Cameron Heritage Center in Terry, if so desired.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday February 9, 2024
Community Presbyterian Church
Terry, Montana 59349
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
Friday February 9, 2024
Prairie County Cemetery
Terry, Montana 59349
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday February 9, 2024
Community Presbyterian Church
Terry, Montana 59349
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
Friday February 9, 2024
Prairie County Cemetery
Terry, Montana 59349
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Jerry Smith says
Worked with ” Andy” at Pine Hills school. Was a wonderful man. He could fix/repair anything.
Keith Holmlund says
I had the pleasure of working with Andy for eight years at Pine Hills School. You never would find a nicer fellow to work with. He was happy to teach anybody what he knew and by the same token was happy to learn from others too. Rest in peace old friend. Keith Holmlund.
Mark says
I worked with Andy in the Maintenance department at Pine Hills School, as an apprentice. worker, He was the kindest man I ever met, Full of knowledge Andy could fix any thing, I told him, If it was broken, he could fix it, If he couldn’t fix it, then it wasn’t broke, thank you Andy for everything you taught me, RIP my old friend,
Dawn Grist Olson says
I got to meet Andy while my mom and I delivered meals to him. He will be missed.
Rene Laya says
I worked at Pine Hills as a vocational teacher while Andy worked there. What a kind, generous, helpful, and knowledgeable man. This world has definitely lost one of the good ones. RIP my friend.
Andrea Miller says
Sorry to hear about the loss of Andy he was a great guy and he will be missed by many people.