Columbus AFB, community mourn loss of humanitarian, friend

  • Published
  • By Mr. Sonic Johnson
  • Chief, 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Columbus Air Force Base and the Columbus, Miss., community lost a true humanitarian last Friday. 

George "Happy" Irby, Sr., died March 27 after a short illness. Born March 27, 1915, Irby passed away on his 94th birthday. 

After retiring from the Columbus and Greenville railroad, Irby began his 51 year employment at Columbus AFB on October 1, 1958. Irby spent the majority of those years at the Columbus AFB Officer's Club and now the consolidated Columbus Club where he was the Customer Relations Assistant. 

"Happy Irby was selfless and generous with a bright smile and endearing laugh and a very special member of the Columbus AFB family," reflected Col. Roger Watkins, 14th Flying training wing Commander. "He served Columbus AFB as a customer-relations assistant for over 50 years and was loved and respected by all who knew him; from the most junior enlisted person to four-star generals. He will be missed and never forgotten." 

Many know Happy through the Happy Christmas Fund. Mr. Irby, his late wife Sarah and the Missionary Union Baptist Church started the Happy Christmas Fund in the 1950s, when Mr. Irby, working at the Columbus AFB Officers' Club, would take his daily tips he earned as a waiter and put them in a large-mouthed pickle jar. At Christmas time, Mr. Irby would gather all his tips to purchase clothing and school supplies for disadvantaged children in the Columbus area. 

Over the years, this idea blossomed into "Happy Christmas Jugs" placed in various businesses around town to assist The Happy Irby Fund. Many times, Happy would also don a Santa Claus uniform and personally deliver the presents. Happy believed everyone should be happy on Christmas. 

Today, the Happy Irby Christmas Fund is a thriving private organization that has benefited thousands of adults and children alike. Last year, the fund has been able to provide clothing and supplies to over 500 children in the local schools and community. In addition, the Happy Irby Fund has delivered over 150 fruit baskets to shut-ins and elderly who would otherwise be alone. In 1996 the Happy Fund became part of the Combined Federal Campaign with 100 percent of donations collected used to provide gifts. Local fund raisers such as the CAFB Annual Happy Fund Golf Tournament and private donations are accepted throughout the year to keep Happy Irby's dream alive. 

The local and national recognition Irby has received over the years is testament to his undying devotion humanitarian causes. The Columbus Club's "Happy Lounge," graced by a full-length painting of Happy, was dedicated in his honor in 1971. In 1984, he received the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Meritorious Award as the most Outstanding Club Employee in Air Training Command. 

His major Community Service Awards include an honorary degree as Doctor of Humane Letters from Mary Holmes College, selection as one of Mississippi's representatives for President Bush's Thousand Points of Light, Designation as one of Mississippi's Ageless Heroes by Mississippi Blue Cross Blue Shield, presentation of the Harriet Tubman Award by the Magnolia Bar Association in 2006 and the significant honor of being one of the initial Columbus Air Force Base Wingmen. In 1999, Happy traveled to Washington, D.C., to receive the prestigious Jefferson Award for Public Service. 

Happy Irby touched the lives of countless people and that impact is felt globally. His spirit cuts all boundaries and unites people from all walks of life for one purpose: to serve their fellow man. He left the world better than he found it.