Reflections of Life

Jose Antonio "Tony" Irby, Jr. made his grand entrance into the world on September 13, 1980, at Ingalls Memorial Hospital, much to the delight of his loving parents, Jose Irby and Renee Jones. From that moment on, he was full of life, laughter, and just enough mischief to keep things interesting

As a young boy, he loved collecting hot wheel cars, roller skating and dancing with his cousins, Tamara, Yolanda and their honorary cousin, Keith. His cousin Tanya was his partner-in-crime and together they surely kept the family on their toes. As he got older, Tony took on baseball, video games, and later discovered the joys of restoring cars. Above all, his biggest joy was spending time with his family and friends, keeping them entertained with his signature humor and charm.

Tony was exceptionally close to his younger brother, Cory. He loved being an older brother and they shared an unbreakable bond built on love, support and lifelong experiences. They always looked out for one another, even cutting each other's hair and reflecting on their deep connection as brothers and greatest supporters.

Tony was no stranger to hard work. In 2000, he started at Blue Ridge Farms, mastering both food prep and forklift driving (two skills we sincerely hope he never used simultaneously!). Over the years, he held various roles in warehousing and material handling, always bringing his unique mix of style, skill, and comedy to the job. More recently, he turned his love for cars into a career, working in automobile cleaning and detailing—because if there was one thing Tony knew, it was how to make something shine.

Tony's proudest achievement, though, was being a father to his two sons, Aydenn (mother, Lattea Scates) and Javion (mother, Jonnette Gordon). He adored his boys, who not only inherited his good looks but also his knack for keeping people entertained.

Tony departed this life on March 10, 2025 . He is survived by his mother, Renee, and his father, Jose; his brother, Cory; his children, Aydenn and Javion; Grandma Jones; his aunt Kim and uncles Derrick, Harold, Oscar & Darryl; his nephew, Jayden and niece, Coree; his godfamily, Peggie, Derry & Precious Starr; and a host of cousins and friends, including special friends, James & Nina.