LeeRoy Irby "Bartow"

Published in The Telegraph from 7/31 to 8/1/2009

LIZELLA - LeeRoy "Bartow" Irby, 76, passed away July 29, 2009. Funeral services will be held 2P.M. Sunday in Lizella Baptist Church.

Interment will follow in Macon Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mr. Irby was born in Bibb County to the late Beebe Ray Irby and Mary Ella Edmondson Irby. He was a member of Lizella Baptist Church and was a follower of Christ all of his life. Mr. Irby was a quail guide for Charlane Plantation and White Way Plantation.

Bartow Irby was arguably the best baseball player to come out of Lanier High School. He took a baseball scholarship to Mercer University in 1952. During Spring break of 1952 he signed a professional baseball contract after a one hour tryout, during his minor league career he was traded for Roger Maris and also gave Jim Grant his nick name "Mudcat".

Mr. Irby was preceded in death by his first wife Jerri Lou Emrick Irby and his brother James Mercer. He was retired from Robins Air Force Base as a Branch Chief with 32 years of service.

Mr. Irby was greatly adored by all of his children, grandchildren and a host of close friends and his hunting buddy "Rambler". He will be sorely missed by all.

Mr. Irby is survived by his wife Ann Irby; children, Herman D. Landress of Lizella, DiAnne Smith of Lizella, Michael R. Irby (Sheri) of Macon, Teresa Simpson (Bobby) of Acworth, GA, Bartow Irby (Panama) of Lizella, Jeff Landress (Carla) of Germanton, NC, Julie Walton of Lizella, Scott Irby of Macon, Beth Wallace (Pat) of Macon, Tracy Mullis (Mike) of Macon; 15 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Saturday evening at the funeral home. -In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lizella Baptist Church Building Fund, 2950 S. Lizella Road, Lizella, GA 31052.

Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery has charge of arrangements.