Irvin holds the record as longest serving statewide public official in Georgia’s history. He passed away Friday at the age of 88.
Funeral services are scheduled Sunday for former State Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin. Irvin passed away Friday, September 15 following an extended illness.
A native of Hall County, Irvin settled in Habersham County where he and his wife, Bernice, raised their five children. Irvin was first elected to public office in 1956 as a member of the Habersham County Board of Education. He was elected to four terms as Habersham County’s State Representative and served as Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Georgia for 42 years.
Irvin retired to his home in Mt. Airy in 2010.
He was a legend in public service and dedicated a lifetime to helping the people of Georgia.
News of the former state leader’s passing was met with public tributes.
In a series of tweets Friday, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal praised Irvin for his years of dedicated public service and offered condolences to the Irvin family.
Sandra & I are deeply saddened by the passing of Commissioner Tommy Irvin. (1/3)
— Governor Nathan Deal (@GovernorDeal) September 15, 2017
His lifelong service & dedication to GA, particularly to advancing the causes of farmers, helped build a stronger, more prosperous GA. (2/3)
— Governor Nathan Deal (@GovernorDeal) September 15, 2017
While we grieve w/ his family over the loss of Tommy, we’re comforted knowing that he is in a better place & that his legacy lives on. (3/3)
— Governor Nathan Deal (@GovernorDeal) September 15, 2017
Current Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black issued a statement Friday saying, “Commissioner Irvin loved serving Georgia’s farmers and consumers for over three generations. He touched us all with his unsurpassed spirit of stewardship, commitment and work ethic. Beyond agriculture, his commitment to education put a strong and admirable exclamation point on his life’s work. We pray for and offer our condolences to the Irvin family during this difficult period.”
Tenth District State Representative Terry Rogers now represents Habersham in the Georgia State Legislature. He says he was “extremely sad to hear of Commissioner Irvin’s passing” and praises his late predecessor for his many years of public service.
“He was a legend in public service and dedicated a lifetime to helping the people of Georgia,” Rogers says of Irvin. “He still holds the record for the longest serving statewide public official in Georgia history, and that’s a testament to the job he did, and how much people thought of him. He will be greatly missed, and my prayers and thoughts are with the Irvin family “.
Funeral Services will be held at 4:30 p.m., Sunday, September 17, 2017 at Antioch Baptist Church located at 2175 Antioch Church Rd, Mt Airy, GA 30563. Interment will follow in the Yonah Memorial Gardens in Demorest.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m., Saturday, September 16 at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel in Demorest.
Tommy Irvin was 88 years old.
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