Curtis Reed Irby, 92, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 8, following a brief battle with cancer. Born on September 2, 1933, in Hurt, Virginia, Curtis was the 13th of 16 children born to Coleman Alexander Irby and Lucy Wade Yeatts Irby.

He spent his early years helping on the family farm before moving to Newport News in 1952, where he began a remarkable 59½-year career at the Newport News Shipyard. Curtis also proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1955, including time stationed in Korea.

In Newport News, Curtis met the love of his life, Loretta. They celebrated 63 years of marriage on September 1. Together, they raised three children: Jennifer Hutton (Dennis) of Cayce, SC, Denise Barton of Elkton, MD, and Kevin Irby (Foy) of Raleigh, NC. Curtis was a devoted grandfather to six - Kristen Butcher (George) of New York City, Abbi Sullivan (Cory) of Rochester, NY, Derek Hutton (Anna) of Cayce, SC, Philip Hutton (Tylar) of Greenville, SC, Makynzie Barton of Newark, DE, and Haley Beiler (Weston) of Nottingham, PA. and a great-grandfather to four, Leeland and Knox Sullivan, Maggie and Molly Hutton. He is also survived by one brother Pete Irby of Hurt,VA & two sisters Dale Shelton & Drucella Purdue as well as many very special nieces & nephews.

Curtis found joy in gardening and generously shared the harvest with others. On March 31, 1974, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior—a turning point that inspired a lifelong mission of sharing the Gospel and planting seeds of faith wherever he went.

Curtis will be remembered for his unwavering love for Jesus, his joyful sense of humor, and the selfless way he gave his life in service to others.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Maranatha Baptist Church, Yorktown, mission fund. https://mbcyorktown.breezechms.com/give/online

There will be a visitation at Maranatha Baptist Church, 221 Hampton Hwy, Yorktown, VA 23693 on Monday, November 24, 2025, from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. A funeral will take place after the visitation at the same location, starting at 2:00 p.m.

Interment will be private at Albert G. Horton Jr. Veteran's Cemetery.