Dr. James ‘Doc’ K. Irving
MARSHALL — Dr. James “Doc” K. Irving passed away peacefully at The Villa at Winston Court in Marshall, Mich. on October 31, 2023 after a lengthy illness. Jim was born in Escanaba, Mich. on January 4, 1946, the son of Wallace and Mabel (Villemure) Irving. He attended the Escanaba Area Public Schools and graduated from Holy Name High School in 1964. Jim attended Bay de Noc Community College for one year before transferring to Michigan State University where he earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. After graduating from MSU in 1969, he joined the practice at Marshall Veterinary Hospital for 14 years and then bought the Oakdale Clinic in Homer, Mich., where he specialized in horses and large animals. He was well known as an excellent horse vet. Horsemen came to his practice from all over the region. Doc was very dedicated to his practice and spent many long nights on farm calls treating sick animals.
Jim was very dedicated to his beloved children, Steven (Tonya) Irving of Ft. Wayne, Ind. and Kevin Irving of Marshall, Mich.; grandchildren Hailey and William; and stepchildren Brandon, Alex, Taylor, and Matthew.
He is also survived by his sisters Carol Roberts of Milwaukee, Wis. and Judy (Howard) Haulotte of Gladstone, Mich., as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister Lois, the mother of his children Karen Irving, brother-in-law Donald Roberts and niece Kim Roberts.
Jim was a kind, humorous and generous man who was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
The family would like to thank the staff at The Villa and the hospice workers who cared for him there. Most of all, they want to thank Cindy and Curt Francisco of Burlington, Mich., for the love, kindness, friendship and help they have given him for many, many years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jim’s name can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Michigan State University Veterinary Clinic.
Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced by the Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County. To leave online condolences, please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com.