Eugene Lambert Irving

Eugene Lambert Irving of Peridot, AZ was born to Dewey and Bertha (Lockwood) Irving on 3/12/1951 at Miami Inspiration Hospital, Miami, AZ. Eugene passed away on 6/12/21 at Cobre Valley Hospital, Globe, AZ. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Josephine (Burdette) Irving, children Reuben Irving, Isidra (Delvis) Russell, Marla (Rydell) Taylor, Darla Burdette, Goddaughters Eva Martinez, Mary Natsyn, 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; siblings George Irving, Sr. (Barbara), Peggy (Kirk) Massey, Betty Irving, Rachel Moody, and Beverly Irving. Also, many nephews, nieces, and other relatives and friends. Gene worked as a seasonal fire fighter and crew supervisor for the San Carlos Geronimo Hotshot in his younger years. He also worked in the construction industry. Gene retired in 2014 as a Maintenance Technician with the San Carlos Housing Authority. After retirement, he enjoyed picking up the grandchildren after school. In his early years, he loved playing basketball and baseball and was very good at it. Gene won many tournaments and loved to share his skills in teaching children and anybody who wanted to learn to play. Some of the teams he played for were Turkey Creek Lancers, San Carlos Raiders, Peridot A’s, and the Peridot Mustangs. He enjoyed watching his favorite Arizona sport teams, Phoenix Suns, AZ Diamondbacks, Cardinals, AZ Coyotes and U of A teams. Gene enjoyed going fishing and knew all the places on our reservation where to find that big fish. What he really loved to do was attend family gatherings with his sisters, brother and other family members from Whiteriver; gathering locally where he enjoyed the company of everyone. Eugene’s greatest joy even though it entailed hard work, was to go and cut wood to deliver to families who were preparing for a relative’s wake. He had hoped to return to doing his good deeds by helping people in our community. Gene fought hard against his battle with cancer. He never let it get the best of him – up to his last days he was still fighting to watch the Suns playoff. Gene was well known and had many family and friends. He will be missed by many. A Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 7:00 A.M. until 10:00 A.M. at Grace Lutheran Church in San Carlos, AZ. Funeral services will follow at 10:00 A.M. at the church. Interment will be at Lower Peridot/Six Mile Cemetery in Peridot, Arizona.