Carl Jackson Irvin, Jr.

Carl Jackson "Jack" Irvin, Jr., age 71, of Baldwin, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026.

Mr. Irvin was born on February 27, 1954 to the late Carl Jackson Irvin, Sr. and the late Maime Ann Davis Irvin. Jack Irvin was raised in the Hollingsworth Community of Banks County, Georgia, where he grew up as the only boy among three sisters. His sisters adored him, and Jack returned that love wholeheartedly, a bond that remained strong throughout his life. He was a 1972 graduate of Habersham Central High School and went on to graduate from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in 1974. That same year, Jack married his high school sweetheart, O’dessa, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in love, hard work, and their family. Following college, Jack returned home to help run the family poultry farm. In 1981, Jack ventured west, beginning a career in pipeline work across the Western United States. In 1984, he returned home to Georgia and began what would become a defining chapter of his life, his career in the logging industry. Jack owned and operated Irvin Logging Company and managed his cattle farm, Irvin and Irvin. He worked faithfully more than 50 years. These were among his greatest joys, along with his children and grandchildren. Never one to shy away from hard work or adventure, Jack also operated a motocross track in Baldwin during the 1980s and raced motorcycles professionally for five years. Known by all who knew him as an exceptionally hardworking man, Jack had a remarkable work ethic and took pride in everything he set out to do. Outside of his career, Jack was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Cornelia, where he faithfully served as an usher. He treasured time spent at the family cabin on Lake Rabun, creating lasting memories with his children, nieces, and nephews such as, lizard hunting, fishing, and simply being together. Jack was also an avid and devoted Georgia Bulldogs fan.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Lee V. Irvin and Emily Stella Thomason Irvin; and John Arthur Davis and Maimie Davis.

Survivors include his loving wife of 51 years, O'dessa "Dessie" Fabian Irvin, of Baldwin; son and daughter-in-law, Drew Jackson Irvin and Andrea White Irvin, of Baldwin; daughter and son-in-law, Emily Dee Ann Irvin Balenger and Donnie Alf Balenger, Jr., of Buford; grandchildren, Abigail Caroline Irvin, Margaret Ann Irvin, Irvin William Balenger, Drew Jackson Irvin, Jr., Hutchings Jack Balenger; sisters and brothers-in-law, Zoe Irvin Pass and Rod Pass, of Hope Mills, NC; Wanda Irvin DeLeo and Gene DeLeo, of St. Simons; Teresa Irvin Dodd and Steve Dodd, of Baldwin; mother-in-law, Dealva Fabian, Birmingham, AL; brothers-in-law and their spouses, Jeff Fabian and Myra Fabian, of Arizona; Chris Fabian and Tanya Fabian, of Ft. Collins, CO; nine nephews and four nieces.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, January 30, 2026 at the First Baptist Church of Cornelia with Dr. Nathan LaShoto and family officiating. A Private Inurnment will be held at the Leatherwood Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 29, 2026 at the Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Cornelia, P.O. Box 196, Cornelia, Georgia 30531.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, South Chapel at 1370 Industrial Boulevard, Baldwin, Georgia 30511. Telephone: 706-778-7123.