Jeff Irons died in February 7, 2008 of kidney failure, according to his wife, Sheila.

Irons grew up in Fullerton, Calif., where he graduated from Sunny Hills High School in 1969 and participated in water polo. He continued his education at Fuller- ton College and Humboldt State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

Jeff fell in love with the Eastern Sierra at a young age, and met his future wife, Sheila, there while on a college field trip in 1979. Together they fulfilled a lifelong dream of making the Eastern Sierra their home when they moved to the area in 1987.

A true renaissance man, Jeff was a gourmet cook who enjoyed entertaining his friends and family with his gastronomic creations. He was also a poet, a film aficionado who loved classic movies and west-erns, and an all-around bon vivant whose dry sense of humor kept everyone laughing.

Diagnosed with kidney disease in 2004, Jeff continued contributing to make his community and the Eastern Sierra even better places. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Jeff leaves behind the wife he adored, Sheila Irons of Sunny Slopes, mother Margaret Irons of Fullerton, and brother Steve Irons, his wife Cheryl and children Thomas and Rachel.

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