Irwin Lee Jess, 63, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, May 9, following a short battle with brain cancer.

Irwin was born October 21, 1952 in Fort Morgan, CO to Edwin and Hazel (Ireland) Jess. Irwin married Tammy Rehkop October 29, 1988.

He graduated Fort Morgan High School in 1970 and from CSU with a teaching degree in Voc. Ag. He student taught in Montrose and assisted with the Ag program in Fort Morgan. Irwin went into the construction business building and remodeling homes. He was a partner in Jess Porkers but his true passion was his dryland farming operation, raising wheat and other crops in Morgan, Weld and Adams Counties.

Besides farming, Irwin enjoyed outside activities including hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling and doing carpentry and cement work.

Irwin was active in the community serving on the Conservation District Board, Morgan County Planning and Zoning, the Fort Morgan Rural Fire Board and the Fort Morgan Pest Control District. He was a member of the Fort Morgan Elks Lodge, the Colorado Association of Wheat Growers, CSU Alumni, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union and the United Methodist Church of Fort Morgan.

Irwin is survived by his wife, Tammy; his daughter, Chelsea Riscoe and husband, Eric of Aurora, and his son, Christopher Jess of Fort Morgan; his parents, Edwin and Hazel Jess; in-laws, Donald and Ann Rehkop; two brothers, Randy (Rhonda) Jess and Lyle (Christi) Jess and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Carl and Phyllis Jess, Elmer Ireland and Lillian Jenik.

A celebration of Irwin's life will be held Saturday, May 14, at 11:00 AM at the United Methodist Church in Fort Morgan. Memorial Donations may be made in Irwin's name to the United Methodist Church or the Fort Morgan Elks.