Dr. Thomas Ray Irons passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on Saturday, June 21, 2025. A native Texan, Tom was born on January 7, 1947, in Post, Texas, to Ray and Rachel Irons.

A proud Texas Tech alumnus, Tom took great pride in his professional achievements and, most notably, in his role as a mentor. Known for his curiosity, warmth, and generous spirit, he was a passionate collector and lifelong learner. In recent years, he embraced new hobbies such as coin collecting and fly tying, and joyfully rekindled a long-forgotten talent for drawing. Some of his most cherished moments were spent reconnecting with lifelong friends on camping and fishing trips—times marked by storytelling, laughter, and deep camaraderie.

A celebration of Tom's life will be held at DeBerry Funeral Directors at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 2, 2025.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 30 years, Karen Irons; his siblings, Kaye and Johnny; his son, Thomas; daughters, Alexis, Chelsey, Brittney, and Kim. Tom also leaves behind eight beloved grandchildren, who brought profound pride and joy to his life: Kalleigh, Brayden, Devin, Carter, Elijah, Ryan, Chase, and Tanner.