Irvin W. Judd, Jr.

Irvin Washington Judd Jr., 99, of Waynesboro, walked peacefully into his loving Savior’s arms on Wednesday, August 26 at Augusta Health in Fishersville, Virginia. He is now free from all pain and suffering following a brave, long-fought battle with blood cancer.

Born on June 24, 1927, in his cherished hometown of Shenandoah, Virginia, he was the son of the late Irvin Washington Judd Sr. and Myrtle Florence Grimsley Judd. Irvin always smiled whenever anyone commented on his age, as he consistently looked much younger than his years.

A proud World War II Navy veteran, Irvin, lived a rich life defined by simple pleasures, a mindset of service, and deep devotion to his loved ones. Following his active-duty service, he remained dedicated to his country in the Naval Reserve for ten years and was a proud supporter and member of the VFW and the American Legion Post 340.

After returning home from the war, he graduated from Shenandoah High School (currently Shenandoah Elementary School). He later attended Shenandoah University before taking his father's advice to go to work at DuPont in Waynesboro, where he worked until his retirement in 1985. He often joked that he had been retired for more years than he had worked. It was at DuPont where he met the love of his life, Bea. They were married on June 17, 1947, and seventeen years later were blessed with a daughter, Stephanie.

Following his father’s lead, Irvin was a historian at heart with a deep passion for Shenandoah and Page County history. He possessed an endless collection of colorful stories about his childhood shenanigans and Shenandoah’s early years. He was actively involved with his hometown museum and strongly believed everyone should know and honor their roots. One of his proudest moments was being invited with his brother, Paul Judd by the mayor to serve as Grand Marshal of the Shenandoah Veterans Day Parade.

Irvin lived out his faith through steady community service, volunteering for many years with Meals on Wheels in Waynesboro and always helping those in need. A longtime member of the Waynesboro Church of the Brethren, he took great pride in supporting the music ministry and operating the sound system. Later in life, he moved his membership to Jerusalem Chapel United Brethren Church in Churchville to be closer to his family. Outside of service and history, Irvin loved fishing, playing golf, flying airplanes, tending to his yard, and traveling. He always noticed life's small pleasures, especially the beauty of God’s creation. He could often be heard saying, "The clouds are pretty," or "Look at that sky." One of his favorite pastimes was sitting on his daughter’s back deck to watch the deer play in the yard.

Above all, Irvin cherished his family. His grandsons were his absolute world, and he spent endless hours watching and bragging about their athleticism and achievements in sports, school., and their careers. Whether sitting in the stands or sharing stories with anyone who would listen, his eyes lit up brightest whenever he spoke of them. He poured endless love and encouragement into their lives, taking immense joy in watching them grow into the remarkable, strong men they are today. Irvin’s unwavering pride in his family remains his greatest legacy, forever held in the hearts of those he loved most.

In addition to his parents, Irvin was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-two years, Beatrice Ann Campbell Judd; and his two sisters, Margaret Judd Pugh and Hazel Judd Downing.

He is survived by his devoted daughter, Stephanie Sandridge, and her husband, Leslie, of Churchville; his two cherished grandsons and granddaughters-in-law, Judd "Hunter" Sandridge (Shannon) of Churchville and Leslie "Holden" Sandridge (Lauren) of Yorktown; his brother, Paul Judd (Shirley) of Shenandoah; and his beloved nieces and nephews, Joy Monopoly (Joe) of Richmond, Ron Pugh (Micki) of Wicomico Church, Virginia, Karen Trout of Roanoke, Doris Ellen Burruss (Rusty) of Midlothian, Virginia, and Stephen Judd (Patricia) of Gladstone, New Jersey.

A funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 PM on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Henry Funeral Home in Staunton with Pastor Andy Shifflett officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 2:00 PM.

Interment will be private.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Judd "Hunter" Sandridge, Leslie "Holden" Sandridge, Vince Barrett, Jake Day, Josh Tinsley, and Jonathan Sandridge.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Shannon Sandridge and Lauren Sandridge.

Irvin's family extends their deepest gratitude to his care teams at the Veterans Association (Staunton and Salem Clinics), Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah, Home Instead, the Augusta Health Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Amedisys Home Health Care, and his devoted caregiver, Kathleen Perand.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Irvin's memory to the Town of Shenandoah Museum and Welcome Center, (507 First Street, Shenandoah, VA 22849); by phone at (540) 652-8773; or online through the Town of Shenandoah Museum and Welcome Center website.