LaCoste "Co" Ellerbe Irwin

LaCoste “Co” Ellerbe Irwin, 72, passed away Friday, June 3, 2022.  Mr. Irwin was a lifelong resident of Spartanburg, SC.

He owned and operated Irwin Ace Hardware on Fernwood Drive from its opening in 1982 until earlier this year. For four decades, he was a consummate entrepreneur, building an Eastside community institution where he was known for offering a warm smile and a helping hand to thousands of loyal customers.

A graduate of Spartanburg public schools and the University of South Carolina, Mr. Irwin began his career at South Carolina National Bank and Piedmont Federal Savings & Loan.

A lover of natural landscapes, Mr. Irwin was active in city beautification projects, including as a founder of Trees Spartanburg in 2000, which planted hundreds of trees along Spartanburg’s highways and roads. He served on the Board of Trustees of the Spartanburg Area Conservancy.

He directed similar energy to gardening and landscaping in his own yard in the Fernwood neighborhood of Spartanburg and at a family home at his beloved Lake Summit, N.C. He was a lover of afternoon naps, classic cars, and enjoying the sunsets of Lake Summit while contemplating life.

To his employees, he was an empathetic and supportive leader. To his wife, Nancy, he was a loving and devoted partner for 45 years. To his three adult children, he was a source of wisdom and constant encouragement. To his three grandchildren, he was simply their beloved Paw Paw.

Mr. Irwin was a son of the late William Pinckney Irwin, III and Ellen Ellerbe Irwin. He was preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth Ann Irwin.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Hicks Irwin; his brother, William Pinckney Irwin, IV and wife, Susan; his children, Walton Neil Irwin and his wife, Sarah, of Washington, DC, Ellerbe Irwin May and husband, Nicholas, of Decatur, GA, and Molly LaCoste Irwin of Atlanta, GA. His grandchildren are Lilia LaCoste and Charles Robinett May of Decatur and Evelyn Margaret Irwin of Washington. His brothers in-law are Walton Randolph Hicks and wife, Patricia, and Christopher Neil Hicks and wife, Virginia, of Tampa, FL.  He is dear "Uncle Co" to his nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside service to celebrate Co’s life will be held Wednesday, June 8^th, 11:00AM in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, officiated by The Reverend Nicholas Beasley.  The family is at home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Noble Tree Foundation, c/o The Spartanburg County Foundation, 424 East Kennedy Street, Spartanburg SC 29302; Hand in Hand, 11 Cateswood Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29302; or the charity of your choice.