Lyle Ray Irwin, 71, of Woodstock, GA passed away suddenly on Monday, July 20,2020. Ray was born in Bloomington, IL to Lyle and Margie Irwin of Danvers. Graduating with a degree in Accounting from Southern Illinois in 1972, Ray moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he pursued his accounting degree as an auditor.
Ray was passionate about health and fitness and in 1978, together with partners Rich Boggs, Norm Cates and Fred Streck, Courtsouth Racquetball Club in Marietta was opened. In the 80s Group fitness was becoming the rage and Gin Miller, who worked at Courtsouth, developed Step Aerobics. Needing a more secure platform, Ray came up with and patented the original Step. In 1989 The Step became a worldwide Fitness phenomena that continues to be utilized today.
Ray exercised 6 days a week: jogging, group fitness and weekly tennis with his lifelong friend, Frank Zimmerman. Known for his quick wit, work ethic, love of country music and kindness, he will be sorely missed by his friends and co-workers at Step Fitness and Mossa.
Ray is survived by his wife of 40 years, Louise, sons Jack and Richard (Rachel), brother Doug (Linda) nieces Penny Bender (Andy), Lindsey Haynes-Maslow (Jason Maslow), Julia Haynes, nephew Wade Irwin and many cousins and relatives in Illinois.
