James "Jim" Harold Kirby's Obituary
DECATUR- James “Jim” Harold Kirby, 65, of Decatur passed away on Friday, Sept 25, 2015 at Decatur Memorial Hospital with his family by his side.
Jim was born June 26, 1950 in Decatur to Jesse Edward and Eleanor (Leach) Kirby. He grew up in Decatur graduating from Macon High School in 1969. He was a member of the United States Navy and a Vietnam Veteran. He married Toni (Starwalt) Shelton in 1972 and together they had two children, Brandon (Jaime) Kirby and Kara Kirby. In 1986, he married Leslie (Lawson) Kirby and together they had Ryan Kirby.
Jim was a devoted husband, father and grandpa. He worked his entire life in the foundry industry starting at Wagner Castings Company in Decatur after high school until closure. Later, he worked at Grede Foundry and retired in 2014 from Neenah Foundry in Wisconsin. In his free time he loved to play golf and was an avid drag racing enthusiast.
Jim leaves behind his children, sons Brandon (Jaime) Kirby and Ryan Kirby of Decatur, daughter Kara Kirby of the Netherlands; sisters Linda (Larry) Mayberry, Marilyn (Bob) McCoy and Marcia Kirby all of Decatur and sister-in-law Linda Kirby of Decatur; Brothers Bob (Laurie) Kirby of Florida, Gary (Kathy) Kirby of Decatur, Larry (Phyllis) Kirby of Kentucky and Bill (Shirley) Kirby of Decatur; 6 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents and nephew Brad Kirby.
Services will be held at 10 am Thursday, October 1, 2015 at Moran and Goebel Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 Wednesday at the Moran and Goebel Funeral Home. Burial will be in Camp Butler National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Team 35 Project Linus Program or to the American Heart Association. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.moranandgoebel.com
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at DMH CCU and St. Mary’s Hospital for the care given during his stay. The family also appreciates all of the special people along the way who assisted him, thought of Jim, prayed and surrounded us with heartfelt love during this difficult time.
Click here to view Jim’s Video Tribute:
https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/94J73NYMF9YRWZ2J
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