Jerry Doyle Kirby

Jerry Doyle Kirby, escorted by the Angels, took a train ride into heaven Sunday afternoon, September 29, 2019 after a three-year struggle breathing from (IPF) Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was surrounded by his loving family and friends.

Memorial Service: 1 p.m. Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Biggers Funeral Home. A reception will follow for sharing JDK stories.

Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Biggers Funeral Home.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations can be made to the IPF Foundation.org, Disabled American Vets, Honor Flights, VFW, or American Legion.

This sweet man was born in Springfield, Ohio. As a child, his family moved to several towns until residing in St Paul, Minnesota for grade school and graduating from Harding High School in 1960. He immediately began work with the Great Northern Railroad which merged with Burlington Northern Rail Road, retiring 34 years later in Contract Administration. His career transferred him and his family to Overland Park Kansas for ten years and then onto Fort Worth, in 1993.
Jerry was a devoted family man, rail riding narrow gauge steam train enthusiast, stock trader, competitive, poker player, tv buff, teaser, lover of Rhubarb Pie and three helpings at Thanksgiving dinner with cranberries!, staunch republican, avid world traveler, terrified of heights, stubborn, never complaining, loving, forgiving, caring, gentle man. Thank you, Jerry, for blessing so many lives and being a role model of Grace and Dignity.

He was preceded in death by his brother Ronnie, his parents, Doyle and Glady Kirby.

Survivors: Jerry was the cute, funny, mischievous son of J Doyle Kirby and Gladys Eleanor Harrington Kirby; beloved and devoted husband for 42 years of Jan Strehlo Kirby; caring and protective father to Jeffrey (Leigh), Deborah (Justin), and Matthew (Codi); game playing, movie going grandfather to Jessica, Megan, Jordan, Jennifer, Jack and Karl; gift-giving great-grandfather; father-like figure to his brother’s niece of Australia, Linda; smirk-smiling, fun uncle to many fantastic nieces and nephews; cousin, and (AKA) “Kirby” a humorous, dry-witted guy, fiercely loyal to many wonderful friends–many friendships lasting 70 years.