PRINCETON — Joel Carson “Jake” Kirby, 66, of Princeton, died, Friday, June 29, 2012 at Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, Tenn. Born Feb. 1946, in Oakvale, he was the son of the late George M. Kirby and Clara Brown Kirby. He was a 1965 graduate of Oakvale High School and a retired U.S. Army Veteran with 27 years of service, serving in Saudia Arabia during Desert Storm in 1991 with the 304th Military Police of Bluefield. Jake was a transmission mechanic with Appalachian Power with over 30 years of service. He attended Montcalm Primitive Baptist Church for most of his life. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and above all enjoyed working on anything that had a motor. His favorite motto was, “if I can’t fix it, it aint broke.” He deeply loved and was very proud of his children and grandchildren.
Jake is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Connie; son, David Kirby of Pensacola, Fla.; daughter, Lori Goodman and husband, Joe of Johnson City, Tenn.; and two grandchildren, who were the love of his life, Brandon and Mackenzie Goodman, both of Johnson City, Tenn. Also, he survived by four brothers, Myron Kirby of Peterstown, Paul Kirby and wife, Nancy of Jacksonville, Fla., Bob Kirby and wife, Patty of Beckley, and Tom Kirby, who was like a son to him, of Princeton; along with four sisters, Carrie Hogan of Merced, Calif., Clara Dixon of Peterstown, Sue Kirby and Sandra Hatcher, both of Oakdale; his extended family, Paul and Katherine Dalton, Ann Oresta, Ray and Linda Marshall, Charlie and Brenda Wickline, and Marty and Carla Shrewsbury. Jake loved and was loved by his extended family and was like a brother to all of them.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 3, 2012 from the Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton with Tracy French and Elder Jimmy Boothe officiating. In keeping with Jake’s wishes, a full military graveside service will be conducted by the WV Honor Guards at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday from noon until the service hour at the funeral home.
Those wishing to share online condolences with the family may do so via www.memorialfd.com.
In lieu of flowers, Jake would be honored if you would make gifts to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675/ got@woundedwarrieorproject.org.
The Kirby family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton
Delbert Whitlow
July 1, 2012
Joel Carson “Jake” Kirby
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
PRINCETON — Joel Carson “Jake” Kirby, 66, of Princeton, died, Friday, June 29, 2012 at Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, Tenn. Born Feb. 1946, in Oakvale, he was the son of the late George M. Kirby and Clara Brown Kirby. He was a 1965 graduate of Oakvale High School and a retired U.S. Army Veteran with 27 years of service, serving in Saudia Arabia during Desert Storm in 1991 with the 304th Military Police of Bluefield. Jake was a transmission mechanic with Appalachian Power with over 30 years of service. He attended Montcalm Primitive Baptist Church for most of his life. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and above all enjoyed working on anything that had a motor. His favorite motto was, “if I can’t fix it, it aint broke.” He deeply loved and was very proud of his children and grandchildren.
Jake is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Connie; son, David Kirby of Pensacola, Fla.; daughter, Lori Goodman and husband, Joe of Johnson City, Tenn.; and two grandchildren, who were the love of his life, Brandon and Mackenzie Goodman, both of Johnson City, Tenn. Also, he survived by four brothers, Myron Kirby of Peterstown, Paul Kirby and wife, Nancy of Jacksonville, Fla., Bob Kirby and wife, Patty of Beckley, and Tom Kirby, who was like a son to him, of Princeton; along with four sisters, Carrie Hogan of Merced, Calif., Clara Dixon of Peterstown, Sue Kirby and Sandra Hatcher, both of Oakdale; his extended family, Paul and Katherine Dalton, Ann Oresta, Ray and Linda Marshall, Charlie and Brenda Wickline, and Marty and Carla Shrewsbury. Jake loved and was loved by his extended family and was like a brother to all of them.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 3, 2012 from the Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton with Tracy French and Elder Jimmy Boothe officiating. In keeping with Jake’s wishes, a full military graveside service will be conducted by the WV Honor Guards at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday from noon until the service hour at the funeral home.
Those wishing to share online condolences with the family may do so via www.memorialfd.com.
In lieu of flowers, Jake would be honored if you would make gifts to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675/ got@woundedwarrieorproject.org.
The Kirby family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton