James "Jim" Kirby (Lebanon)'s Obituary
James “Jim” Michael Kirby, 75, of Lebanon, Missouri, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2022, surrounded by his family. He was born May 4, 1947, in Sandusky, Ohio, to the late Willard F. and Mary N. Kirby. Besides his parents, he is also preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia, of nearly 49 years.
Jim is survived by his wife of three years, Janet, of the home; two daughters, Kristin Fulton (Michael) of Fishers, Indiana and Cherie Dice of Lebanon, Missouri; one sister, Penny Gardner (Danny) of Leland, North Carolina; five grandchildren, Andy Fulton, Sarah Fulton, Annie Carter, Richard Johnson and Hannah Carter; and 6 great-grandchildren.
Jim was raised in Warrenton, Virginia, where he graduated from Fauquier High School in 1966. Shortly after high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he proudly and faithfully served for over 20 years, with many of those years as a broadcast journalist with AFN (American Forces Network Europe). During his time at AFN, he had the opportunity to meet and interview many country music stars. Shortly after retiring from the Army, he began his 20+ year career with the Civil Service, working for the Army. During his military and Civil Service careers, he served many locations in the United States, Japan, Korea, Panama and spent 17 years at various locations in Germany.
He was a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF).
Jim loved showing old cars, especially his 1941 Ford hot rod, but his main passion was music, especially country music. As a child, his interest in music began with playing the drums, following in his father’s footsteps. He then switched to the guitar and never looked back. He played in bands locally as a teenager and continued playing in bands most of his life. In 1979, he founded the Bremerhaven (Germany) Country Band, Seldom Sober (1979), and was a singer, bassist, front man and entertainer. The band celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2019 and he was there to again play with the band!
We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories he created for them during his lifetime.
Donations to honor his memory may be made to the Country Music Association Foundation (cmafoundation.org). This organization believes every child should have access to a proper music education and partners with schools and communities to make that happen.
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