Perry Kirby, Sr.

Perry Van Kirby, Sr., 77

LAFAYETTE-Funeral services for Perry Kirby of Lafayette were conducted Sunday January 16 at 2 p.m. from the Chapel of Anderson & Son Funeral Home with Elder Jimmy Claiborne officiating.  Interment, with military honors, followed in the Anderson & Son Memorial Park. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers were Mr. Kirby’s nephews.  Active pallbearers were Colton Kirby, Cody Gregory, Gary Kirby, Riley White, Nick Kirby and Smitty Schmid.

Perry Van Kirby, Sr., passed away Wednesday evening, January 12, 2011, at Sumner Regional Medical Center in Gallatin, TN at the age of 77 years, 8 months and 18 days.

Born on Tuesday, April 25, 1933 in Macon County, TN, Mr. Kirby was one of six siblings born to the late John Martin and Kate Russell Kirby.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by all five of his siblings, brothers, Floyd Kirby, Richard Kirby and Cloyd Kirby, and sisters, Gertrude White and Moline Wright.

He joined the Army as a young man and proudly served his country during the Korean conflict era.  After his return home, he married the former Barbara Smith on January 14, 1961, who survives.  He died two days before their 50th wedding anniversary.  This union was blessed with three sons. In his early life, Perry was a self employed auto mechanic specializing in selling parts and alignment of vehicles at his Kirby Auto Parts and Alignment business.  In 1975 he started teaching instruction in Auto Mechanics at the Tri County Vocational School located on the county lines of Macon, Jackson and Clay Counties.  He saw many students graduate from his classes over the years and go on to careers in mechanics.  Even though he lived most of his life without the computer technology of today, he was clever enough that he could program them and build them custom to whatever task he wanted them to do.  He was a member of the Days Cross Roads Missionary Baptist Church.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Perry and Penny Kirby, Michael and Kimberly Kirby, and Troy and Tonya Kirby; and 5 grandchildren, Kaitlin Kirby, Colton Kirby, Gregory Kirby, Miranda Kirby and Isaac Kirby, all of Lafayette, TN.

Arrangements by Anderson & Son Funeral Home in Lafayette, TN.